Lazarus sleepeth - Is dead. The word “sleep” is applied to death,
- Because of the resemblance between them, as sleep is the “kinsman of death.” In this sense it is often used by pagan writers.
- However, in the Scriptures it is used to intimate that death will not be final: that there will be an awaking out of this sleep, or a resurrection. It is a beautiful and tender expression, removing all that is dreadful in death, and filling the mind with the idea of calm repose after a life of toil, with a reference to a future resurrection in increased vigor and renovated powers. In this sense it is applied in the Scriptures usually to the saints, 1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1Th 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; Matthew 9:24.