If resurrected people can’t die again, what about Lazarus?

by Matt Slick

Lazarus was not resurrected in his glorified body.  He was simply resurrected.  Jesus was the first-fruits of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20,23; Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5), meaning he was the first raised in a glorified body (1 Cor. 15:42-44).  Jesus retained the crucifixion wounds (John 20:27) and was able to appear in rooms (John 20:26), demonstrating that he was in his resurrected, glorified body.  Remember, Lazarus had been raised from the dead by Jesus (John 11:43; 12:1) and is presumed to have died since the chief priests plotted to kill him (John 12:10).  Also, Jesus was raised after Lazarus, but only Jesus is called the first-fruits and first-born from the dead (Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5).  Therefore, the term ‘first-fruits’ signifies Jesus’ resurrected, glorified body, something that Lazarus didn’t have.

Therefore, after the return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead, we will not be able to die again because we will be raised in glorified bodies.

1 Cor. 15:42-44, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”