The statement that Lazarus had been buried four days before is to affirm the certainty of his death. Jewish rabbis held the belief that the soul hovered near the body for three days, but after that there was no hope for restoration of life.

In Greek, Lazarus is literally “he,” but several modern translations make the reference explicit. Revised Standard Version does so by way of a note indicating that the Greek has “he.” A footnote is unnecessary, however, since the meaning can be handled translationally.

He found that must be rendered in some languages “he learned that,” while the passive expression Lazarus had been buried four days before must be changed in some languages to an active one, for example, “people had put Lazarus in a tomb four days before.” However, in some languages it would be improper to speak of “putting Lazarus in the tomb”; it is necessary to say “put the body of Lazarus in a tomb,” to avoid the impression that Lazarus was put in a tomb while he was still alive.

It is essential in choosing a word for buried to indicate that Lazarus was not put beneath the ground in a grave, but rather was placed in a kind of cave. Otherwise, the miracle of his resurrection and coming forth from the tomb would be even more astounding, and, of course, quite inconsistent with what occurs later in this same chapter.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .