Bible Trivia - 4/2/2008

Question: How long had Lazarus been in the tomb when Jesus brought him back to life?

Answer: 4 days. (John 11:17)

Comments: There has been some speculation that the significance of the four days relates to the rabbinical tradition that the soul hovers around its former body for three days in hopes of a reunion, but takes its final departure when it notices that the body has entered a state of decomposition. (e.g. William Hendriksen (1900-1982), Exposition of the Gospel according to John (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1961), II, p. 146.) If this is the case, the four day interval would force the religious leaders to attest of an actual resurrection.

This belief is first documented in the early 2nd century but could have existed at the time of Jesus. It is attributed Bar Kappara, a Jewish rabbi who was active in Caesarea from around 180 to 220 CE, during the period between the tannaim and amoraim. It is recorded in Leviticus Rabbah 18.1:

"Bar Kappara taught: Until three days [after death] the sould keeps on returning to the grave, thinking it will go back [into the body]; but when it sees that the facial features have become disfigured, it departs and abandons it [the body]." (Leviticus Rabbah 18:1)

Some scholars also cite Mishnah Yevamot 16:3 to support this belief.

"They must not give evidence [of identity in respect of a dead man] except on [proof afforded by] the full face with the nose, even though there were also marks on its body or on its clothing. No evidence [of a man's death] must be given before his soul has departed, even though they saw him with his arteries cut or crucified or being devoured by a wild beast. They must give evidence [of identification] only during the first three days [after the death. After this period the decay of the corpse makes identification impossible or uncertain.]. . ." (Mishnah Yevamot 16:3).