The Bible depicts two characters named "Lazarus", who have sometimes been confused historically. The most recognized character is that of Lazarus of Bethany, also known as Saint Lazarus or Lazarus of the Four Days, who was a friend of Jesus, the brother of Martha and Mary. The miracle of Jesus in the Gospel of John, by which Jesus revives Lazarus four days after his death (John 11). [2] In the various stories about this character, he is sometimes invested as an apostle, or a bishop. This particular version of "Lazarus" has been used frequently in science and popular culture in reference to its apparent restoration to life, including forming the main plot of the film, "The Lazarus Effect".

In the Gospels we hear the story of two different men named Lazarus. One is raised from the dead by Jesus and the other is featured in a story about poor Lazarus and an unnamed rich man.

The second Lazarus is the patron of lepers and the patron against leprosy. We meet it in the Gospel account of the rich man and Lazarus, where a rich man dined richly dressed in finery, while outside his very house sat Lazarus starving and covered with sores. After both men died, the rich man was tormented in his suffering and called on Abraham to send Lazarus to help him, or if not him, his brothers. Abraham said it couldn't be done because of the chasm between the saved and the damned. A religious community named the Order of Saint Lazarus is named after Saint Lazarus. Their mission is to care for leprosy patients.

Lazarus, of whom the Gospel speaks, is depicted as a beggar without resources, covered with wounds; with dogs that lick his wounds.

Saint Lazare converting many people to Christianity there, he became the first bishop of Marseille. During the persecution of Domitian, he was imprisoned and beheaded in a cave under the Saint-Lazare prison. His body was then transferred to Autun, where he was buried in the cathedral of Autun, dedicated to Lazare under the name of Saint Lazare.

Saint Lazarus therefore, even undeniably ancient and legitimate house orders like the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George or the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, among many, many others, are not formally recognized by the Vatican.

At the beginning of the 12th century, perhaps by confusion of names, it was believed in Autun that the tomb of Saint Lazare was in the cathedral dedicated to Saint Nazaire. A search was made and remains were discovered, which were solemnly translated and were regarded as those of him whom Christ raised from the dead, but it was not deemed necessary to inquire why they should be found in France.

The account of Jesus raising Lazarus only appears in the Gospel of John, the Gospel that focuses most heavily on Jesus as the Son of God. Lazarus served as an instrument for Jesus to provide indisputable proof that he was the Saviour.