Lazare, du mort vivant au disciple bien-aimé. (Le cycle et la trajectoire narrative de Lazare dans le quatrième Évangile)

Abstract

This study presents a new interpretation of the story of the resurrection of Lazarus (John 1 1) and consequently tries to build the narrative trajectory of this character in the Johannine Gospel. Two literary features, common to other Christian and classical texts, characterize the story of the resurrection of Lazarus : delayed action and anti-climax. They manifest the resurrection of Lazarus as unfulfilled and make the fulfilment below necessary. The fulfilled resurrection of Lazarus is made effective both above and below by means of some thematic and stylistic features which subtly unite the characters of John, Lazarus and the beloved disciple. The narrative transformation of Lazarus into the beloved disciple, especially constitutes the accession of a new type of disciple : the intimate man which, from the beginning and as far as writing, bears testimony to his own living experience of Jesus.