Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany. He died and was raised from the dead by Jesus Christ, as recounted in Saint John's Gospel (John 11: 1-45). Mary and Martha had sent messages to Jesus, begging him to come and save their sick brother's life. But he delayed visiting them until four days after Lazarus had been put in the tomb. Having been taken to the tomb by Mary and Martha, Jesus commanded that the tomb be opened, despite Martha's protest that there would be the smell of putrefaction. Once the stone had been removed from the entrance, Christ ordered Lazarus to come forth, and the dead man, still in his shroud, emerged from the tomb, having been restored to life.