Verse 43
And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
With a loud voice ... This was not merely to awaken Lazarus but to enable the multitude to connect the cry with the raising of Lazarus. It is written that there will be a mighty "shout" at the final resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Come forth ... The final resurrection will be accomplished upon the pronouncement of this very command (John 5:20). The fact of Jesus so long previous to this sign having given the very words that he would use in doing such a wonder is very significant. This was Jesus' greatest wonder, aside from his own resurrection.
Lazarus ... Why this use of Lazarus' name? The best comment on this ever heard by this writer was that of the country preacher in Texas who said, "If the Lord had not specified the one to be raised, Jesus' powerful command, `Come forth,' would have raised all the dead on earth; and it was not time for that!"
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