Lexical Summary Béthphagé: Bethphage Original Word: Βηθφαγή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bethphage. Of Chaldee origin (compare bayith and pag); fig-house; Beth-phage, a place in Palestine -- Bethphage. see HEBREW bayith see HEBREW pag NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Aramaic origin Definition "house of unripe figs," Bethphage, a village on the Mt. of Olives NASB Translation Bethphage (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 967: ΒηθφαγήΒηθφαγή (but Lachmann uniformly, Treg. in Matt. and Mark and R G in Matt. Βηθφαγή (Buttmann, 15; Winers Grammar, 52 (51); cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 103); in Matthew 21:1 Tdf. edition 7 Βηθσφαγή), ἡ, indeclinable (from בֵּית and פַּג house of unripe figs), Bethphage, the name of a country-seat or hamlet (Eusebius calls it κώμη, Jeromevillula), on the Mount of Olives, near Bethany: Matthew 21:1; Mark 11:1 R G Tr text WH text, but Tr marginal reading in brackets; Luke 19:29. (BB. DD. under the word.) Topical Lexicon Name and Location Bethphage was a small village situated on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, lying between Bethany and Jerusalem and overlooking the Kidron Valley. Because it bordered the Sabbath‐day travel limit for pilgrims approaching Jerusalem, it served as a customary staging point for worshipers heading to the Temple. Biblical Context Bethphage appears three times in the Gospel record, always in connection with the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ (Matthew 21:1; Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29). In each account the village functions as the place where the Lord directs two disciples to procure the colt upon which He will ride into Jerusalem. Matthew specifies both a donkey and her colt (Matthew 21:2–5), highlighting the exact fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. Prophetic Significance The events at Bethphage stand at the crossroads of promise and fulfillment. By instructing His disciples from this village, Jesus intentionally signals that He is the promised “King… humble and mounted on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). The Gospel writers note the immediate obedience of the animal’s owners and the spontaneous acclaim of the crowds, showing that divine sovereignty governed every detail foretold centuries earlier. Historical-Geographical Details First-century Jewish sources associate Bethphage with the outer limit of the city’s sacred precincts. Tradition indicates that pilgrims coming for Passover would often pause there for ceremonial purification before entering Jerusalem. The modern site is generally identified near the present-day Orthodox and Franciscan chapels on the ridge of the Mount of Olives. Symbolic and Theological Themes 1. Messianic Kingship: From Bethphage the true Son of David begins His public proclamation of kingship, yet in meekness rather than militaristic triumph. Lessons for Ministry Today • Strategic Preparation: Like Christ arranging for the colt at Bethphage, effective ministry wisely plans for both practical logistics and prophetic purpose. Intertextual Connections Isaiah 62:11 anticipates a proclamation to “Daughter Zion,” echoed in Matthew’s citation. Psalm 118:25–26 provides the “Hosanna” refrain shouted along the route beginning at Bethphage. The setting also recalls Genesis 22, where Abraham ascended Mount Moriah from the eastern side, prefiguring the greater sacrifice soon to take place in Jerusalem. See Also Zechariah 9:9; John 12:12–16; Psalm 118:22–26; Mount of Olives; Triumphal Entry Forms and Transliterations Βηθφαγη Βηθφαγὴ Bethphage Bethphagḕ Bēthphagē BēthphagḕLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 21:1 NGRK: ἦλθον εἰς Βηθφαγὴ εἰς τὸ NAS: and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount KJV: were come to Bethphage, unto the mount INT: came to Bethphage on the Mark 11:1 N Luke 19:29 N |
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