How does John 11:18 connect with other instances of Jesus visiting Bethany? The Verse in Focus “Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, a distance of about two miles.” (John 11:18) Bethany on the Map • Roughly two miles (about three kilometers) east of Jerusalem, just over the Mount of Olives • Close enough for frequent travel, yet far enough to offer a quiet refuge away from the city’s bustle • This nearness explains why Jerusalem crowds could quickly gather at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:19, 31) Bethany as a Relationship Hub • Luke 10:38-42 – First recorded visit: “Jesus entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.” (v. 38) – Here He teaches Mary and Martha, establishing a friendship that frames every later visit. • John 11 (our chapter) – Friendship becomes public ministry: raising Lazarus points unmistakably to His divine power and prefigures His own resurrection. • John 12:1-2 – “Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was… They gave a dinner for Him there.” – The dinner celebrates the miracle of John 11 and sets the stage for Passion Week. Bethany and Acts of Devotion • John 12:3 – Mary anoints Jesus’ feet: “The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” – A loving response to His earlier compassion in John 11:18-44. • Mark 14:3-9 retells the anointing, stressing the prophetic nature of Mary’s act—preparing His body for burial. Bethany as Launch Point for the Triumphal Entry • Mark 11:1 – “When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives…” – From Bethany, Jesus mounts the colt and rides into Jerusalem, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. • Matthew 21:17 – After cleansing the temple, “He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night.” – Bethany remains His nightly retreat during Passion Week, underscoring the village’s role as a place of welcome and rest. Bethany after the Resurrection • Luke 24:50-51 – “He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.” – The ascension from Bethany crowns the village’s history with Jesus, turning it into the transition point between His earthly and exalted ministries. • Acts 1:12 confirms the location: “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away.” Putting It Together John 11:18’s brief note on Bethany’s proximity is more than geography. It ties each Bethany scene into a single narrative arc: 1. A home of friendship (Luke 10) 2. A stage for resurrection power (John 11) 3. A place of costly worship (John 12; Mark 14) 4. The launchpad for royal entry and nightly refuge (Mark 11; Matthew 21) 5. The site of ascension blessing (Luke 24; Acts 1) Across every visit, Bethany functions as Jesus’ chosen space for intimacy, revelation, preparation, and transition—showing how a small village two miles from Jerusalem became central to the greatest redemptive events in history. |
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