Bethphage, a village of significant biblical importance, is mentioned in the New Testament in connection with the final days of Jesus Christ's earthly ministry. The name "Bethphage" is derived from the Aramaic, meaning "house of unripe figs," which may indicate the agricultural nature of the area.

Geographical Location:
Bethphage is located on the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. It is often mentioned alongside Bethany, another village on the Mount of Olives, suggesting proximity between the two. The exact location of Bethphage is not definitively known today, but it is traditionally placed on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, along the road leading from Jericho to Jerusalem.

Biblical References:
Bethphage is primarily noted in the context of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event that marks the beginning of the Passion Week. The Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—each mention Bethphage in their accounts of this event.

· Matthew 21:1-2 : "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples, saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me.'"

· Mark 11:1-2 : "As they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two of His disciples and said to them, 'Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.'"

· Luke 19:29-30 : "As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying, 'Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.'"

Theological Significance:
Bethphage holds theological significance as the starting point of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, which speaks of a king coming to Jerusalem "righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This event is celebrated in Christianity as Palm Sunday, marking Jesus' public declaration of His messianic identity.

The choice of Bethphage as the location for acquiring the donkey and colt underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and highlights Jesus' deliberate actions in orchestrating the events leading to His crucifixion and resurrection. The village serves as a backdrop for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the cultural and historical context of first-century Judea, Bethphage would have been a small, agrarian community. Its mention in the Gospels, alongside Bethany, suggests it was a place familiar to Jesus and His disciples, possibly serving as a waypoint for pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for religious festivals.

Bethphage's proximity to Jerusalem made it a strategic location for Jesus' entry into the city, allowing Him to approach the capital in a manner that would capture the attention of the populace and religious authorities. The village's role in the Passion narrative highlights the interconnectedness of geography, prophecy, and divine purpose in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.967. Bethphage -- "house of unripe figs," Bethphage, a village on ...
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//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/967.htm - 6kBeth-phage (3 Occurrences)
Beth-phage. Beth'phage, Beth-phage. Bethphelet . Easton's Bible Dictionary
House of the unripe fig, a village on the Mount of Olives ...
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Beth'phage (3 Occurrences)
Beth'phage. Bethphage, Beth'phage. Beth-phage . Multi-Version Concordance
Beth'phage (3 Occurrences). Matthew 21:1 And when they ...
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Bethphage (3 Occurrences)

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Mountain (298 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:1 And when they were near Jerusalem, and had come to Beth-phage,
to the Mountain of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, (BBE). ...
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Bethphelet (1 Occurrence)

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Named (428 Occurrences)
... Luke 19:29 And it came about that when he got near Beth-phage and Bethany by the
mountain which is named the Mountain of Olives, he sent two of the disciples ...
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