John 11:18

Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

Now {G1161} Bethany {G963} was {G2258} nigh {G1451} unto Jerusalem {G2414}, about {G5613} fifteen {G1178} furlongs {G4712} off {G575}:

Now Beit-Anyah was about two miles from Yerushalayim,

Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, a little less than two miles away,

Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off;

John 11:18 provides a crucial geographical detail, setting the scene for one of Jesus Christ's most profound miracles: the resurrection of Lazarus. This verse precisely locates Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, in relation to Jerusalem, emphasizing its close proximity.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of Lazarus's death and Jesus's decision to go to Bethany. The detail that "Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off" (approximately two miles or three kilometers) is not incidental. Its closeness to the capital city meant that news of Lazarus's illness and death, and subsequently Jesus's arrival, would quickly spread. Many mourners, including prominent individuals, would travel from Jerusalem to offer condolences, thereby becoming potential witnesses to the extraordinary event that was about to unfold. This proximity is vital for understanding the large crowd that gathered and later testified to the miracle, as described in John 11:45.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Geographical Precision: John's Gospel often includes specific topographical and chronological details, lending historical credibility to its accounts. This verse highlights the factual, verifiable nature of the events surrounding Jesus's ministry.
  • Public Witness: The short distance between Bethany and Jerusalem ensured that the impending miracle of Lazarus's resurrection would not be a private affair but would have numerous witnesses from the Jewish religious and political center. This public verification was crucial for the Gospel's message and for demonstrating Jesus's divine power. The presence of many mourners from Jerusalem underscores the impact of the event, as seen in John 12:9.

Linguistic Insights

The term "furlongs" in the KJV is a translation of the Greek word stadia (στάδια), which refers to a unit of distance. One stadion was roughly 600-606 feet, or about 1/8 of a Roman mile. Therefore, fifteen furlongs would be approximately 1.875 miles (or about 3 kilometers). This precise measurement underscores the factual nature of John's narrative and provides a clear sense of the travel involved in ancient Judea.

Practical Application

Even seemingly small geographical details in the Bible can carry significant meaning. This verse reminds us that God's redemptive work often unfolds in specific, verifiable locations and circumstances, not in hidden corners. The emphasis on Bethany's closeness to Jerusalem underscores the importance of a credible witness to divine acts. For believers, it reinforces the historical grounding of the Gospel narratives and the reality of Jesus's miracles, inviting us to consider how God's truth is displayed openly for all to see, much like the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 14:20

    And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs.

  • John 6:19

    So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

  • John 11:1

    ¶ Now a certain [man] was sick, [named] Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

  • Revelation 21:16

    And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

  • Luke 24:13

    ¶ And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem [about] threescore furlongs.

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