Encyclopedia entry
Bethany
Disambiguation
The source enumerates 2 distinct subjects under Bethany. Jump to one below, or read in order.
House of dates.
Bethany (1)
#The Revised Version in John 1:28 has this word instead of Bethabara, on the authority of the oldest manuscripts. It appears to have been the name of a place on the east of Jordan.
Bethany (2)
#A village on the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives (Mark 11:1), about 2 miles east of Jerusalem, on the road to Jericho. It derived its name from the number of palm-trees which grew there. It was the residence of Lazarus and his sisters. It is frequently mentioned in connection with memorable incidents in the life of our Lord (Matt. 21:17; 26:6; Mark 11:11, 12; 14:3; Luke 24:50; John 11:1; 12:1). It is now known by the name of el-Azariyeh, i.e., “place of Lazarus,” or simply Lazariyeh. Seen from a distance, the village has been described as “remarkably beautiful, the perfection of retirement and repose, of seclusion and lovely peace.” Now a mean village, containing about twenty families.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
In the Revised Version for Bethabara, (John 1:28) where Jesus was baptized by John. It was probably an obscure village near Bethabara, and in time its name faded out and was replaced by the larger and more important Bethabara.
(house of dates, or house of misery), a village which, scanty as are the notices of it contained in Scripture, is more intimately associated in our minds than perhaps any other place with the most familiar acts and scenes of the last days of the life of Christ. It was situated “at” the Mount of Olives, (Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29) about fifteen stadia (furlongs, i.e. 1 1/2 or 2 miles) from Jerusalem (John 11:18) on or near the usual road From Jericho to the city, (Luke 19:29) comp. Mark 11:1 comp. Mark 10:46 And close by the west(?) of another village called Bethphage, the two being several times mentioned together. Bethany was the home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus, and is now known by a name derived from Lazarus—el-Azariyeh or Lazarieh . It lies on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, fully a mile beyond the summit, and not very far from the point at which the road to Jericho begins its more sudden descent towards the Jordan valley. El-’Azariyeh is a ruinous and wretched village, a wild mountain hamlet of some twenty families. Bethany has been commonly explained “house of dates,” but it more probably signifies “house of misery.” H. Dixon, “Holy Land,” ii. 214, foll.
In the Bible
12
Verses where Bethany is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- John 1:28
All this happened at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
- John 11:1
At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
- John 11:18
Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, a little less than two miles away,
- John 12:1
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
- Luke 19:29
As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent out two of His disciples,
- Luke 24:50
When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
+6 more verses naming Bethany.
Scripture on Bethany
10
See all 10 +−
Entries that reference Bethany
19
Bethany references
17
More illustrations of Bethany
3
Brooklyn Museum - Jesus Goes in the Evening to Bethany (Jésus va le soir à Béthanie) - James Tissot
James Tissot
Brooklyn Museum - Jesus Mary Magdalene and Martha at Bethany (Jésus à Bethanie Marie Madeleine et Marthe) - James Tissot
James Tissot
Brooklyn Museum - Jerusalem South-East Corner Taken from the Road to Bethany - James Tissot
James Tissot
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_-_James_Tissot.jpg)
Voices on Bethany
10
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869) · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.