Bethany was a village that played a key role in Jesus’ ministry, hosting significant events in His life. Today, let’s explore what the Bible says about Bethany and its importance in the Gospel stories.
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What Does The Bible Say About Bethany
John 11:1-3
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
This verse introduces us to Bethany, a village where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. It gives us a glimpse into their close relationship with Jesus and their confidence in His power to heal. It also foreshadows the miracle Jesus is about to perform in raising Lazarus from the dead.
John 11:5-6
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
Here, we see Jesus’ deep love for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, yet He chooses to delay His response to their cry for help. This passage reminds us that God’s timing is not always aligned with our own, but His delays are not indications of His lack of love or concern. In His perfect wisdom, Jesus had a greater plan in mind for the miracle that was about to unfold.
John 11:17
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
Jesus arrives in Bethany to find that Lazarus has been dead for four days. This detail emphasizes the magnitude of the miracle that is about to take place. It showcases Jesus’ power to overcome even the finality of death and reveals His authority over life itself.
John 11:21-22
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
Martha’s words express her faith in Jesus’ ability to bring about resurrection even in the face of death. Despite her grieving heart, she holds onto the belief that Jesus has the power to intercede and change their circumstances. This declaration foreshadows the faith-filled encounter that is about to unfold.
John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
These powerful words from Jesus solidify His identity as the source of resurrection and eternal life. He offers a radical invitation to believe in Him, promising that those who do will experience eternal life even beyond physical death. Jesus poses this question to Martha, prompting her and each one of us to examine our own faith and trust in Him.
John 11:33
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
This verse showcases Jesus’ profound compassion as He witnesses the sorrow and mourning of those in Bethany. His response is not detached or impassive but rather deeply moved and troubled. Jesus identifies with the grief of His friends and reveals His heart of love and empathy.
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
Two short words with immense meaning. Jesus, the Son of God, weeps. This simple act of shedding tears highlights Jesus’ humanity and His capacity to deeply experience and share in our pain. It reminds us that our Savior understands and empathizes with our emotions, offering comfort and companionship in times of grief.
John 11:38-39
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
This passage depicts Jesus’ decisive action as He commands them to remove the stone covering Lazarus’ tomb. It showcases His authority over death and reveals that He seeks the cooperation of those around Him in bringing about the miracle. Jesus’ command challenges us to remove the barriers in our own lives, allowing Him to work miraculously in our midst.
John 11:40
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Jesus reminds Martha, and us, of the necessity of faith in experiencing God’s glory and miraculous works. This powerful statement is a call to trust in His words and promises, even when circumstances seem impossible or hopeless. It invites us to shift our focus from the constraints of our reality to the limitless possibilities that faith in Christ unlocks.
John 12:1-2
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
This passage highlights the aftermath of the miracle, as Jesus returns to Bethany to share a meal with Lazarus and his family. It showcases the gratitude and celebration that follow the display of God’s power. The mention of Martha serving and Lazarus reclining at the table with Jesus demonstrates their renewed life and fellowship with their Savior.
John 12:3
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
This verse depicts the act of extravagant worship performed by Mary, as she pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. Her expression of devotion and reverence fills the atmosphere with the sweet aroma of her sacrificial offering. Mary’s actions remind us of the power of giving our best to the Lord, uninhibited by societal expectations or monetary value.
John 12:9-11
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
This passage reveals the fear and jealousy of the chief priests as news of Lazarus’ resurrection spreads, leading many Jews to believe in Jesus. The threat posed by Lazarus’ living testimony propels the religious leaders to plot his death as well. It highlights the stark difference between those who embrace the truth of Jesus’ power and those who oppose it due to their own self-interest and pride.
Mark 11:1-2
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.”
In this verse, Jesus instructs his disciples to go ahead to Bethphage and Bethany to find a colt that He will ride into Jerusalem. It demonstrates Jesus’ authority and foreknowledge, as He predicts the location and condition of a specific colt. This event foreshadows Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the acknowledgment of His kingship.
Mark 14:3-4
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?”
While in Bethany, Jesus is anointed by a woman with a jar of expensive perfume. The act of pouring out this precious substance on Jesus’ head is criticized by those present, seeing it as a waste. However, it symbolizes the woman’s unreserved adoration and recognition of Jesus’ worthiness. It challenges us to examine our own willingness to give sacrificially and wholeheartedly in our worship of Him.
Mark 14:5-6
“It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
In response to the criticism of the woman anointing Him, Jesus rebukes those who rebuke her. He defends her actions, acknowledging the beauty and significance of her act of worship. Jesus values the heart behind our offerings more than societal expectations or opinions. It is a reminder to prioritize and honor our relationship with Him above all else.
Mark 14:8
She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.
Jesus affirms the woman’s actions, recognizing her genuine expression of love and devotion. He explains that she has anointed Him in preparation for His burial, highlighting her deep understanding of His mission and sacrificial death. This verse invites us to consider how we can use our own abilities and resources to honor and prepare the way for Christ in our lives.
Mark 14:9
Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.
In declaring the significance of the woman’s anointing, Jesus prophesies that her act of devotion will be remembered and retold wherever the gospel is proclaimed. This passage reminds us of the timeless impact of acts of worship and service done in love for Jesus. It encourages us to live in a way that leaves a lasting legacy, pointing others to the beauty of Christ.
Mark 16:1-2
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb.
In the context of the resurrection, this verse mentions that Mary Magdalene and others are from Bethany and had gone to purchase spices in preparation to anoint Jesus’ body. It underscores their deep love and commitment to Jesus, even in the face of His death. It sets the stage for the remarkable events that are about to unfold.
Luke 10:38-39
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
This verse introduces the familiar story of Martha and Mary in Bethany. Martha is characterized as one who offers hospitality, while Mary is portrayed as one who sits at Jesus’ feet, eager to listen and learn from Him. This passage invites us to consider the balance between service and spending time in intimate fellowship with Jesus.
Luke 10:41-42
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus responds to Martha’s frustration with Mary’s choice to prioritize sitting at His feet. He gently redirects Martha’s focus from busyness and worry to the one thing that truly matters—relationship with Him. This verse serves as a reminder to prioritize our time and attention on cultivating a deep, intimate connection with Jesus, which is of eternal value.
Luke 19:28-30
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.”
In this passage, Jesus sends His disciples to Bethphage and Bethany to retrieve a colt for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It showcases Jesus’ divine knowledge and demonstrates His sovereignty over all things, even down to the specific details. This event marks a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry and sets the stage for His ultimate sacrifice on the cross.