Bethany

Bethany is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) east of Jerusalem, on the road to Jericho. It got its name, which means house of dates, from the number of palm-trees that grew there.

Bethany is perhaps best-known from the story of Lazarus (John 11:1-44). Jesus often visited his good friend Lazarus, and his sisters Martha and Mary, at their home in Bethany. Jesus performed the miracle of raising Lazarus back from the dead at a tomb near the village.

Bethany also played a part in a number of other major events in the life of Jesus Christ:

• The Triumphal Entry in which Jesus rode the Donkey into Jerusalem began from Bethphage and Bethany (Mark 11:1-10). Jesus returned that night, along with the Twelve, to Bethany (Mark 11:11)

• The next day, after Jesus overturned the tables of the money-changers in the Temple area (Matthew 21:12-13), He returned again to Bethany where He spent the night with The Twelve. (Matthew 21:17)

• The incident of Jesus cursing the Fig Tree that had no fruit was at Bethany. (Mark 11:12-14)

• Another well-known event in Bethany was when Jesus was anointed by the lady with a jar of expensive perfume. (Matthew 26:6-13). See A Prophecy To You.

Today, Bethany is a small village known as el-Azariyeh, meaning place of Lazarus, or simply Lazariyeh.

Fact Finder: After His Resurrection, from what place on the Mount of Olives did Jesus' ascension into heaven take place?
Luke 24:50-51