John 11 18

John 11:18 kjv

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

John 11:18 nkjv

Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away.

John 11:18 niv

Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem,

John 11:18 esv

Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off,

John 11:18 nlt

Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem,

John 11 verses

John 11 18 Meaning

John 11:18 provides a critical geographical detail establishing the location of Bethany, the village of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Its proximity to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs, explains why "many of the Jews" (Jn 11:19) could easily travel to mourn with the sisters, thus ensuring numerous witnesses for the subsequent miracle of Lazarus's resurrection. This seemingly minor detail is foundational for validating the public and undeniable nature of one of Jesus's most powerful signs, which profoundly impacted both believers and adversaries.

John 11 18 Context

John chapter 11 opens with Lazarus falling ill and his sisters sending for Jesus. The narrative then builds on Jesus's delayed arrival, Lazarus's death, and Jesus's profound conversations with Martha and Mary about resurrection and life. Verse 18 sets the geographical stage immediately following Lazarus's death. It provides crucial background to understand the subsequent events, particularly the influx of mourners from Jerusalem to Bethany. This detail underscores that the impending resurrection of Lazarus would not be a private, isolated event, but one witnessed by many, including those from the heart of Jewish religious authority, the city of Jerusalem itself. Historically, Jerusalem was the spiritual, economic, and political capital for Jews, drawing pilgrims and residents alike. Bethany, just a short distance away, served as a readily accessible suburban village.

John 11 18 Word analysis

• Now (δὲ - de): A conjunction indicating a transition or continuation. Here, it signals the introduction of contextual information essential to understanding the unfolding narrative. It sets the scene by providing the background details necessary for the reader to grasp the scope of the upcoming events.
• Bethany (Βηθανία - Bethania): A small village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem. Its name may derive from "house of dates" or "house of affliction," a poignant potential connection given Lazarus's death and Jesus's later anointing there before His Passion. It was a familiar and significant location for Jesus, often serving as His lodging when visiting Jerusalem.
• was (ἦν - ēn): Imperfect tense of "to be," indicating a continuous state or an established fact about Bethany's location relative to Jerusalem at that time. It underscores its fixed position.
• nigh (ἐγγὺς - eggys): Meaning "near," "close to." It emphasizes the convenient proximity, not just general nearness. This closeness is key to explaining the subsequent gathering of people.
• unto Jerusalem (εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα - eis Hierosolyma): Indicates the direction towards and destination of Jerusalem, the capital and religious center. The city held immense significance as the location of the Temple and the seat of the Sanhedrin, amplifying the public nature of any events happening nearby.
• about (ὡς - hōs): Indicates approximation. It suggests the distance was "around" or "approximately" fifteen furlongs, implying that while precise, it accounts for minor variations or typical conversational rounding of a measurement.
• fifteen furlongs (ἀπὸ σταδίων δεκαπέντε - apo stadiōn dekapente): A precise unit of measurement. A "furlong" (stadion, στάδιον) was a Greek unit of distance, roughly 600-607 feet or about 1/8 of a Roman mile. Fifteen furlongs equate to approximately 1.7-2 miles (about 2.7-3.2 kilometers). This specific measurement emphasizes the relatively short and walkable distance, making Bethany highly accessible from Jerusalem.
• off: Implicit in the distance measurement, indicating separation or removal from Jerusalem by the specified measure.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem": This phrase immediately establishes the geographical setting, highlighting the close connection between Bethany and Jerusalem. The emphasis on proximity sets the stage for the interaction between the local events in Bethany and the broader context of Jewish life and religious authority centered in Jerusalem. This proximity would make the events at Bethany easily known and discussed in Jerusalem.
• "about fifteen furlongs off": This precise (though approximate) measurement serves several key functions. First, it adds factual realism and verifiability to John's narrative, assuring the reader of its authenticity. Second, and crucially, it provides the rationale for why "many of the Jews" would travel from Jerusalem to Bethany to mourn Lazarus (Jn 11:19). The distance was not prohibitive, allowing for easy access and ensuring a multitude of witnesses for the resurrection. This close proximity also foreshadows the swift and alarmed reaction of the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem to the miracle (Jn 11:47).

John 11 18 Bonus section

The specific distance mentioned in John 11:18, while factual, also served a rhetorical purpose for John's original audience. For early believers facing skepticism or opposition, such a concrete and verifiable detail underscored the reality of Jesus's miracles. The event of Lazarus's resurrection, happening so close to Jerusalem and witnessed by many, could not easily be dismissed as a rumour or a remote, unverifiable incident. This proximity directly challenged the religious authorities in Jerusalem; the miracle was happening on their doorstep, within the sphere of their immediate influence, leaving them no room to ignore it, only to react to it. It sets up the pivotal council meeting in John 11:47 where the religious leaders openly acknowledge Jesus's "many signs" and debate how to suppress His growing influence.

John 11 18 Commentary

John 11:18, though brief and seemingly a simple geographical notation, is strategically placed to underpin the credibility and significance of Lazarus's resurrection. It is not merely descriptive; it is foundational to understanding the scope and impact of the miracle. By establishing Bethany's proximity to Jerusalem (roughly a 30-45 minute walk), John sets the scene for a public event, not a private spectacle. This short distance ensured that the news of Lazarus's death and later, his restoration to life, could easily travel to the bustling city. Consequently, the mourners from Jerusalem, mentioned immediately in the next verse (Jn 11:19), were not incidental observers but critical witnesses, confirming the profound nature of Jesus's power over death. Their presence meant that many eyes saw Lazarus die and witnessed his emergence from the tomb. This public testimony strengthened belief in Jesus for many (Jn 11:45) and simultaneously heightened the alarm among the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem, ultimately solidifying their resolve to have Jesus killed (Jn 11:47-53). Thus, this seemingly small detail concerning geography profoundly shapes the narrative's tension, credibility, and ultimate climax.