Bethany
βηθανια
Bethany
was a small village approximately two (2) miles from Jerusalem. Bethany was
situated on the southeast slope of the Mount of Olives on what is known as the
Jericho Road. Its meaning is not certain. It means either “house of dates” or “house
of misery.”
Bethany
was the home of Simon the Leper (Mark 14:3) and Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:18.) Jesus usually spent the
night in Bethany when He traveled to Jerusalem (Matthew 21:17; Mark
11:11) The New
Testament records for us the fact that Jesus was received into and entertained
in the home of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42.)
It
was at Bethany that Jesus performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the
dead. While dining in the home of Simon the Leper Jesus was anointed with
costly oil by Mary (Matthew 26:6-13.)
The
ascension of Jesus into heaven is usually located at or near Bethany based on
Luke 24:50:
“Then he led them out as
far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, He blessed them.”
Acts
1:6-12 seems to suggest the ascension took place on the Mount of Olives. Of course geographically this could possibly
include Bethany. It is possible that the
traditional site of the Mount of Olives is the correct location.
Today,
Bethany is called el-Azariyeh. This is a corrupted version of “Lazarus.”
Tourists are shown a tomb that is thought to be where Lazarus had been buried
and from where Jesus called him out of the dead. Tourists are shown a “ruin”
that is supposedly the very house of Mary and Martha.
__________________________________________
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. G. W. Bromiley, p. 463
This was a lovely B post Gregg.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago I saw a TV programme about a place in the UK called Glastonbury.....you may have heard of it as it has a yearly festival world renown.
Well the presenter said that in the days when Jesus was a boy he and his uncle Joseph of Arramethia
(hope I spelt it right) visited Glastonbury coming along the channel nearby. It is also rumoured that The Virgin Mary is buried beneath Glastonbury Tor.
I thought it interesting as we at the time lived not far away.
Yvonne.
Very interesting post, Gregg. Looking forward to your A-Z's.
ReplyDeleteHouse of Dates or House of Misery...such a contrast in translations! ☺
ReplyDeleteHave you visited Bethany and seen the ruins? Alas, I have not traveled there. Excellent 'B' word for the Challenge. Happy Monday, Gregg! ☺
Excellent B post, Gregg. Always learning something new here.
ReplyDeleteIt is always so interesting to learn about the origin of names, especially in the Bible. Great post.
ReplyDeleteNever knew any of that, very informative.
ReplyDeletePerfect post for the Lenten Season:)
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
This will be fun to see the various historical aspects unfold alphabetically. :-) Nicely done.
ReplyDeletehttp://bloggitwrite-a-z.blogspot.com/2012/04/b-babys-breath.html
What an uplifting place you have made online.
ReplyDeleteI think I prefer House of Dates.
ReplyDeleteLee
Places I Remember
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
I will forward this post to my friend Bethany :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Gregg.
Doris