What does John 11:18 mean?

Explanation

John 11:18 mentions the proximate location of Bethany to Jerusalem, stating that it was "about fifteen furlongs off." A furlong is an old English unit of distance that is approximately 220 yards or 1/8 of a mile.

Therefore, fifteen furlongs would be roughly 1.875 miles or around 3 kilometers. This factual statement provides readers with a geographical orientation regarding the events about to unfold in the Gospel narrative, particularly the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

The verse functions as a bridge, connecting two important locations in the ministry and passion of Jesus Christ.

The placement of Bethany in the Gospel serves to highlight not only the physical distance from Jerusalem but also suggests a nearness to the epicenter of Jewish religious life.

This distance may have literal significance, as well as a potential metaphorical reading, emphasizing Bethany as a place of refuge or withdrawal for Jesus and His disciples, slightly removed from the tumult and opposition that He often faced in Jerusalem.

Historical Context

Bethany was a small village in the historical region of Judea during the Roman Empire.

It was located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem.

This passage is set in the final period of Jesus’ ministry.

In the Christian New Testament, Bethany is significant as a place where Jesus was known to retreat and spend time with His friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, to whom He had a close personal connection.

The proximity to Jerusalem is crucial because it was the hub of Jewish worship and the site of crucial events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse sets the stage for the miracle that follows, namely, the raising of Lazarus.

From a Christian perspective, the miracle serves as a sign of Jesus' power over death and a prefiguration of His own resurrection. The close proximity of Bethany to Jerusalem also foreshadows the events of Holy Week when Jesus would enter Jerusalem, be crucified, and later resurrected.

Some theologians also interpret the physical nearness to Jerusalem as indicative of Jesus' mission to bring spiritual renewal not just to outlying areas but to the center of Jewish religious life.

It highlights the imminence of Jesus’ transformative power at the doorstep of the religious establishment, which will be a recurring theme in the passion narrative.

Practical Applications

The mention of Bethany being close to Jerusalem can remind believers of the importance of proximity in their own spiritual lives. It may encourage them to stay close to the centers of their faith - whether that be a local church, a community, or a particular spiritual discipline.

In a broader sense, it can also be seen as a call for believers to be a presence of love and spiritual rejuvenation in places that may be resistant to change or different beliefs.

Furthermore, recognizing the places where they can find solace and rejuvenation, similar to how Jesus found friendship and rest in Bethany, can be a vital part of maintaining one’s spiritual health.

Cross-References

• John 11:1 - "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha."
• Luke 24:50 - "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them."
• Mark 11:1 - "And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,"
• John 12:1 - “Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.”
• Luke 19:29 - "And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the verse is written as "ἡ δὲ Βηθανία ἦν ἐγγὺς τῶν Ἰεροσολύμων, ὡς ἀπὸ σταδίων δεκαπέντε" (hē de Bethania ēn eggus tōn Hierosolymōn, hōs apo stadion dekapente).

The term "ἐγγὺς" (eggus) translates as "near, close to." This helps emphasize the geographical proximity.

The word "σταδίων" (stadion) is the term for "furlongs," which was a measure of distance used during the time but is equivalent to about 1/8 of a mile, as mentioned earlier.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the religious and cultural context of the Judeo-Christian tradition, geographic details like these are significant because they ground the events of the Bible in real places that could be visited and verified.

Unlike some ancient myths that utilize fantastical realms or unknown lands, biblical narratives often unfold in identifiable locations.

In the broader sense, many ancient myths and religious traditions infuse sacred geography into their narratives, sometimes designating certain cities or areas as spiritually significant.

For instance, in Greek mythology, Olympus was revered as the home of the gods.

In Hinduism, the river Ganges is considered sacred.

Unlike these, Bethany's significance is not in its inherent spirituality but in the events linked to Jesus' ministry and the interpersonal relationships He had there.

Scientific Perspectives

From a geographical and scientific standpoint, understanding the distance between locations is helped by modern measurements and mapping.

Current archaeological and geographic studies could verify the historical accounts of ancient texts such as the Bible.

By using archaeological findings and historical geography, scholars can corroborate the Biblical narrative's details with physical evidence and distances.

Commentaries

Commentators on the Book of John note that the Gospel writer carefully situates the action of the narrative in real locations to support the truth claims of the events told.

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes Bethany's position as a place where Jesus was welcomed in contrast to Jerusalem, where He faced opposition.

Biblical scholars like D.A. Carson may point out that the Evangelist, through mentioning such geographic specifics, achieves a literary function as well, building tension and preparing the reader for the Lazarus story and the consequent increase in the Jewish leaders' hostility towards Jesus.

Exegetes also note that Bethany, while being a real place, may serve a symbolic function within the Gospel as a refuge from hostility, a place where Jesus's authority and messianic identity are recognized and where the nature of discipleship, evidenced through Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, is most fully portrayed.