Lazarus
Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, a little less than two miles away, John 11:18 · Berean Standard Bible
Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem.
This explains why so many people from Jerusalem were there mourning. It also means news of what's about to happen will travel fast to the religious leaders.
The narrator gives a geographical detail that helps explain the large crowd.
Two miles from Jerusalem means two miles from the people who want Jesus dead. What happens here won't stay quiet for long.
John provides the geographical note that Bethany was approximately fifteen stadia (about two miles) from Jerusalem, explaining the presence of many Jerusalem mourners.
The proximity to Jerusalem ensures many witnesses to the miracle—both sympathetic and hostile. The Jerusalem Jews who witness this will divide: some will believe, others will report to the Pharisees (11:45-46).
The narrator supplies a geographical detail that explains the large crowd of mourners.
The closeness to Jerusalem has dual significance: it explains the crowd of mourners and ensures the miracle will quickly reach the ears of the hostile authorities.
16Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”
17When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already spent four days in the tomb.
18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, a little less than two miles away,
19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them in the loss of their brother.
20So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home.
Read all of John 11 — Jesus weeps at a tomb. Then He calls a dead man out of it. The shortest verse in the Bible and the most powerful — separated by minutes.
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