The Town of Bethany

The town of Bethany is mentioned several times in the Bible. It is located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, only about two miles southeast of Jerusalem or about a fifty-minute walk. However, because Bethany sat at the foot of the mountain, the people there could not see Jerusalem. Therefore, the town had an air of seclusion about it, almost like a retreat.

Bethany is perhaps best-known as the home of Jesus' friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He often stayed in their home as he traveled to and from Jerusalem. Luke 10:38-42 tells of one such time when Mary sat at Jesus' feet to hear what he had to say while Martha worked hard to prepare a good meal and make her guests feel welcome. And you may remember that Bethany was also the setting of one of the great miracles in the Bible when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

There are also several minor references to Bethany. However, another important event happened at Simon the Leper's home in Bethany. A woman identified as Mary in John 12:3 anointed him with expensive perfume from an alabaster vase. This foretold of his coming death and burial, but he would also arise. And the final event in Jesus' earthly life also came at Bethany when he blessed the disciples and ascended into heaven from there. 

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