Bethany

Bethany means “house of figs” or “house of suffering.” It was a small village west of the Jordan River, located on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives, about six stadia (about 1.2 kilometers) east of Jerusalem. It was situated on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, surrounded by green hills, plateaus, and lively olive trees. Travelers on their way to Jerusalem often rested here. During His passion week, Jesus would leave the city each evening to stay in Bethany (Mark 11:11, 19; Luke 21:37, 22:39).

In Jerusalem, Jesus was repeatedly rejected by the Jewish leaders, but in Bethany, He was warmly welcomed by those who loved Him. There lived a family of three siblings—Martha, Mary, and Lazarus—who loved the Lord with pure hearts. It was here that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and healed Simon the leper. In gratitude, Simon held a banquet at his home for Jesus and His disciples. At this very banquet, Mary, who loved the Lord deeply, seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pour out a flask of very expensive pure nard ointment on Jesus’ head, an act of eternal beauty (Matthew 26:6-7).

Although Jesus had no place to lay His head on Earth and was constantly being sought by those who wanted to arrest Him, through His resurrection life, He found a home in the obscure little village of Bethany—a place where He could have fellowship, rest, and be satisfied. Therefore, this banqueting house of Bethany serves as a small picture of what a healthy church community should be, depicting the true state of the church.

(Edited and compiled based on the Chinese Union Version Bible, Holy Light Biblical Geography, and Comprehensive Biblical Interpretation)