John 11:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off,

NIV: Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem,

NASB: Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away;

CSB: Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away).

NLT: Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem,

KJV: Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

NKJV: Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away.

This verse reiterates why Jesus was not in Bethany at the time Lazarus fell ill. Religious leaders in Jerusalem have been attempting to kill Jesus, so He traveled outside their sphere of control (John 10:39–40). The hostility of these men was so great that the disciples were surprised at Jesus' intent to return (John 11:8). This statement also helps to explain why there were so many people there mourning with Mary and Martha (John 11:19).

Scripture doesn't give much detail about Mary, Martha, or Lazarus. It's possible that they were well-known on their own merits. It's also possible that the crowd gathered here had more to do with their relationship with Jesus than anything else. Scripture indicates Jesus spent a notable amount of time with them, and in their home (Matthew 21:17; Luke 10:38–39). Later statements prove the local people knew how close Jesus was to this family (John 11:36). Some of those who have come to "console" the family might, in fact, be here more out of curiosity than grief.

The presence of so many people is also part of Jesus' arrangement of this event. He has already claimed that Lazarus' illness doesn't lead to death, and that it's for the sake of God's glory (John 11:4). Jesus waited so that He would not arrive until Lazarus' death was beyond any possible doubt or dispute (John 11:17). As the next verse shows, He has also chosen a moment with a large audience.

John 11:17–27 describes Jesus' encounter with Martha, Lazarus' brother. By the time Jesus got word of Lazarus' illness, His friend had already died, but Jesus delayed a further two days before coming to see the family. Martha is both heartbroken and resigned. She is confident that her brother will see eternal resurrection. Jesus confirms His role in salvation as He comforts her; she responds by affirming Him as the Messiah. This is the fifth of seven ''I Am'' statements by Jesus in this gospel. In the following passage, Jesus will meet with Martha and Lazarus' sister, Mary, expressing His sorrow for their pain.

Jesus has left the vicinity of Jerusalem to avoid hostile religious leaders. While gone, He receives word that a good friend, Lazarus, is sick. In fact, Lazarus has died by the time this message reaches Jesus. He purposefully waits a few days before returning to Bethany, arriving four days after Lazarus' burial. In front of Lazarus' mourning sisters—who Jesus weeps with—and an assembled crowd, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in a stirring and spectacular miracle. This is the seventh of John's seven ''signs'' of Jesus' divine power. In response, religious leaders coordinate in their effort to have Jesus murdered.

After giving sight to a man born blind (John 9), Jesus sparred with religious leaders on at least two occasions (John 10). After another failed arrest attempt, Jesus left the area and went out where Jerusalem's politics had little influence. In this chapter, He returns to resurrect a recently-departed friend, Lazarus. That results in a renewed commitment from Jerusalem's religious leaders to have Jesus murdered. As the crucifixion draws near, Jesus will stage His triumphal entry in chapter 12, and then begin His final teachings to the disciples.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.