John 11:18
“Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away.”
What does John 11:18 mean?
Bethany was a small village just outside Jerusalem, roughly two miles away, where Jesus had close friends including Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. The writer mentions this detail because it matters to the story that follows: Bethany was close enough for many Jerusalem residents to have come out to mourn with the family, yet distant enough to be its own quiet place. This geographical note sets the stage for one of Jesus's most powerful moments, when he raises Lazarus from the dead and shows his authority over death itself.