John 11:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why does the Evangelist add that Bethany was about fifteen stadia from Jerusalem? To show that many from Jerusalem really did come, for Bethany was not far away.

He says that "many" Jews were in Bethany, although that little place was not populous. They had come from Jerusalem, for the short distance did not prevent close friends from coming to Martha.

Or, since the miracle became known to everyone in Jerusalem and the surrounding region, he indicates the reason why the report naturally spread everywhere, given the multitude of inhabitants there. Some marveled, while others spoke of the event with envy, in order to cast suspicion on the miracle by slanderous accusations.

Indeed, the city was nearby, and it is no wonder that many went to them. Some came to enjoy seeing the pious life of these two women, since it was known to all. Others came because of this sorrowful and grievous event.

Moreover, the multitude of people assembled could bear witness to the miracle. Therefore such a gathering was not without benefit.

In Bethany Martha met them, always occupied with household cares. As soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, she went out of the house to Him, even out of the village.

From this it was clear that her faith and love for Jesus had not disappeared. This remained true even after Jesus' word concerning Lazarus' illness had apparently not been fulfilled.

Meanwhile Mary, plunged into her sorrow and noticing nothing that was happening around her, remained at home.

As soon as Martha saw Jesus, the sight of Him stirred two thoughts in her soul. One was the loss of her brother. The other was the power of Jesus to preserve his life, which He nevertheless had not wished to show.

"If You had been here, my brother would not have died," she said with grief.

When Jesus Christ came to Bethany, Lazarus had already been four days in the tomb. At that time the customary seven-day mourning for the dead was still continuing among the Hebrews.

In the house of Martha and Mary there were many acquaintances and relatives. Among them were many who had come from Jerusalem, since Bethany was not far from Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away.

When Martha heard that Jesus Christ was approaching their village, she went out to meet Him. Mary continued to remain at home, among the relatives and acquaintances who shared her grief over her dead brother.

Meeting the Lord, Martha expressed her sorrow before Him that He had not been there earlier. "For," she said, "then my brother would not have died."

Bethany is a village on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives. It was about fifteen stadia away, roughly three kilometers.

Having traveled the road before them, the Savior and His disciples drew near to Bethany. Yet He did not at once enter the hospitable house, but stopped at some distance from the village.

Its nearness to Jerusalem, from which it was only about two and a half miles away, had attracted many notable Jews. So had the exceptional wealth and prominence of the family.

They had come to comfort the orphaned sisters and mourn with them. Among such determined enemies, it was plainly necessary to act with caution.

Meanwhile Mary, faithful to her contemplative nature and her love of solitude, sat at home, unaware of the Savior's approach. Martha, the more active of the two, had already learned of His arrival and immediately went to meet Him.

"Now Bethany was," and so on. This remark explains the following narrative, namely, that many Jews were then in the house of Martha and Mary in a village with few inhabitants.

The village was near Jerusalem, and many Jews came from the latter place (cf. Chrysostom and Theophylact).

"About fifteen stadia": this is half an hour's walk, that is, about two and a half versts.

"Was": this expression may be regarded as an indication that the Gospel was written after the destruction of Jerusalem and the devastation of its surroundings. At that time the village no longer existed, and only its ruins remained.

Still, this is not a decisive indication. The past tense could have been used simply because the narrative speaks of past events.

Verses 17-19. "He found that he had already been four days in the tomb."

The Savior remained in the place for two days after they told Him of Lazarus' illness. More than a day had to be spent on the road from Perea to Bethany.

According to the custom of the Jews, the dead man was placed in the burial cave on the very day of his death (Acts 5:6, 10). The dead were not left in the house overnight.

Thus it becomes clear that Lazarus died on the same day when they spoke to Jesus about his grave illness.

Bethany was fifteen stadia from Jerusalem, or about three and a half versts (Lk 24:50; Acts 1:12). Because the distance was not great, many Jerusalemites came to Bethany to comfort Lazarus' sisters in their sorrow.

We mentioned above the observation of St. John Chrysostom, in Homily 62 on John. The Lord judged it necessary, for the full confirmation of the miracle, that the departed Lazarus should undergo corruption.

Thus among the unbelieving Jews not even a shadow of doubt could remain concerning the great sign that had been accomplished.

When the Lord spoke to the disciples about the death of Lazarus, it probably occurred at that very moment. Therefore one may suppose that the Lord traveled four days, or three if He set out on the following day.

Let us not forget that the Savior always walked on foot like a poor traveler. The only exception was His solemn entry into Jerusalem on a young donkey from the Mount of Olives.