Βηθανία (Bēthania)
Bēthania
Bethany
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Bēthania refers to two distinct locations in the New Testament, both sharing a name that likely means "house of dates" or possibly "house of affliction." The better-known site is a village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, situated about two miles from Jerusalem. This is the place where Jesus stayed with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, as recorded in John 11:1 and 12:1, and where he was anointed by a woman in Mark 14:3.
The second location appears only once, in John 1:28. Here it is described as a place on the east bank of the Jordan River, near where John the Baptist was baptizing. Some manuscripts read this variant spelling to distinguish it from the Judean village, but both sites serve as important geographical markers in the Gospel narratives.
The name itself offers a glimpse into the daily life of ancient Palestine. Whether derived from dates or affliction, the term grounds these sacred events in real, tangible places. These villages were not abstract settings but actual communities where Jesus walked, taught, and formed deep relationships with his followers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Bethany appears in the Gospels not just as a map coordinate, but as a place of deep intimacy. It was here that Jesus found rest with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, sharing meals and quiet moments away from the crowds. This village reminds us that faith is lived out in real relationships and everyday settings. The name itself may mean 'house of dates' or 'house of affliction,' grounding these sacred events in tangible history.
Whether referring to the Judean village near Jerusalem or the site by the Jordan where John baptized, Bethany marks key turning points in Jesus’ ministry. From the raising of Lazarus to His final blessing before ascension, this location holds profound significance for Christian understanding of God’s presence among us. It invites reflection on how ordinary places become extraordinary through divine encounter.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Bethany10×
- Bethany,2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Βηθανίαν4×
- Βηθανίᾳ3×
- Βηθανίας2×
- Βηθανίαν,2×
- Βηθανία1×
Key Verses
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John 11:1
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha.
This verse introduces Bethany as the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, establishing it as a place of personal connection for Jesus.
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Mark 14:3
While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard—very costly. She broke the jar and poured it over his head.
Here, an act of costly devotion occurs in Bethany, highlighting its role as a setting for profound spiritual expression.
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Luke 24:50
He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
Bethany serves as the backdrop for Jesus’ final blessing before His ascension, marking it as a place of commissioning and hope.
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John 1:28
These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
This verse distinguishes Bethany beyond the Jordan, showing how the name applies to multiple locations significant in John’s Gospel.