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BETHANY.—A village about 15 stadia (2910 yards or about 1⅝ mile) from Jerusalem (Joh_11:18) on the road from Jericho, close to Bethphage and on the Mount of Olives (Mar_11:1, Luk_19:29). It was the lodging-place of Christ when in Jerusalem (Mar_11:11). Here lived Lazarus and Martha and Mary (Joh_11:1), and here He raised Lazarus from the dead (Joh_11:1-57). Here also He was entertained by Simon the leper, at the feast where the woman made her offering of ointment (Mat_26:6, Mar_14:3). From ‘over against’ Bethany took place the Ascension (Luk_24:50). In this case the topographical indications agree exceptionally with the constant tradition which fixes Bethany at the village of el-‘Azariyeh, on the S.E. of the Mount of Olives beside the Jericho road. The tomb of Lazarus and the house of Martha and Mary are definitely pointed out in the village, but of course without any historical authority. For a possible Bethany in Galilee, see Bethabara.
R. A. S. Macalister.