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

JOHN 11:18KJV
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John 11:18 (KJV)

What does John 11:18 mean?

John 11:18 explains that the village of Bethany was located close to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs away. This detail helps the reader understand the geographical setting for the events about to unfold in the story of Lazarus.

In this verse, the writer is setting the scene for Jesus’ visit to Bethany, where Lazarus, Mary, and Martha lived. The mention of the distance—about fifteen furlongs (roughly two miles)—shows how near Bethany was to Jerusalem, making it easy for people from the city to come and witness what happened. This proximity is important for understanding how news about Lazarus and Jesus’ miracle could quickly spread among many people.

The Greek behind John 11:18

  • "νῆν" (nigh, transliterated as "engys"): This word means "near" or "close by." Its use here highlights just how accessible Bethany was from Jerusalem, which is significant for the crowd dynamics in the story.
  • "πεντεκαίδεκα" (fifteen, transliterated as "pentekaideka"): This is the specific number of furlongs, showing the writer’s attention to detail and helping modern readers estimate the distance.
  • "στάδια" (furlongs, transliterated as "stadia"): A "stadion" was a Greek measure of distance, roughly 600 feet or about 1/8 of a mile. Fifteen stadia would be about two miles, giving a concrete sense of how close the two places were.

Why John 11:18 matters

  • John 11:18 clarifies that Bethany’s nearness to Jerusalem made it easy for many Jews to come and see what happened, which helps explain the large crowd present at Lazarus’s resurrection.
  • The specific distance shows the writer’s concern for historical accuracy and helps the reader picture the setting more vividly.
  • This detail connects the events in Bethany to the larger narrative in Jerusalem, setting the stage for the reactions and consequences that follow in the Gospel story.

Where else these words appear

“fifteen” Greek G1178 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 27:28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
  • Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

“furlongs” Greek G4712 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
  • John 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
  • Revelation 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

“Bethany” Greek G963 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 21:17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
  • Mark 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
  • Luke 19:29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

“nigh” Greek G1451 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
  • John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
  • Acts 9:38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.