BETHANY

Bethany is about two miles from Jerusalem on the southeastern slopes of the the Mount of Olives. It was the place where some of the most important events in the life of Jesus took place. This is where He visited the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, and it was the place where He raised Lazarus from the dead as told in John 11. During the final week of His life He spent at least one night in Bethany. (Matthew 21:17) It was in Bethany that Jesus was anointed by a woman in the home of Simon the leper as recorded in Matthew 26:6-13. We usually mention the fact that Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives, but Luke 24:50-51 reminds us that it was near Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus’ love and compassion for the poor is illustrated when you consider that the name Bethany means "house of poverty." A cave-tomb that used a rolling stone can be found there today