Devine Scripture

John 11:18

What does John 11:18 mean?

A plain-English look at John 11:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 11:18 means

Bethany’s closeness to Jerusalem—about fifteen furlongs—means the drama will unfold within easy reach of the nation’s religious center. This proximity ensures that many influential people can witness the event and spread reports quickly. It also heightens the danger Jesus faces, since His opponents are close by. The verse subtly explains why crowds have gathered at the sisters’ home and why the miracle’s impact will be immense. What happens in Bethany cannot remain private; the nearness to Jerusalem guarantees that Jesus’ act will become a public crisis and a catalyst for decisive responses.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now Bethany was near to Jerusalem, about two miles away;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Bethany was nigh to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

(Now Bethania was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.)

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia off,

Context

After confirming Lazarus’s four days in the tomb, John supplies a geographical note. The short distance to Jerusalem explains the presence of many mourners and anticipates the council’s later reaction. The next verse will show the house filled with consolers. These witnesses will observe Mary and Martha’s interactions with Jesus and, later, the miracle itself. The narrative is being positioned for maximal visibility, which aligns with Jesus’ earlier statement that the event is for God’s glory and the Son’s glorification.

v.17So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already.

v.18This passage

v.19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 21:16

    And the city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal.

  • Revelation 14:20

    And the winepress was trodden without the city, and there came out blood from the winepress, even unto the bridles of the horses, as far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

  • John 6:19

    When therefore they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they behold Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the boat: and they were afraid.

  • Luke 24:13

    And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem.

  • John 11:1

    Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

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