John 11:18

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

John 11:18 Meaning and Commentary

John 11:18

Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem
Which was a reason why them were so many of the Jews come there to condole the two sisters upon the death of their brother; and by this means the following miracle became more known there: it was

about fifteen furlongs off;
that is, about two miles, for seven furlongs and a half made a Jewish mile, as appears from one of their canons ^F3, which runs thus:

``they do not spread nets for doves, except it be distant from an habitable place, (oyr Myvlv) , "thirty furlongs";''

which the commentators say ^F4 are "four miles": and still more expressly it is said ^F5, that

``between Jerusalem and Zuck, (the place where the scape goat was had,) there were ten tents, and ninety furlongs, (lym lkl huxmw hebv) "seven and a half to every mile".''

Hence a furlong was called one seventh and a half of a mile ^F6, which was 266 cubits, and two thirds of one.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 Misn. Bava Kama, c. 7. sect. 7.
F4 Maimon. Jarchi, & Bartenora in ib.
F5 Misn. Yoma, c. 6. sect. 4.
F6 T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 33. 1. Maimon. Hilch. Rotzeach, c. 13. sect. 6.

John 11:18 In-Context

16 Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

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

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

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

20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary still sat in the house.