John 11:18

18 Bethanie was nye vnto Ierusalem aboute. xv. furlonges of

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.


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 Then sayde Thomas which is called Dydimus vnto ye disciples: let vs also goo that we maye dye wt him
17 Then went Iesus and founde that he had lyne in his grave foure dayes already.
18 Bethanie was nye vnto Ierusalem aboute. xv. furlonges of
19 and many of the Iewes were come to Martha and Mary to comforte them over their brother.
20 Martha assone as she hearde yt Iesus was comynge went and met him: but Mary sate still in the housse.
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