John 11:18

18 erat autem Bethania iuxta Hierosolyma quasi stadiis quindecim

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 dixit ergo Thomas qui dicitur Didymus ad condiscipulos eamus et nos ut moriamur cum eo
17 venit itaque Iesus et invenit eum quattuor dies iam in monumento habentem
18 erat autem Bethania iuxta Hierosolyma quasi stadiis quindecim
19 multi autem ex Iudaeis venerant ad Martham et Mariam ut consolarentur eas de fratre suo
20 Martha ergo ut audivit quia Iesus venit occurrit illi Maria autem domi sedebat
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.