Overview
The Bible addresses bethany across 33 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Mark, John and Matthew. Closely related themes include Anointing, Martha, Parsimony and Lazarus. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Martha, Lazarus and David.
Key Bible verses about bethany
New Testament
Matthew
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Mark
And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
Luke
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
John
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
People in the Bible and bethany
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying bethany for yourself
- Begin with Matthew 26:6, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Mark, John and Matthew each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus, Martha and Lazarus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Anointing, Martha, Parsimony and Lazarus.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about bethany?
The Bible addresses bethany across 33 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Mark, John and Matthew. Closely related themes include Anointing, Martha, Parsimony and Lazarus. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Martha, Lazarus and David.
How many Bible verses are about bethany?
The Bible references bethany in 33 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention bethany?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Matthew 26:6: “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,”
Which people in the Bible are associated with bethany?
Jesus, Martha, Lazarus, David and Judas Iscariot.
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