A Tale of Two Bethanys

🌿A Tale of Two Bethanys🌿

The story begins with a small but important detail in the manuscripts of the New Testament. In John 1:28, the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts — including P66 (around AD 200), P75 (early 3rd century), Codex Vaticanus, and Codex Sinaiticus — all read the same thing: “Bethany beyond the Jordan.” The Greek word for Bethany is G963 (bēthania), and it is used for both places called Bethany in the Bible.

But in the third century, the scholar Origen believed that “Bethany beyond the Jordan” must be a mistake, because the well‑known Bethany near Jerusalem was not across the Jordan River. So he suggested a different name: Bethabara, which means “house of the crossing,” based on the Hebrew root H5674 ʿāḇar, meaning “to cross over.” His idea was not based on manuscripts but on interpretive geography. Later scribes copied his suggestion, and it eventually entered the Byzantine text, the Textus Receptus, and finally the King James Version, which is why the KJV reads “Bethabara.” But the oldest manuscripts — the ones closest to the time of the apostles — all say Bethany. Early Christian pilgrims (4th–6th century) even visited a site east of the Jordan that they believed was this “Bethany beyond the Jordan.” This means the Gospel of John originally referred to a real place east of the Jordan River called Bethany beyond the Jordan.

Once we accept this, something interesting appears: the Bible speaks of two different Bethanys, and both play important roles in the life of Jesus.

The first is Bethany beyond the Jordan (John 1:28). This is where John the Baptist preached repentance and fulfilled the prophecy, “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23). It is where Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:13–17), where John pointed to Him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), and where the first disciples began to follow Him (John 1:35–39). This Bethany marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. It is the place where He is first revealed.

The second Bethany is the one most people know — the Bethany near Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives (Luke 19:29). This is the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:1). Here Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43–44), showing His power over death. Here Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfume to prepare Him for burial (John 12:1–8). Jesus stayed in this Bethany during His final week (Matthew 21:17), and it was from this area that He ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50–51). This Bethany marks the climax of His ministry — resurrection, worship, and ascension.

When we place these two Bethanys side by side, a clear pattern appears.

  • Bethany beyond the Jordan is the place of beginning.
  • Bethany near Jerusalem is the place of completion.
  • One is connected to baptism, the other to resurrection.
  • One is where Jesus is revealed, the other where He is glorified.
  • One is linked to John the Baptist, the other to Mary of Bethany.

Even the name Bethany (G963) may carry meaning. Some believe it means “house of affliction/misery,” which fits both John’s call to repentance and the sorrow surrounding Lazarus’ sickness. Others believe it means “house of dates/figs” which suggests fruitfulness — something we see in both the beginning and the end of Jesus’ ministry. Either way, the name works in both locations.

The geography also forms a meaningful picture. Bethany beyond the Jordan reminds us of Joshua’s crossing into the Promised Land (Joshua 3). Bethany on the Mount of Olives reminds us of the place where Jesus ascended and where He will one day return (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:9–12). Jesus begins His ministry at a crossing point and ends it at another — from the Jordan River to the Mount of Olives.

There is also a parallel between the people connected to each Bethany. In the first Bethany, John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus (John 1:23). In the second Bethany, Mary of Bethany prepares Jesus for His burial (John 12:7). John points to the Lamb; Mary anoints the Lamb. John stands in the water; Mary kneels at His feet. Both prepare the people for what Jesus is about to do.

In the end, the two Bethanys are not a coincidence. They form a natural frame around the ministry of Jesus — a beginning and an ending, a revelation and a fulfillment. The Gospel begins in Bethany and ends in Bethany, as if the Spirit Himself has tied a ribbon around the ministry of Christ, marking its opening and its consummation with the same name. Revelation and resurrection. Beginning and fulfillment. Water and oil. Earth and heaven. A tale of two Bethanys, and the Christ who walks between them.

🌿 1. The Lexical Fact About G963 (Bethany)

G963 bēthania is used for both locations:

  • Bethany near Jerusalem (home of Mary, Martha, Lazarus)

  • Bethany beyond the Jordan (John 1:28 in the earliest manuscripts)

The same Greek word covers both places.

🌿 2. The Historical Facts

There really were two distinct Bethanys:

A. Bethany beyond the Jordan

  • East of the Jordan

  • Associated with John the Baptist, repentance, baptism

  • The place where Jesus was first revealed

  • The place where the Lamb of God is identified

  • The place where the first disciples begin to follow Him

B. Bethany near Jerusalem

  • On the Mount of Olives

  • Associated with friendship, hospitality, resurrection, anointing

  • The place Jesus stayed during Passion Week

  • The place of the Ascension (Luke 24:50)

Two Bethanys.
Two thresholds.
Two beginnings.

🌿 3. The Two Bethanys Form a Narrative Arc

Bethany #1 — Beyond the Jordan

The beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
Here He is:

  • revealed

  • baptized

  • declared the Lamb

  • followed for the first time

This Bethany is the threshold of revelation.

Bethany #2 — Near Jerusalem

The climax of Jesus’ ministry.
Here He:

  • raises Lazarus

  • is anointed for burial

  • enters Jerusalem

  • ascends to the Father

This Bethany is the threshold of glory.

Bethany → Bethany
Revelation → Resurrection
Beginning → Fulfillment
Jordan → Olives
Water → Oil
Baptism → Ascension

The two Bethanys bookend the entire Gospel story.

🌿 4. The Name “Bethany” Itself Hints at this Duality

The etymology is debated, but the two strongest proposals are:

1. “House of affliction / misery” (beit ’ani)

  • fitting for Lazarus’ sickness, Mary’s grief, and Jesus’ tears
  • fitting for John’s wilderness ministry of repentance

2. “House of dates / figs” (beit te’enah)

  • fruitfulness
  • life
  • resurrection
  • the Mount of Olives region

Both meanings work in both locations.

The name itself carries:

  • suffering + fruitfulness

  • death + life

  • repentance + resurrection

Exactly the arc of the Gospel.

🌿 5. The Two Bethanys Mirror the Two Crossings

  • Bethany beyond the Jordan: Echoes Joshua’s crossing → entering promise.
  • Bethany near Jerusalem: Echoes the Mount of Olives → the place of departure and return.

Jesus begins His ministry at a crossing and ends His earthly ministry at a crossing (Ascension).

Bethany → Bethany
Crossing → Crossing
Threshold → Threshold

🌿 6. The Hidden Parallel: John the Baptist vs. Mary of Bethany

This is stunning once you see it.

Bethany beyond the Jordan

  • John identifies the Lamb

  • John prepares the way

  • John decreases

Bethany near Jerusalem

  • Mary anoints the Lamb

  • Mary prepares Him for burial

  • Mary is remembered wherever the Gospel is preached

Two Bethanys.
Two preparers.
Two witnesses.
Two thresholds.

🌿 7. The Clean Conclusion

There is a deeper meaning behind the two Bethanys.

They form a planned opening and closing to Jesus’ ministry:

  • Bethany beyond the Jordan → Jesus’ revelation

  • Bethany near Jerusalem → Jesus’ glorification

The Gospel story begins and ends in Bethany.

And G963 ties them together as a single symbolic thread🪢.


To all who ʿāḇar, cross over, and enter into His promise:


The LORD bless you, and keep you:

The LORD make HIS face shine upon you, and be gracious to you:

The LORD lift up HIS countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Amen and amen.

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2026 at 5:41 PM

    What a great study and eye-opener. The fore-plan of God for salvation through Jesus couldn’t be depicted any better than the two Bethanys. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete

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