Biblical city
Bethany
al-Eizariya, West Bank · Judea
A village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, Bethany was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and a frequent lodging place for Jesus during Passion Week (John 11; Mark 11:11). A traditional tomb of Lazarus is still shown there.
History in Scripture
The village of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, where Jesus raised Lazarus (John 11) and was anointed before his passion. He lodged there during Holy Week, and Luke places the ascension near Bethany.
The ancient city
It lay about two miles east of Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, on the road down to Jericho — close enough for daily travel into the city, far enough to be a quiet refuge from it.
The site today
The Arabic name al-Eizariya preserves "Lazarus". The traditional tomb of Lazarus, a Franciscan church and Byzantine remains can all be visited in the modern West Bank town.
Key passages
Sources & notes
Description summarizes standard historical and archaeological reference works. Imagery is added separately and is labeled by type.