John 12:1
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Original Language Analysis
Ὁ
which
G3588
Ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
4 of 20
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
ἡμερῶν
days
G2250
ἡμερῶν
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
6 of 20
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
Ὁ
which
G3588
Ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάσχα
the passover
G3957
πάσχα
the passover
Strong's:
G3957
Word #:
8 of 20
the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)
ἦλθεν
came
G2064
ἦλθεν
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
9 of 20
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ὁ
which
G3588
Ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἤγειρεν
he raised
G1453
ἤγειρεν
he raised
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
18 of 20
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
Cross References
Matthew 21:17And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.Luke 24:50And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.John 11:55And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.John 11:1Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.John 12:20And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
Historical Context
Six days before Passover was likely Saturday evening (Sabbath end) when meals were permissible. Bethany remained Jesus' Jerusalem-area base despite danger. The village's proximity to the city made this return strategic but dangerous.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' return to Bethany teach about obedience despite danger?
- How does the chronological precision confirm the Gospel's eyewitness nature?
- In what ways does God's perfect timing combine courage and wisdom?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John notes precise chronology: six days before Passover, Jesus returns to Bethany, placing Him in danger's proximity. The mention of Lazarus identifies location and sets up the supper's significance—the raised man sits with the Raiser. This dinner probably occurred on the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday evening), making the next day's entry (12:12) Sunday. The chronological precision demonstrates eyewitness testimony. Jesus' return to Bethany shows courage—He enters the danger zone at God's appointed time.