John 12:1 — Community Reflections

JOHN 12:1 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.”

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead — John marks the temporal setting: six days before Passover places Jesus at Bethany, the village where Lazarus now lives (alive after his resurrection). The explicit reference to 'whom Jesus had raised from the dead' emphasizes the continuity between John 11's climactic sign and this new scene. Jesus' presence at Bethany, despite the death-plot, demonstrates His intentional movement toward His passion.

Church Fathers on John 12:1

As the time approached in which our Lord had resolved to suffer, He approached the place which He had chosen for the scene of His suffering: Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany. First, He went to Bethany, then to Jerusalem; to Jerusalem to suffer, to Bethany to keep alive the recollection of the recent resurrection of Lazarus; Where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead.
Alcuin · 8th century

On the tenth day of the month they took the lamb which was to be sacrificed on the passover, and from that time began the preparation for the feast. Or rather the ninth day of the month, i.e. six days before the passover, was the commencement of the feast. They feasted abundantly on that day. Thus we find Jesus partook of a banquet at Bethany: There they made Him a supper, and Martha served. That Martha served, shows that the entertainment was in her house. See the fidelity…
Theophylact · 11th century

He lived, talked, feasted; the truth was established, the unbelief of the Jews confounded.
Augustine · 4th century

Read all 24 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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