Bethany meaning ‘House of Misery’, just two miles from Jerusalem, was a haven for the lepers, the impoverished and the diseased, that gave Jesus enough reason to visit this village frequently.

When Lazarus became ill, his sisters had sent a distress message, calling Him to Bethany, but Jesus failed to respond. After perceiving in His Spirit that Lazarus was dead, only then did He decide to cross over the Jordan and visit the bereaved family.