“Then Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.” (John 12:1)

Bethany means house of affliction. At this point the Lord was outside Judaism. Through His resurrection life He had gained a house in Bethany where He could feast and have rest and satisfaction. This house of feasting was a miniature of the church life and depicted the situation of the church:

1. Produced by the resurrection life — Lazarus (11:43-44);
2. Composed of cleansed sinners — Simon the leper (Mark 14:3);
3. Outwardly afflicted — Bethany;
4. Inwardly feasting in and with the presence of the Lord (v. 2);
5. Having more sisters than brothers (vv. 2-3);
6. Having members with different functions:
   • Serving — Martha
   • Testifying — Lazarus
   • Loving — Mary (vv. 2-3);
7. Spotted by the false one — Judas (v. 4);
8. Persecuted by religion (v. 10);
9. Being a test and exposing people (vv. 6, 10); and
10. Bringing in many believers (v. 11).

(John 12:1, footnote 1)