Topical Encyclopedia
Bethphage is a small village mentioned in the New Testament, located on the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. Its name is derived from the Aramaic "Beth Pagi," meaning "House of Unripe Figs." This village holds significant importance in the Gospel narratives, particularly in the events leading up to Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Biblical References:Bethphage is specifically mentioned in the context of Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded: "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples" (
Matthew 21:1). Similarly, the Gospel of Mark states: "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two of His disciples" (
Mark 11:1). The Gospel of Luke also references this location: "As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples" (
Luke 19:29).
Significance in the Gospels:Bethphage is notably the place where Jesus instructed His disciples to find a donkey and her colt, fulfilling the prophecy of
Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This event is a pivotal moment in the Passion Week, marking the beginning of Jesus' public declaration as the Messiah.
Geographical and Historical Context:Bethphage's proximity to Jerusalem and its location on the Mount of Olives made it a strategic point for travelers and pilgrims entering the city. The Mount of Olives itself is a significant site in biblical history, often associated with prophetic and eschatological events. While the exact location of Bethphage is not definitively known today, it is traditionally believed to be near the modern-day village of Abu Dis or close to Bethany, another village of biblical importance.
Theological Implications:The events at Bethphage underscore the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and highlight Jesus' role as the prophesied King and Messiah. The choice of a donkey, a symbol of peace, rather than a warhorse, emphasizes the nature of Jesus' kingdom—one of humility and peace rather than earthly power and conquest. This act serves as a profound statement about the nature of Christ's mission and the expectations of the Messiah in Jewish thought.
Bethphage, though a small and seemingly insignificant village, plays a crucial role in the narrative of the Gospels, illustrating the divine orchestration of events leading to the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Bethphagehouse of my month, or of early figs
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bethphage(g hard) (house of figs) the name of a place on the Mount of Olives on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem. It was apparently close to Bethany. (Matthew 21:1;Mark 11:1;Luke 19:29)
ATS Bible Dictionary
BethphagePlace of figs, a little village at the eastern foot of the Mount of Olives, near to Bethany,Matthew 21:1;Mark 11:1;Luke 19:29.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
House of the unripe fig, a village on the Mount of Olives, on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho (
Matthew 21:1;
Mark 11:1;
Luke 19:29), and very close to Bethany. It was the limit of a Sabbath-day's journey from Jerusalem, i.e., 2,000 cubits. It has been identified with the modern Kefr-et-Tur.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BETHPHAGEbeth'-fa-je, beth'-faj (from beth paghah; Bethphage, or Bethphage; in Aramaic "place of young figs"): Near the Mount of Olives and to the road from Jerusalem to Jericho; mentioned together with Bethany (Matthew 21:1Mark 11:1Luke 19:29). The place occurs in several Talmudic passages where it may be inferred that it was near but outside Jerusalem; it was at the Sabbatical distance limit East of Jerusalem, and was surrounded by some kind of wall. The medieval Bethphage was between the summit and Bethany. The site is now enclosed by the Roman Catholics. As regards the Bethphage of the New Testament, the most probable suggestion was that it occupied the summit itself where Kefr et Tur stands today. This village certainly occupies an ancient site and no other name is known. This is much more probable than the suggestion that the modern Abu Dis is on the site of Bethphage.
E. W. G. Masterman
Greek
967.Bethphage -- "house of unripe figs,"Bethphage, a village on...... 966, 967.
Bethphage. 968 . "house of unripe figs,"
Bethphage, a village
on the Mt. of Olives. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
...Library
Bethphage
... A Chorographical Century Chapters 31-40 Chapter 37Bethphage. There is
very frequent mention of this place in the Talmudists: and...
The First Day in Passion-Week - Palm-Sunday - the Royal Entry into...
... More difficulty attaches to the identification ofBethphage, which is associated
with it, the place not being mentioned in the Old Testament, though repeatedly...
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
... c 29 And ^d 12 On the morrow [after the feast in the house of Simon the leper]
^c it came to pass, when he he drew nigh untoBethphage and Bethany, at the...
Discrepancy of the Gospel Narratives Connected with the Cleansing...
... must consider the statements, and in the first place that of Matthew, where we read:
[5052] "When He drew nigh to Jerusalem and came toBethphage over against...
The Triumphant Entry
... Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark CHAPTER 11:1-11 THE TRIUMPHANT
ENTRY. "And when they draw nigh unto Jerusalem, untoBethphage and Bethany...
Matthew's Story of the Entry into Jerusalem. Difficulties Involved...
... this he has the story of the ass and the foal which were taken by command of the
Lord and found by the two disciples whom he sent fromBethphage into the...
Last Week of Jesus.
... base of the mountain, at some steps from the gate, on entering the neighboring portion
of the eastern wall of the city, which was calledBethphage, no doubt on...
The Ass and the Colt are the Old and the New Testament. Spiritual...
... FromBethphage Matthew says the disciples are sent out who are to fetch the ass
and the colt; andBethphage is a priestly place, the name of which means "House...
From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 36 Synagogues in the City; and Schools. Chapter 37Bethphage. Chapter 38
Kedron. Chapter 39 The Valley of Hinnom. Chapter 40 Mount Olivet....
Palm Sunday --The Day of Triumph.
... On the morrow when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, untoBethphage and Bethany, at
the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, "Go...
Thesaurus
Bethphage (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BETHPHAGE.
... The medieval
Bethphage was between the
summit and Bethany. The site is now enclosed by the Roman Catholics.
...Beth'phage (3 Occurrences)
Beth'phage.Bethphage, Beth'phage. Beth-phage . Multi-Version Concordance
Beth'phage (3 Occurrences). Matthew 21:1 And when they...
Nigh (243 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come toBethphage,
unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, (KJV ASV WBS YLT)....
Front (327 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:1 When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived atBethphage and
the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front, (WEY)....
Beth (115 Occurrences)
... We also find the word in hybrid formations, egBethphage =Bethphage = "fig house"
(Matthew 21:1). Frank E. Hirsch. Multi-Version Concordance...
Arrived (129 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:1 When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived atBethphage and
the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front, (WEY)....
Olives (30 Occurrences)
... He approached Jerusalem, "untoBethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives" (Mark
11:1 Matthew 21:1 Luke 19:29); over a shoulder of this mount-very probably...
Oliveyard (4 Occurrences)
... Luke 19:29 And when he was come nearBethphage and Bethany, at the Mount called
the Oliveyard, He sent two of the disciples on in front, (WEY)....
Instructions (47 Occurrences)
... Mark 11:1 When they were getting near Jerusalem and had arrived atBethphage and
Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples on in front...
Beth-pe'or (4 Occurrences)
Beth-pe'or. Beth-peor, Beth-pe'or.Bethphage . Multi-Version Concordance
Beth-pe'or (4 Occurrences).... Beth-peor, Beth-pe'or.Bethphage . Reference Bible
Resources
What is Palm Sunday? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Bethany in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened on the Mount of Olives? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
