The Greek-Orthodox Church in Bethany and behind it a crusader watch tower.
The Miracle of the Raising of Lazarus from the Dead which Jesus performed on the road to Jerusalem, is related in the Gospel
of John. When He was beyond the Jordan, Jesus learned that Lazarus of
Bethany, near Jerusalem, was very sick. He was the brother of Mary and Martha, and they were all dear to Jesus. Jesus did not hurry
and only began His journey two days later. On leaving Jesus revealed to His disciples that Lazarus was dead. When He came to Bethany, Martha came out to meet Him and said:
"If you had been here, my brother would not have died". Jesus said to her: "I am the resurrection and the life: He that believeth in me, though He were dead, yet shall He live; And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die".
When Martha told her sister that Jesus had come, Mary went to Him, with all the mourners behind her, and she also said:
"If you had been here, my brother would not
have died".
Jesus approached the cave and asked them to remove the stone from the
opening of the tomb, prayed and cried in a loud voice: "Lazarus, come forth!" and Lazarus emerged, four days after being buried (John XI).
