Beth-phage, meaning "House of Unripe Figs," is a small village mentioned in the New Testament, located on the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. It holds significant importance in the events leading up to Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event celebrated in Christianity as Palm Sunday.

Biblical References:

Beth-phage is specifically mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In Matthew 21:1-2 , it is written: "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples, saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me.'" This passage highlights Beth-phage as the location where Jesus instructed His disciples to procure a donkey and her colt, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 regarding the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem.

Similarly, Mark 11:1-2 states: "As they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two of His disciples and said to them, 'Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.'" This account underscores the proximity of Beth-phage to Bethany and its role in the preparation for Jesus' entry.

Luke 19:29-30 also records: "As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent out two of His disciples, saying, 'Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.'" This passage further confirms the village's location and its significance in the narrative of Jesus' final days before His crucifixion.

Historical and Theological Significance:

Beth-phage's proximity to Jerusalem and its location on the Mount of Olives make it a place of strategic importance in the Gospel narratives. The Mount of Olives itself is a site of deep eschatological significance, often associated with the coming of the Messiah and the final judgment. Beth-phage, as part of this landscape, serves as a backdrop for the fulfillment of messianic prophecies.

The act of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey from Beth-phage is laden with symbolic meaning. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a king riding a donkey signified peace, as opposed to a horse, which was associated with war. Thus, Jesus' entry from Beth-phage on a donkey symbolizes His role as the Prince of Peace, fulfilling the prophecy and demonstrating His kingship in a manner that contrasts with worldly expectations of power and might.

Archaeological and Geographical Context:

While the exact location of Beth-phage remains uncertain, it is traditionally believed to be situated between Bethany and Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Some scholars and archaeologists suggest that it was a small settlement or a district rather than a large village. Its name, "House of Unripe Figs," may indicate the presence of fig trees in the area, which were common in the region.

Beth-phage's mention in the Gospels, despite its seemingly minor role, underscores the meticulous fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the deliberate actions of Jesus as He approached the culmination of His earthly ministry.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. 967. Bethphage -- "house of unripe figs," Bethphage, a village on ...
... Bethphage. Of Chaldee origin (compare bayith and pag); fig-house; Beth-phage, a
place in Palestine -- Bethphage. see HEBREW bayith. see HEBREW pag. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/967.htm - 6k

Bethphage
... A Chorographical Century Chapters 31-40 Chapter 37 Bethphage. There is
very frequent mention of this place in the Talmudists: and ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 37 bethphage.htm

The First Day in Passion-Week - Palm-Sunday - the Royal Entry into ...
... More difficulty attaches to the identification of Bethphage, which is associated
with it, the place not being mentioned in the Old Testament, though repeatedly ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the first day.htm

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 unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cv jesus triumphal entry into.htm

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 to Bethphage over against ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/15 discrepancy of the gospel.htm

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, unto Bethphage and Bethany ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 11 1-11 the triumphant entry.htm

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 from Bethphage into the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/17 matthews story of the.htm

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 called Bethphage, no doubt on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxiii last week of.htm

The Ass and the Colt are the Old and the New Testament. Spiritual ...
... From Bethphage Matthew says the disciples are sent out who are to fetch the ass
and the colt; and Bethphage is a priestly place, the name of which means "House ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/18 the ass and the.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 36 Synagogues in the City; and Schools. Chapter 37 Bethphage. Chapter 38
Kedron. Chapter 39 The Valley of Hinnom. Chapter 40 Mount Olivet. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

Palm Sunday --The Day of Triumph.
... On the morrow when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at
the mount of Olives, he sendeth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, "Go ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/palm sundaythe day of triumph.htm

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. ...
/b/bethphage.htm - 8k

Beth'phage (3 Occurrences)
Beth'phage. Bethphage, Beth'phage. Beth-phage . Multi-Version Concordance
Beth'phage (3 Occurrences). ... Bethphage, Beth'phage. Beth-phage . Reference Bible
/b/beth'phage.htm - 7k

Beth-phage (3 Occurrences)
Beth-phage. Beth'phage, Beth-phage. Bethphelet . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Multi-Version Concordance Beth-phage (3 Occurrences). ...
/b/beth-phage.htm - 7k

Nigh (243 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage,
unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, (KJV ASV WBS YLT). ...
/n/nigh.htm - 36k

Front (327 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:1 When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and
the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front, (WEY). ...
/f/front.htm - 37k

Beth (115 Occurrences)
... We also find the word in hybrid formations, eg Bethphage = Bethphage = "fig house"
(Matthew 21:1). Frank E. Hirsch. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/b/beth.htm - 40k

Arrived (129 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:1 When they were come near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and
the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples on in front, (WEY). ...
/a/arrived.htm - 33k

Olives (30 Occurrences)
... He approached Jerusalem, "unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives" (Mark
11:1 Matthew 21:1 Luke 19:29); over a shoulder of this mount-very probably ...
/o/olives.htm - 37k

Mountain (298 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:1 And when they were near Jerusalem, and had come to Beth-phage,
to the Mountain of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, (BBE). ...
/m/mountain.htm - 48k

Oliveyard (4 Occurrences)
... Luke 19:29 And when he was come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount called
the Oliveyard, He sent two of the disciples on in front, (WEY). ...
/o/oliveyard.htm - 7k

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