Bethany is 3 km east of Jerusalem and there is no road, only a path that must be taken for this journey, which lasts about 1 hour on foot.
As the approaches, the Jews face certain restrictions on travel. This means that those who wish to go to Bethany must plan their journey according to the limits imposed by religious law. So these people probably left Jerusalem early on Friday afternoon, in order to reach Bethany before the start of the Sabbath rest. After about an hour’s walk, they absolutely had to be back in Jerusalem before 5:50 p.m., the time at which the began.
The major event of the resurrection of Lazarus deeply marked the population. The news spread quickly through Jerusalem, arousing curiosity and agitation among the inhabitants. When people learn that was at Bethany, they flock there in great numbers to see him. This excitement and this gathering around Jesus are viewed unfavorably by the religious leaders, who note that many Jews are now beginning to believe in him.
Faced with the rising popularity of Jesus the Messiah, the religious authorities feel a pressing need to regain control of the situation. They observe, with some concern, that Jesus’s renown keeps growing every day. Although the idea of an arrest is raised, they remain cautious, fearing an uncontrollable reaction from the crowd in case of direct intervention.
While the crowd pays homage to the Master, a decisive event is being prepared in secret: Judas Iscariot is about to betray Jesus. By this betrayal, he finally offers the long-awaited opportunity to those who want the Messiah to disappear.
During this peaceful moment, Jesus the Messiah is surrounded by his disciples and his supporters. This quiet recalls the calm that precedes a period of great upheaval. Indeed, events will soon accelerate and the situation will change rapidly during this last week.