Charles Ellicott Commentary John 11:18

"Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off;" — John 11:18 (ASV)

Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem.—This way of speaking of places in the past tense is not found in the other Gospels. (Compare, in this Gospel, John 18:1; John 19:41; and, on the other hand, the note on John 5:2.) The explanation may be that from St. John’s point of view, writing after the destruction of Jerusalem, the buildings and gardens could no longer be described as still existing.

About fifteen furlongs off.—The Greek stadium which is here rendered “furlong” was 606¾ English feet. The distance was, then, as the margin gives it, not much short of two English miles. This is mentioned to account for the fact stated in the following verse, that many of the Jews came to comfort Martha and Mary.