And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called [the mount] of Olives. Our Evangelist alludes thus generally to Bethany, as if our Lord had merely passed by it, on His way to Jerusalem, because He was not to relate anything about His stay there, but only that He took it on His route to the capital. The word "Bethphage" [= beeyt (H1004) pagee' (H6291)] means 'Fig-house,' no doubt from the profusion of that fruit which this spot produced. That it lay, as Bethany did, on the eastern side of the mount of Olives, or the side farthest from the capital, is certain: but no traces of it are now to be found, and whether it was east or west, north or south, of Bethany, is not agreed. The small village of Bethany [beeyt 'ªniyaah], meaning 'Date-house,' yet remains, 'pleasantly situated,' says Thomson, 'near the southeastern base of the mount, and having many fine trees about and above it.'
He sent two of his disciples,