The Historical and Biblical Background to Leaving Bethany

With the launch of Advance from Antioch, my third and final book in the Leaving Bethany trilogy, I thought I would write a mini-series of blogs, examining the historical and Biblical background of the stories. This month we begin with the first, Leaving Bethany.

The novel opens with house-proud Martha sweeping the dust out of her courtyard to hear a commotion in the otherwise sleepy village of Bethany. She discovers it is a strange travelling rabbi and before she realises she has invited him and his followers into her home for refreshments.

So begins Martha’s journey to follower and disciple of Jesus, from someone ready with a plate of food to welcome a tired traveller to a wise teacher of the new faith.

Dating

Dating the Biblical accounts of Jesus’s life is difficult, with many experts suggesting different dates with a small margin of error. Needing to ground my book within a specific timeframe, I opted to go with the dates proposed by Nick Page in The Wrong Messiah. (1)

Collating all the information regarding dates, Nick Page suggests Jesus’ death and Resurrection occurred in AD 33. Saul’s persecution of the small group of Jesus followers happened very soon after, in 34, causing many to leave Jerusalem. With this in mind, I have dated Leaving Bethany from 31 to 34.

Biblical background

Martha and her siblings, Mary and Lazarus, are mentioned three times in the Gospels, Luke 10:38-42, John 11 and John 12:1-11. I was inspired by Martha’s story and decided to write three short stories. To my surprise, those stories evolved into a completed trilogy.

Leaving Bethany is a novel, a fictitious account of the life of Jesus and the first Christians, told in the first person. Martha herself tells you the story and you hear her voice as she tells us what happened, what she thought and how she felt. Using fiction in this way has a long tradition, and we can use it to tell the truth about what the gospels tell us about Jesus. Many people I know who would not call themselves Christian or step into a church service have read the book and been touched by what it contains. It makes the stories more accessible to many modern readers.

The second half of the story occurs after Jesus’s resurrection. There is no mention of Martha in the Acts of the Apostles, the book in the Bible that follows the four gospels, but neither are many people who are in the gospels, but who were certainly there. Without giving any of the story away (but the clue is in the title!), Martha is forced to leave her beloved home in Bethany, to seek safety elsewhere. She leaves all her security behind and is prepared to sacrifice her own happiness for her family’s safety.

Church Tradition

Another source of research is church tradition. These traditions circulated within the early Christian communities and were often written down long after. Though they are a good source of information, they are often contradictory. The Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic traditions vary, but both agree that Martha and her sister Mary were at the crucifixion, resurrection and Pentecost. They also agree that, along with Lazarus, they had to flee under the persecution of Saul. Where they ended up differs, and to discover where and which tradition I chose, you will have to read Leaving Bethany.

Historical background

The Roman General Pompey conquered Jerusalem and the surrounding area in 63 BC, and in 6 AD Judea, Samaria and Idumea became the Roman province of Judea. Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, ruled Galilee from 4 BC to 39 AD. He is mentioned several times in the gospels and Acts, and he is also a character in Return to Caesarea, where you can find out what happened to him.

Jesus was born under the first official Roman Emperor, Augustus, and was crucified under the reign of his successor, Tiberius. The most famous Roman prefect of Judea was Pontius Pilate, whose main job was maintaining Roman law and order within the province. It was with this in mind that he issued Jesus’s death warrant to keep the peace of the province.

Conclusion

Martha and her friends must find a way to live out their new faith whilst living under Roman occupation and within the strict upbringing of her Jewish faith. Themes which are explored further in the two following books Return to Caesarea and Advance from Antioch. Which I will come to in my next post.

I have always enjoyed research, and it is exciting to weave a good story around the Biblical accounts, historical background and church traditions. Adding in fictitious characters, like a disgruntled neighbour, his gossipy wife, and an initially obnoxious ship captain with hidden depths all add spice to the mix to create a great story.

Don’t just take my word for it, read what Liz wrote.

“Great research and imagination provide a strong foundation for this very readable book. I read it quickly, for as with all good novels, it was hard to put down! I just had to know how the story would end. Now I am re-reading it very slowly, finding it an aid to meditation. I imagine myself in Martha’s situation as she gradually learns more of Jesus’ acceptance and love as he draws her into new experiences, formerly privileges reserved only for men. Thank you Susan for sharing many encouraging and challenging insights. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.”

Liz, Suffolk UK

To buy a copy of Leaving Bethany please go to buy page

Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, Jan Vermeer van Delft, 1654

The novel opens with house-proud Martha sweeping the dust out of her courtyard to hear a commotion in the otherwise sleepy village of Bethany.

Using fiction in this way has a long tradition, and we can use it to tell the truth about what the gospels tell us about Jesus.

It is exciting to weave a good story around the Biblical accounts, historical background and church traditions.

“Great research and imagination provide a strong foundation for this very readable book.”