Women of the Bible - Mary, Sister of Lazarus Women of the Bible Include this form on your page Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus and Martha (John 11:1). Jesus commended her for being more interested in hearing him than in providing a bounteous dinner (Luke 10:42). She joined with Martha in saying to Jesus after the death of Lazarus, "Lord, . . . if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21). Afterward, a week before the last Passover, when Jesus was a guest in the house of Simon the Leper (Mark 14:3), she showed her devotion to Jesus by anointing his head and feet with costly ointment and wiping his feet with her hair (John 12:3). Her act would always be remembered (Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9), an act of love and a preparation for his coming death (John 12:7-8).

--------------------------------------------------------- Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights Reserved Mary of Bethany; sister of Lazarus and Martha; lived in Bethany (Jn 11:1), commended by Jesus (Lk 10:42), anointed feet of Jesus (Jn 12:3). --------------------------------------------------------- Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights Reserved Mary, sister of Lazarus, - Smith's Bible Dictionary Online Mary the virgin Mary, sister of Lazarus, She and her sister Martha appear in ( Luke 10:40 ) as receiving Christ in their house. Mary sat listening eagerly for every word that fell from the divine Teacher. She had chosen that good part, the "one thing needful." The same character shows itself in the history of ( John 11:1 ) ... Her grief was deeper, but less active.

Her first thought, when she saw the Teacher in whose power and love she that trusted, was one of complaint. But the great joy and love which her brothers return to life called up in her poured themselves out in larger measure than had been seen before. The treasured alabaster box of ointment was brought forth at the final feast of Bethany. ( John 12:3 ) Bibliography Information Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Mary, sister of Lazarus,'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901. John 11 NIV - The Death of Lazarus - Now a man named - Bible Gateway John 11New International Version (NIV) The Death of Lazarus 11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death.

No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[ a ]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[ b ] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” 28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone.

Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” The Plot to Kill Jesus 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs.

48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” 49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life. 54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. 55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.

56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him. Footnotes: John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Matthew Henry Commentary 11:1-6 It is no new thing for those whom Christ loves, to be sick; bodily distempers correct the corruption, and try the graces of God's people. He came not to preserve his people from these afflictions, but to save them from their sins, and from the wrath to come; however, it behoves us to apply to Him in behalf of our friends and relatives when sick and afflicted. Let this reconcile us to the darkest dealings of Providence, that they are all for the glory of God: sickness, loss, disappointment, are so; and if God be glorified, we ought to be satisfied. Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

The families are greatly favoured in which love and peace abound; but those are most happy whom Jesus loves, and by whom he is beloved. Alas, that this should seldom be the case with every person, even in small families. God has gracious intentions, even when he seems to delay. When the work of deliverance, temporal or spiritual, public or personal, is delayed, it does but stay for the right time. Women of the Bible - Martha, Sister of Lazarus Women of the Bible Include this form on your page MARTHA (Aram. lady, mistress). Sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany. Luke mentions a visit of Jesus to the home of Martha at a certain village (Luke 10:38). It is inferred from this that the beloved friends of Jesus had resided in Galilee before going to Bethany. The sisters knew of Jesus' ability to work miracles (John 11:3, 5). He, no doubt, was a guest in their home during the last days before Calvary (Matt 21:17; Mark 11:1, 11).

Martha was a careful hostess and was familiar enough with Jesus to complain to him about her sister's conduct (Luke 10:38-42) and about his delay in coming when Lazarus was ill (John 11:1-3, 21). She gave the Master an occasion for presenting the great statement about the resurrection (11:25). --------------------------------------------------------- Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights Reserved MARTHA (a lady, [female] lord). Sister of Mary and Lazarus (Jn 11:1). Ministers to Jesus (Lk 10:38-42; Jn 12:2). Beloved by Jesus (Jn 11:5). --------------------------------------------------------- Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Bible NIV Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc.

All Rights Reserved John 11:2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) Matthew Henry Commentary 11:1-6 It is no new thing for those whom Christ loves, to be sick; bodily distempers correct the corruption, and try the graces of God's people. He came not to preserve his people from these afflictions, but to save them from their sins, and from the wrath to come; however, it behoves us to apply to Him in behalf of our friends and relatives when sick and afflicted. Let this reconcile us to the darkest dealings of Providence, that they are all for the glory of God: sickness, loss, disappointment, are so; and if God be glorified, we ought to be satisfied. Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. The families are greatly favoured in which love and peace abound; but those are most happy whom Jesus loves, and by whom he is beloved. Alas, that this should seldom be the case with every person, even in small families. God has gracious intentions, even when he seems to delay.

When the work of deliverance, temporal or spiritual, public or personal, is delayed, it does but stay for the right time. John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus Bible Story The story takes place in John 11. The Raising of Lazarus - Story Summary: Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha , were friends of Jesus. When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." When Jesus heard the news, he waited two more days before going to Lazarus' hometown of Bethany. Jesus knew that he would do a great miracle for God's glory and, therefore, he was not in a hurry. When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been dead and in the tomb for four days. When Martha discovered that Jesus was on his way, she went out to meet him. "Lord," she said, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus told Martha, "Your brother will rise again." But Martha thought he was talking about the final resurrection of the dead. Then Jesus said these important words: "I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." Martha then went and told Mary that Jesus wanted to see her. Jesus had not yet entered the village, most likely to avoid stirring up the crowd and calling attention to himself. The town of Bethany was not far from Jerusalem where the Jewish leaders were plotting against Jesus. When Mary met Jesus she was grieving with strong emotion over her brother's death. The Jews with her were also weeping and mourning. Deeply moved by their grief, Jesus wept with them. Jesus then went to the tomb of Lazarus with Mary, Martha and the rest of the mourners. There he asked them to remove the stone that covered the hillside burial place. Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed to his Father, closing with these words: "Lazarus, come out!" When Lazarus came out of the tomb, Jesus told the people to remove his grave clothes. As a result of this incredible miracle, many people put their faith in Jesus.

Points of Interest From the Story: Jesus also raised from dead, Jairus' daughter (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:41-42; Luke 8:52-56) and a widow's son (Luke 7:11-15). Others who were raised from the dead in the Bible: In 1 Kings 17:22 Elijah raised a boy from the dead. In 2 Kings 4:34-35 Elisha raised a boy from the dead. In 2 Kings 13:20-21 Elisha's bones raised a man from the dead. In Acts 9:40-41 Peter raised a woman from the dead. In Acts 20:9-20 Paul raised a man from the dead. Through the raising of Lazarus, Jesus showed the disciples , and the world, that he had power over death. Many believed that Jesus was the Son of God and they put their faith in him after seeing this miracle . It is absolutely essential to our faith as Christians that we believe in the resurrection from the dead.

In this story of Lazarus, Jesus speaks one of the most powerful messages ever: "Whoever believes in me, Jesus Christ , receives spiritual life that even physical death can never take away." Jesus revealed his compassion for people through a genuine display of emotion. Even though he knew that Lazarus would live, he was still moved to weep with the ones he loved. Jesus cared about their sorrow. He was not timid to show emotion and we should not be ashamed to express our true feelings to God. Like Martha and Mary, we can be transparent with God because he cares for us. Jesus waited to travel to Bethany because he knew already that Lazarus would be dead and that he would perform an amazing miracle there, for the glory of God. Many times we wait for the Lord in the midst of a terrible situation and wonder why he doesn't respond more quickly. Often God allows our situation to go from bad to worse because he's planning to do something powerful and wonderful; he has a purpose that will bring even greater glory to God. Questions for Reflection: Are you in a difficult trial? Do you feel like God is delaying much too long to answer your need? Do you trust God even in the delay? Remember the story of Lazarus.

Your situation could not be any worse than his! Trust that God has a purpose for your trial, and that he will bring glory to himself through it. Mary, Martha and Lazarus of Bethany Mary, Martha and Lazarus of Bethany “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5). Mary and Martha of Bethany are well-known Bible figures. The two sisters seem to have had different temperaments, and their characters are often polarized in the retelling of their story. These polarised characterisations are caricatures which obscure the real picture of the women, their faith, and their situation. This article looks at some of the information we have on Mary and Martha, and their brother Lazarus. This information gives us a more accurate picture of these friends of Jesus. Mary and Martha’s Marital Status Mary and Martha are mentioned in each of the four gospels in various narratives.[1] There is no mention of fathers or husbands in any of these accounts. It was highly unusual for women to be unmarried in biblical times, so it is possible that the sister were young orphaned women who had not yet married, or older widows who had not remarried.

Another real possibility is that Mary and Martha belonged to an ascetic Jewish sect and had chosen singleness and celibacy. It is believed that a colony of ascetics (perhaps Essenes) lived in Bethany.[2] Literary evidence from one the Dead Sea Scrolls suggests that these ascetics had a hospice in Bethany for the ritually unclean, which included lepers (11QTemple 46:16-47:5).[3] The ascetics were known for their acts of charity and it is likely that their hospice also helped and accommodated the poor and destitute. Jesus may have been in this hospice when he announced, “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me” (Matt. 26:11; Mark 14:7; John 12:8). Click To Tweet Mary and Martha’s Age Jewish women were usually married by sixteen years of age. (It was not uncommon for Jewish girls to be legally betrothed before their twelfth birthday and married by their fourteenth.) Because we do not know about any husbands or children, it is difficult to estimate the ages of Mary and Martha and their brother.

Martha is often, but not always, mentioned first among her siblings, so she was probably the oldest (e.g. John 11:5). In comparison with his sisters, Lazarus plays a more passive role in the gospel narratives, so he may have been considerably younger. His young age would have made his death even more lamentable.[4] Mary and Martha’s Wealth If we assume that the narratives about Mary and Martha were not set in a hospice run by an ascetic community, then they appear to have been wealthy women with a home large enough to accommodate Jesus and his entourage. Moreover, Mary had in her possession very expensive perfume which was worth a year’s wages (John 12:3-8). Or had the perfume been a donation from a wealthy benefactor for the work of the poor? Did Mary use perfume to anoint Jesus that was meant to be sold to help the poor? (See Matt.

26:8-9, 11; Mark 14:4-5, 7; John 12:4-5, 8.) Martha seems to have been regarded as the mistress of the home (Luke 10:38).[5] The name “Martha” is the feminine form of an Aramaic word meaning “lord” or “master”, so “Martha” may be a title rather than a name (not unlike the Greek title, or term of respect, “ Kuria ” used in 2 John 1:1, 5). Several wealthy women in the New Testament appear to have been the mistresses of their own homes with no mention of a husband or father: Lydia, Nympha, Chloe, John Mark’s mother, the chosen lady . Other New Testament women are mentioned as being of independent means. Jesus’ ministry was sponsored by Mary Magdalene , Joanna, Susanna, and many other women who accompanied Jesus and ministered to him out of their own, personal resources (Luke 8:2-3). It was uncommon, but not rare, for a woman to be independently wealthy, and/or a homeowner, in New Testament times.

Click To Tweet Mary and Martha’s Temperament and Faith From the short biblical accounts of the sisters, it seems that Martha was the more practical of the two (Luke 10:40; John 11:39; 12:2) and Mary the more emotional (John 11:32-33; 12:3). Mary also seems to have been the more popular (John 11:45). She still seems to be the more popular in the church today. Martha has been unfairly maligned by some because of just one incident (Luke 10:38-42); however she made some very astute statements of faith concerning Jesus’ identity and concerning eternal life. These statements are recorded in John chapter 11: Martha answered, “I know he [her deceased brother Lazarus] will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” John 11:24 (cf.

Josephus, Wars, 2.8.11 (154)) “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” John 11:27 This second statement is very similar to Peter’s recorded in Matthew 16:15-17: “But what about you?” he [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” We are told that Peter could not have known that Jesus was the Christ (or Messiah) and the Son of God, unless God the Father had revealed it to him. Likewise, Martha’s faith statements were probably based on divine revelation. Mary and Martha were both devoted disciples of Jesus. Sitting at someone’s feet was the usual posture of a disciple who was being taught, and in Luke 10:39 we see Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet.

Perhaps some of the other men and women who travelled with Jesus were also sitting with Mary while Martha was busy preparing a meal. Being hospitable and serving a meal was an almost sacred duty in the culture of that time. Martha was doing a very good thing, the expected thing, but Mary had chosen the better option.[6] Mary had chosen the one thing that was really necessary: to be with Jesus and learn from him (Luke 10:42). Jesus promises that Mary’s choice to be personally trained as one of his disciples will not be taken away from her. Click To Tweet Later Mary would choose to do another fine thing when she lovingly anointed Jesus with her expensive perfume in preparation for his death (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14: 3-9; John 12:1-8). Did Mary knowingly anoint Jesus as a prophetic act? (cf. John 12:7). Mary was criticised and misunderstood because of her extravagant act of ministry, but Jesus defended her actions and prophesied, “Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Matt.

26:13; Mark 14:9).[7] Mary and Martha would continue to be devoted disciples and friends of Jesus. We learn nothing, though, about Lazarus’s faith or his character, but he does become a bit of a celebrity after Jesus raised him from death (John 12:1-2, 9). He then became the target of the chief priests’ plot to assassinate him (John 12:10-11). If Ben Witherington’s suggestion is correct, however—that Lazarus is the “beloved disciple mentioned several times in John’s gospel—we know quite a bit more about him” (cf. John 11:3).[8] Jesus at Bethany The name Bethany (beth anya) means “Poor House” or “House of Misery”.[9] The village may have been named after the hospice for the sick and destitute. But Jesus did not experience poverty in Bethany; instead he experienced the warmth, love, and hospitality of dear friends. Jesus spent a lot of time during the last weeks of his earthly ministry in Bethany.

Jesus began his ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday from Bethany (Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29); and he stayed in Bethany the following week (Matt. 21:17; Mark 11:11-12). So it seems that Jesus may have spent the last few days before his crucifixion in Martha’s home. According to Luke’s gospel, after his death and resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from near Bethany (Luke 24:50-51). Mary and Martha were both woman of great faith, spiritual acuity, and devotion. The church needs both Marys and Marthas who will be exuberant, pragmatic, and insightful in their devotion to the Lord Jesus, and are always choosing the more necessary thing of spending time with Jesus, learning from him. Map of Israel in Jesus’ time showing the proximity of Bethany to Jerusalem. Bethany was only two miles from Jerusalem which made it a perfect location for a hospice for pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem who became ritually unclean and were unable to participate in the Jewish festivals. © Visual Bible Alive. Is Mary Magdalene the sister of Martha?

| Biblical Research Institute Is Mary Magdalene the sister of Martha? Author: Ángel Manuel Rodríguez Is Mary, the sister of Martha, the same as Mary Magdalene? I have been asked this question many times, suggesting that it interests many people. It has often been a topic of discussion in the history of the Christian church. Let’s examine the biblical evidence. 1. Mary of Bethany: We know little about this Mary, unless she is identified with Mary Magdalene. This is what we know: She was the sister of Martha and Lazarus and lived in Bethany, in the region of Judea (Luke 10:38, 39; John 11:1, 2). She used to sit at Jesus’ feet to learn from Him. Since this was the posture assumed by a disciple, we can conclude that she was a disciple of Jesus. She anointed Jesus shortly before His crucifixion, revealing her devotion and love for Him (John 11:2; 12:1-8). This act was her expression of gratitude for the forgiving love of the Savior she experienced (Luke 7:47, 48).

Luke implies that she had been forgiven much. After the anointing, no other mention is made of Mary of Bethany. 2. Mary Magdalene: The full name of this woman has traditionally been taken to imply that she was from the city of Magdala, located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. The first time she is mentioned in the Gospels she is specifically included among women who had been healed by Jesus from their sickness or from demonic possession; specifically that she had been freed from seven demons, most probably by Jesus (Luke 8:2). These women were Jesus’ disciples—they accompanied Him during His second Galilean tour—and they provided financial support for His ministry (verses 2, 3). In other words, Mary Magdalene was relatively wealthy. 3. Same Person? Based on the biblical evidence I can only say, “Perhaps” or “Probably so.” Most interpreters believe these are two different persons, because no historical evidence exists to support the position that they are the same person. Besides, there is the problem of the place of origin. Bethany is in Judea, while Magdala is in Galilee.

One could speculate that perhaps early in her life Mary left her home in Bethany, went to live in Magdala, and after she met Jesus she returned to Bethany. This does not contradict any of the biblical evidence, but simply goes beyond it. Another detail to suggest we are dealing with the same person is that the anointing of Jesus recorded in Luke describes Mary as “a woman who had lived a sinful life” (7:37, NIV). In this case it would be difficult to deny that this refers to Mary of Bethany. Besides, they were both disciples of Jesus, and they appear to have had some financial resources that were placed at the service of the Lord. Based on the Bible I cannot provide a final answer to your question. Please, do not get frustrated; we don’t know everything. 4. What Really Matters: Perhaps what is significant for us in the discussion of the identity of Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany is that, whether or not they were the same person, Jesus trained women to proclaim the good news of salvation. He called men and women to the service of the gospel. Mary Magdalene came to play a significant role in the gospel narrative. She almost became the disciple par excellence.

She witnessed Jesus’ death on the cross (Matt. 27:55, 56; John 19:25) and accompanied His body to the tomb (Matt. 27:60, 61). On Sunday morning she was the first to get to Jesus’ tomb, and, seeing that it was empty, went and informed the disciples that someone had taken away Jesus’ body (John 20:1, 2). The other disciples came and found it to be true and went away, but Mary stayed behind and was the first to see the risen Lord (verse 15). He commissioned her to tell the disciples He had been resurrected (verse 17). In obedience, she and the other women went to the disciples and announced that the Lord had risen (John 20:18; Matt. 28:7; Luke 24:9). If the resurrected Savior used women to proclaim to the male disciples that He was alive, we should also make full room for women in the proclamation of the eternal gospel.

Copyright: Copyright © Biblical Research Institute General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® Date: Profiles of Faith: Mary & Martha - Lessons from Two Sisters | United Church of God United Church of God Profiles of Faith: Mary & Martha - Lessons from Two Sisters You are here UCG.org / The Good News / Profiles of Faith: Mary & Martha - Lessons from... Profiles of Faith Mary & Martha - Lessons from Two Sisters Posted on Dec 5, 1999 Login or Create an Account With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! Sign In | Sign Up × In a world filled with distractions, the story of Mary and Martha can help you set your life in order. Illustration by Michael Woodruff “Then Mary took...costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance...” Jesus and His disciples arrived at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha about mealtime. It was Martha who invited them in. Nothing is said in the Bible account about the cordial greetings they exchanged, but an important lesson was recorded during that visit that should positively affect us.

Notice the exchange between Jesus and Martha: “She [Martha] had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken from her’ ” ( Luke 10:39-42 Luke 10:39-42 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was encumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

American King James Version × ). Scripture doesn’t record whether Jesus’ response made a lasting impression on Martha’s understanding, but we can hope this spiritual lesson—so inseparably linked to our priorities—will favorably impact us. What did Mary have that Martha needed? What was the “good part” Mary chose? Why will the good part that Mary chose remain hers forever? In a world filled with distractions, the story of Mary and Martha can help you set your life in order. Home away from home The Gospels record that Jesus felt comfortable in the home of Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus. The four weren’t just acquaintances; they were close friends. Earlier, when Jesus had come to resurrect Lazarus from the dead, He showed great respect and love for Mary and Martha ( John 11:3 John 11:3Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick. American King James Version × ). Luke’s account also shows the closeness between Jesus and this family.

“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house” ( Luke 10:38 Luke 10:38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. × ). Jesus was at ease with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Their home, at Bethany just outside Jerusalem, might have been considered Jesus’ home away from home. But, though Jesus felt a deep affinity for all three, their personalities and perspectives differed. Martha’s view of life When we visit friends and relatives we have a good idea of how they think and act. Jesus was no different. He appreciated the differences among His three friends and felt comfortable enough to offer constructive advice as to their priorities. Martha’s outlook on life was quite different from Mary’s. It is possible that Martha was older and that her age figured into her personality and perspective. Martha’s words and actions depict her as practical and efficient. Nothing is wrong with being practical and efficient if it doesn’t interfere with the more important things in life. If it does, it can become a problem.

God recorded important examples for us in Scripture ( 1 Corinthians 10:11 1 Corinthians 10:11Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come. American King James Version × ), so we can learn from Martha’s and Mary’s recorded actions. Martha appears to be the leader and the more hospitable and social of the two: “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house” ( Luke 10:38 Luke 10:38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. × ). Mary’s outlook “And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” ( Luke 10:39 Luke 10:39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. American King James Version × ).

If one were to read no further, one could assume Mary may have been a little lazy, leaving the needs of hospitality and hostess to her gregarious sister. It was Martha who invited Jesus into their home. It was Mary who simply sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him talk. Who was the more hospitable, the more sociable? Who was more concerned about serving her Savior, Martha or Mary? This attitude, outlook and perspective is the kind of approach God desires in all His disciples. Jesus highly regarded Mary’s approach. Maybe Mary was shy. But we should consider Jesus’ evaluation of Mary’s actions. “But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her’ ” ( Luke 10:40-42 Luke 10:40-42 40 But Martha was encumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. American King James Version × ). To better understand Mary’s actions, let’s read details in John’s account of that same visit. “Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus [and the disciples] came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil” ( John 12:1-3 John 12:1-3 1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. American King James Version × ). John emphasizes here that Mary was so humble, convicted and dedicated to Jesus and His teachings that no expense or personal act was too great or demanding for her to honor her Savior. This attitude, outlook and perspective is the kind of approach God desires in all His disciples. Jesus highly regarded Mary’s approach. It is illuminating to contrast Mary’s reverence with Martha’s demeanor.

Martha was so comfortable with Jesus that she openly included Him in her frustration. Her words “Do You not care?” and “My sister has left me to serve alone” show her frustration. For Martha to intimate that Jesus didn’t care whether Mary was not helping shows both a close relationship and considerable forthrightness. Martha didn’t suggest to Jesus that He ask Mary to help her; she told Him directly to “tell her to help me.” Martha put the onus of responsibility for serving a meal, to her the most important of all responsibilities, on Jesus. Jesus responded forthrightly but tenderly: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things” ( Luke 10:41 Luke 10:41And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things: × ). Martha was fretting over something quite important to her: providing a meal for Jesus and His disciples. But how important was this compared with other priorities?

Choices in life Jesus continued: “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” ( Luke 10:42 Luke 10:42But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. American King James Version × ). Jesus said Mary made a conscious decision between two alternatives: She chose listening to Jesus over preparation of a meal. This may sound strange to those who, like Martha, think meal preparation is more important than visiting. But couldn’t that depend on who the guest is? The most pressing need in Martha’s eyes was that of preparing a meal for Jesus and His disciples. Mary saw this situation differently. She chose to listen to the wisdom of Jesus, her Savior, while she had the opportunity. People make choices. They are a part of life.

The prophet Moses declared: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” ( Deuteronomy 30:19 Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live: × ). Our daily choices affect our lives, and the end result of this life is determined by the choices we make every day. Jesus said Mary chose “that good part.” The good part we need We have to make a choice as to whether we seek the good part. Jesus tells us our highest priority in life should be to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness …” ( Matthew 6:33 Matthew 6:33But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. American King James Version × ).

He also gives us guidance in how to do that: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” ( Luke 4:4 Luke 4:4And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. American King James Version × ). The book of Hebrews tells us the importance of hearing and heeding the words of life: “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” ( Hebrews 2:1-3 Hebrews 2:1-3 1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him; × ). The good part lasts forever What did Jesus mean when He spoke of “that good part, which will not be taken away from her”? ( Luke 10:42 Luke 10:42But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. American King James Version × ). God’s truth and laws will abide forever. Our bodies won’t last forever, for they must be replaced with spirit bodies. The spiritual knowledge we accumulate in this life will be ours forever, never taken away from us. But we must not allow physical needs and duties to consume us.

Like Mary, we need patient faith, that in a world hell-bent on destruction, filled with frivolous trappings and empty, momentary sensual pleasures we can keep the good part forever: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” ( Revelation 14:12 Revelation 14:12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. American King James Version × ). Mary and Martha were Jesus’ good friends. Martha stayed busy supplying her guests with things that made their visit more comfortable. She should be commended for seeing to the important needs of others. But Jesus commended her sister Mary. Jesus noted, in effect, that Martha stayed busy with form, but that Mary concentrated on substance. He commended Mary for choosing the good part, the holy words, truth and faith of Jesus Christ, which will never be taken from her. We should follow Mary’s example and desire God’s truth above everything else.

Question: In the Bible, who was the sister of Mary and Lazarus?
Answer: Martha