Mary & Martha of Bethany

Mary and Martha were sisters who lived with their brother Lazarus in the village of Bethany, which was very close to Jerusalem. According to the Gospels, Jesus was with the sisters and their brother on three occasions. The first was when Jesus was a guest at their home (Luke 10:38-42). The next was on the occasion of Lazarus’ death when Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to come when their brother was sick (John 11).  The final meeting occurred at the home of Simon the Leper six days before Passover (John 12:1-8).

Martha (who was probably the older sister) and Mary loved each other, and they loved God, but they were different in personality and temperament.  The scriptures do not say how they came to know Jesus, but they may have been among the crowds that followed Him and listened to His teachings. 

During their first encounter when Jesus, His disciples and other guests were at Mary and Martha’s home, Martha was busy preparing a meal for their guests.  She was the consummate hostess. She wanted her guests to be well fed and comfortable.  Mary on the other hand was interested in listening to Jesus as He spoke to His disciples and the other guests. She sat down at Jesus’ feet to listen to Him. Her love for Jesus made her want to hear His every word, while Martha’s love for Jesus made her want to provide the best possible meal for Him.  When Mary did not come to help Martha prepare for the guests, she was exasperated.  She implored Jesus to make Mary come help.  Jesus’ response was that Mary had chosen ‘the good part’ meaning she would be able to carry His words in her head and heart forever.

Jesus’ second encounter with Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus came when the sisters sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, and they wanted Him to come to them.  Jesus did not get to Bethany until four days after Lazarus was buried.  When Martha heard He was coming, she went to meet Him and told him of Lazarus’ death. “Had you been here Jesus, he would not have died.” But she showed her faith when she said she knew whatever was asked of God would be granted.  When Jesus told Martha Lazarus would rise, she thought He meant on Resurrection Day. Jesus told her anyone who believed in Him would never die. Martha told Him she believed He was the promised Messiah. Then Mary came and wept at Jesus’ feet, and Jesus wept with her.  Then Jesus went to Lazarus’ tomb and ordered that the stone be removed, Martha reminded him that Lazarus had been dead for four days and there would be a stench. He prayed and called for Lazarus to come out of the tomb.  When he came forth, the people were amazed.

Jesus was at the home of Simon the Leper a week before Passover. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were also there along with the disciples and others.  Martha was serving the guests, and as Jesus sat in his chair Mary knelt, anointed His feet with expensive perfume, and wiped His feet with her hair. Judas the disciple criticized Mary saying the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus castigated Judas saying there would always be poor people but that He would not always be with them.

Some theologians view Mary’s gesture as her appreciation for Jesus raising her brother from the dead. Others say it was Mary anointing Jesus as a final gesture of her love before He was crucified.  Jesus’ raising of Lazarus was the final straw for the Pharisees who wanted to kill Him. They knew His raising Lazarus from the dead would convince unbelievers that He was the Messiah, and they would follow Jesus rather than pay allegiance to them. Mary may have known this was her last chance to show Jesus her love and devotion to Him.

Biblical Principles

• Mary expressed her love for Jesus through her attention and ministering to Him. (Luke 10:39 & John 12:3)
• Martha expressed her love for Jesus through her hospitality and by serving Him. (Luke 10: 38 & 40 & John 12: 2)
• Martha’s hospitality was a spiritual gift. (1 Corinthians 7:7)
• Even before Jesus raised her brother from the dead, Martha told Him she knew He was the Son of God. (John 11:27)
• Although Martha knew Jesus was the son of God, she doubted that her brother would be raised from the dead. (John 11:39)
• By anointing Jesus’ feet with her expensive perfume and wiping His feet with her hair, Mary showed her devotion to Jesus and her appreciation for giving her brother new life.  (John 12: 3)

For Women Today

Mary and Martha loved Jesus, but in different ways.  Martha embraced traditional values and roles. She saw herself as a server and hostess. Mary, who was younger, was the more liberal in her actions.  She wanted to be Jesus’ disciple and took every opportunity to be near Him and listen to His teachings. Her service to Jesus was through listening and taking His teachings to heart.  Martha’s service was through doing for Jesus. She labored to ensure that He ate and was comfortable and even though she knew Jesus was the Messiah when He ordered the stone to be moved from Lazarus’ tomb, she doubted that he would live again.  Mary and Martha are examples for us today. From Martha we have the example of how not to let our faith in God be limited. To embrace and live in the belief that nothing is impossible for God. In Mary we see that true devotion to God means not letting anything come before our worship of Him. Works in the name of God are never more important than true worship and devotion to God.