Mary of Bethany
- James Collazo
- Jan 31, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Mary of Bethany (Hebrew: Miryam mi-Beit Anyah / Greek: Maria tēs Bēthania) was born around AD 8 in the Roman province of Judea. She had a sister named Martha and a brother named Lazarus (John 11:2). Mary's name (H4813) is customarily translated as "bitter." The meaning of Bethany (G963) remains uncertain, though many scholars connect it with an Aramaic expression meaning "house of affliction" or "house of the poor." These proposed meanings are consistent with Bethany's character as a small village near wealthy Jerusalem, less than two miles away (cf. John 11:18). Jesus ensured that Mary's act of devotion would be remembered, declaring, "Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her" (Mark 14:9).
Mary's role in the gospels focuses on her relationship with Jesus. Her actions—listening to his teaching, mourning Lazarus' death, and anointing Jesus—show how she understood both who he was and what he came to do. By listening closely, she shows what true discipleship looks like (see "Cost of Christian Discipleship"). In her grief and her belief in the resurrection, she shows the tension between death's reality and the hope of eternal life. Through her anointing, she points to Jesus' coming death and recognizes his saving mission.
Mary of Bethany, Disciple of Jesus
Mary of Bethany first appears in the Bible when she sits at Jesus' feet and listens carefully to his teaching. Her posture places her in the recognized position of a disciple (cf. Luke 8:35; Acts 22:3), showing her commitment to learning from Jesus. Her sister Martha focused on serving by preparing a meal for Jesus and his followers, but Mary chose to concentrate on Jesus' words. Martha became frustrated with her, yet Jesus defended Mary's decision, teaching that discipleship takes priority over everyday tasks (Luke 10:38–42).
Martha asks, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" (Luke 10:40). Jesus replies, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41–42). By sitting at the feet of a rabbi—a position normally associated with formal discipleship, which in the first century was overwhelmingly occupied by men—Mary challenged the cultural and gender expectations of the first century. Her choice offers a strong example of faith and a commitment to learning. She shows believers how to place devotion to God above busyness, distractions, and the pressures of everyday life.
Martha let her sense of duty and her desire to do everything perfectly distract her, and she missed the importance of being with Jesus. Mary, however, remained calm and focused, showing humility by not defending herself or drawing attention. The contrast between the sisters illustrates Jesus' teaching that devotion to God takes precedence over even worthy responsibilities. Similarly, theologian Paul Tillich writes, "Faith is the state of being ultimately concerned" (1957, p. 1).
A Witness to Resurrection
Jesus delayed his journey to Bethany, explaining that Lazarus' illness would not end in death but would reveal God's glory. When he finally arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days, and the community had already begun the mourning rituals. Mary had stayed at home, overwhelmed by grief, while receiving comfort from members of the local Jewish community. After Jesus spoke with Martha and said, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25–26), Martha went to bring Mary to him. When Mary met Jesus outside the village, she said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:32). Her words showed her strong faith in Jesus even in the middle of her deep sorrow. Mary then witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. Her grief, together with the crowd's mourning, moved Jesus deeply (John 11:1–44).
Anointing at Bethany
One of Mary's most memorable moments occurred when she brought an alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) to anoint Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. Alabaster itself was valuable, and the perfume inside was worth more than three hundred denarii—about a year's wage. Mary's anointing of Jesus took place six days before Passover and foreshadowed his crucifixion and burial (John 12:1–8). Her actions showed both deep humility and great respect for Jesus.
Judas Iscariot criticized Mary for using such expensive perfume, calling it a waste, even though he often stole from the money that supported Jesus' ministry (John 12:4–6). Judas criticized Mary's act, but John explains that his concern was insincere because he regularly stole from the common purse, whereas Mary understood the true purpose of Jesus' mission. Their contrasting responses reveal their very different priorities. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, but Mary offered perfume worth more than three hundred denarii as a sign of her deep devotion. At the same time, we see two opposite responses: one driven by love and sacrifice, the other by greed and betrayal. This contrast shows the strength of Mary's faith and the seriousness of Judas' actions.
Bibliography
Commentaries
Bock, Darrell L. Luke. 2 vols. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994–1996.
Carson, D. A. The Gospel According to John. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.
Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of John: A Commentary. 2 vols. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2003.
Köstenberger, Andreas J. John. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023.
Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to John. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Revised ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.
Monographs
Brown, Raymond E. The Gospel According to John XIII–XXI. Anchor Bible 29A. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1970.
Tillich, Paul. Dynamics of Faith. New York: Harper & Row, 1957.
Online Resources
Dickson, Kimberly. "Women in Scripture and Mission: Mary of Bethany." CBE International. June 6, 2023.
Sproul, R. C. "The Anointing at Bethany." Ligonier. May 13, 2007.
