The Bible is unique among ancient texts in many ways, one of which is the number of central and important woman characters. The Bible not only names these women but develops them as complex people with doubts, beliefs, and great influence.
The Gospels speak of a family close to Jesus, intimate friends who lived in Bethany—Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. They also followed Jesus. Interestingly, the Scripture shows us very little about Lazarus except the miracle of Jesus raising him from the dead, but Mary and Martha engage with Jesus in several pivotal and powerful moments.
From her journey and struggle to follow Jesus, Mary of Bethany reveals significant lessons to men and women alike.
Where Does the Bible Mention Mary of Bethany?
The first main account of Mary occurs in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha. While Martha busies herself preparing to host Jesus, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teaching. Martha becomes frustrated that she’s been left to do all the work and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. However, Jesus gently and lovingly rebukes Martha, saying, “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.”
Mary also plays a central role in the account of Lazarus’ death and resurrection in John 11. Lazarus falls seriously ill, and Mary and Martha send word to Jesus, hoping he will come and heal him. Instead, Jesus delays his journey, and by the time he arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has already been in the tomb for four days.
When Jesus arrives, Martha meets him first, expressing her belief that if Jesus had been present, Lazarus wouldn’t have died. Later, Mary comes to Jesus, falls at his feet, and says, “Lord if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” Moved by her grief and the mourning crowd, Jesus weeps with her before proceeding to raise Lazarus from the dead.
Finally, John 12:1-8 records another important passage. Jesus again visits the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus just before his crucifixion. During the meal, Mary takes a jar of expensive perfume made of pure nard and anoints Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The perfume’s fragrance fills the house.
Mary’s act of devotion is criticized by Judas Iscariot, who protests that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. However, Jesus defends Mary, saying, “Leave her alone... It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” Jesus recognized Mary’s anointing as a prophetic act, symbolizing his impending death and burial.
Luke 7:36-50 portrays a similar event at the house in Jerusalem, which some believe to be Mary Magdalene, but the Bible doesn’t clearly identify the woman in Luke.
What was Mary of Bethany’s Role in Jesus’ Ministry?
Mary plays a significant role in Jesus’ ministry. Her devotion, faith, and worship provide powerful Gospel lessons, revealing her deep understanding of Jesus’ identity and mission, as well as her great love for him.
When Martha asks Jesus to command Mary to come help her in Luke 10, Mary sitting at his feet symbolizes Mary’s desire to be close to Jesus and his teaching.
In ancient Jewish culture, disciples often sat at the feet of rabbis to learn. Mary demonstrated her spiritual hunger and placed herself in a disciple’s position, a role not typically afforded to women in their society. Also, Jesus had several male disciples who may have wanted that close position. After correcting Martha, Jesus affirms and honors Mary’s devotion. Mary had a unique role in Jesus’ ministry, someone who prioritized learning from him over the distractions of daily life.
The event at Lazarus’ grave further reveals Mary's close relationship with Jesus. Jesus healed many people who were sick and dying, even raising others from the dead during his ministry. The Bible routinely comments on his compassion for people. Yet he never wept as intensely as he did at Lazarus’ grave. When initially hearing of Lazarus’ serious illness, Jesus almost seems cold, like it’s no big deal, although he later says he knows God will be glorified in the situation.
However, Mary’s grief moves him to such deep emotion, bringing a unique comment from the other mourners: “See how much he loved him!” His love for Lazarus and Mary moved him in ways others didn’t, showing his intimate relationship with them.
During the final week before his crucifixion, Jesus chose not to stay in Jerusalem but spent his nights in the village of Bethany, at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Bethany was located about two miles east of Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, making it an easy journey for Christ to travel between each day. This proximity allowed Jesus to teach and minister in Jerusalem during the day while retreating to a friendly and comforting place with friends in the evenings. Mary and her town of Bethany provided a refuge and solace away from the hostility Jesus faced in Jerusalem.
During this week, Mary takes a pound of perfume and anoints Jesus’ feet. Anointing someone’s feet was a gesture of utmost humility and reverence. Jesus responds to Judas Iscariot’s criticism, saying, “Leave her alone... It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” (John 12:7) Jesus’ words reveal how Mary’s act of worship was more than an expression of love. It prophetically prepared him for his death and burial, indicating Mary’s deep spiritual insight, as she seems to have understood the gravity of what is about to happen to Jesus, perhaps more than the disciples.
What are Some Insights and Lessons from Mary of Bethany’s Life?
Luke 10:38-42's account of Mary simply sitting at Jesus' feet listening to his teaching, gives us important insights. She boldly sat at a place usually reserved for men, confident in Jesus’ love for her, and she bore her sister’s criticism, all to prioritize spiritual growth over societal expectations or distractions. In a world full of distractions, Mary shows us that true discipleship requires setting aside our busyness to focus on the teachings of Christ. Her example encourages Christians to prioritize quiet moments with Jesus, cultivating a deep relationship with Him through prayer, study, and reflection.
In John 11, during the story of Lazarus’ death and resurrection, Mary honestly addresses Jesus with her faith and grief. Even in her sorrow, she expresses belief in Jesus’ ability to heal and save. She had likely seen him heal many. Mary’s interaction with Jesus teaches the importance of faith, even in the midst of loss and suffering. Her trust in Jesus’ power, even when faced with death, reveals a deep belief in his divinity and ability to bring new life out of despair. At the same time, she doesn’t fear offending Jesus in what could have been seen as a critical accusation. “If you had been here, he wouldn’t have died.” Jesus doesn’t rebuke her. On the contrary, her honesty and grief move him, showing how Jesus doesn’t dismiss or overlook our pain, even when he’s about to raise her brother from the dead.
The scene in which Mary anoints Jesus with costly perfume has been spoken of countless times, inspiring Christians over the centuries for several reasons as a powerful and complex example of worship for all believers. Her act of worship is extravagant and personal. By using such an expensive perfume, she shows how Jesus is worthy of every material possession. Also, her emotional weeping reveals her honesty and sincerity, not a duty or obligation. Finally, this great devotion highlighted Jesus’ earthly mission: his crucifixion, burial, and ultimately, his resurrection. True worship is not about convenience, duty, or cost but about giving Christ the best, in love and gratitude.
Interestingly, Mary willingly endured criticism more than once, both from her sister, Martha, and Judas Iscariot. She didn’t allow such criticism to distract her from her purpose—to love and follow Jesus. Despite those who criticized her, she persisted in her worship and allowed Jesus to defend her in each case. She didn’t seek to argue or defend herself.
What Can Christians Today Learn from Mary of Bethany?
Mary of Bethany’s life shows that the Christian life starts at the feet of Jesus. Her example reminds us our relationship with Jesus should be our highest priority. In a world full of distractions, we easily get caught up in the busyness of life, just as Martha did. However, Mary encourages us to spend time in prayer, reading Scripture, and reflecting on Jesus’ words. Jesus came to earth, embodying Truth (John 14:6), and one of his purposes included bearing withess to eternal Truth (John 18:37). From this relationship with Christ, everything else flows—our service, our love for others, and our ability to face life’s challenges. Mary shows that sitting at the feet of Jesus and cultivating intimacy with Him is the source of true spiritual strength.
Both Mary and Martha loved Jesus, but their approaches differed. Martha was focused on serving Jesus and ensuring that everything was prepared, while Mary was more concerned with listening to his words. While we should serve others and work for the Kingdom of God, we must first take time to focus on our relationship with Christ. Service without devotion can lead to burnout, frustration, and a loss of perspective. By balancing our work for God with time spent in his presence, we ensure that our service is fueled by love and rooted in spiritual strength, rather than driven by obligation or anxiety.
Mary’s act of anointing Jesus teaches us the importance of offering our best to him in worship and faith. Like Mary, we are called to give Jesus the best of what we have—whether it is our time, talents, or resources. True worship involves sacrifice and humility, and it is not measured by the value of what we give but by the heart behind it. Mary’s tears, wiping his feet, symbolized her deep love for him. Our motives matter when we worship. God wants our praise and service to stem from our love for him and others, not from a desire for worldly power or fame.
Mary of Bethany endured criticism from both Judas Iscariot and her sister Martha for her acts of devotion to Jesus. Yet she remained focused on honoring and loving Jesus, undeterred by their criticism. Her example encourages us not to let criticism distract us from loving and obeying God with our whole heart. People will resist and mock us, and in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33). Like Mary, we should remain committed to God’s call on our lives, even when others don't understand. As David boldly declared in 2 Sam. 6:22 when his wife criticized him for how he danced in a priestly robe and not a kingly one, “I will become even more undignified than this." So we too should be willing to be misunderstood or criticized in our pursuit of God’s will. We shouldn’t seek to offend or anger anyone, but our focus should remain on the Jesus' approval above all else.
Mary of Bethany’s story underscores the value Jesus placed on women in His ministry. While the cultural norms of the time limited women’s roles, Jesus welcomed Mary’s discipleship and public devotion. He allowed her to sit at his feet, a position traditionally reserved for male disciples. Jesus broke societal expectations and elevated women’s roles in His ministry.
For Christians today, Mary’s example serves as a reminder that both men and women are called to be active disciples of Christ, playing crucial roles in His kingdom. Her story encourages the church to continue recognizing and supporting the contributions of women in ministry, leadership, and service.
Peace.
Further Reading
3 Lessons We Can Learn from Mary Anointing Jesus’ Feet
6 Things to Know about Mary and Martha in the Bible
Who Was Mary Magdalene? And Why Do People Think She Was a Prostitute?
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