Topical Encyclopedia Mary and Martha are two prominent figures in the New Testament, known for their close relationship with Jesus Christ. They are sisters who lived in the village of Bethany, near Jerusalem, and are most notably mentioned in the Gospels of Luke and John. Their account provides insight into the nature of discipleship, hospitality, and faith.Biblical Accounts The primary accounts of Mary and Martha are found in Luke 10:38-42 and John 11:1-44, with additional mention in John 12:1-8. 1. Luke 10:38-42: In this passage, Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha. Martha is described as being "distracted by all the preparations that had to be made" (Luke 10:40), while Mary sits at Jesus' feet, listening to His teaching. Martha, feeling overwhelmed, asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus responds, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42). This account highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment over worldly concerns. 2. John 11:1-44: This chapter recounts the death and resurrection of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. When Lazarus falls ill, the sisters send word to Jesus, saying, "Lord, the one You love is sick" (John 11:3). Despite the urgency, Jesus delays His visit, arriving after Lazarus has died. Martha meets Jesus first and expresses her faith, saying, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him" (John 11:21-22). Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies" (John 11:25). Mary also approaches Jesus, and deeply moved by their grief, He raises Lazarus from the dead. This event underscores Jesus' power over death and His compassion for those He loves. 3. John 12:1-8: In this account, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair. This act of devotion occurs at a dinner given in Jesus' honor, with Martha serving. Judas Iscariot criticizes Mary for what he perceives as wastefulness, but Jesus defends her, saying, "Leave her alone. She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial" (John 12:7). This moment foreshadows Jesus' impending death and highlights Mary's understanding and devotion. Character and Significance · Martha: Often seen as a symbol of service and hospitality, Martha is practical and action-oriented. Her interaction with Jesus in Luke 10 reveals the tension between service and spiritual attentiveness. In John 11, her faith in Jesus' power is evident, even in the face of her brother's death. · Mary: Mary is frequently associated with devotion and contemplation. Her choice to sit at Jesus' feet in Luke 10 exemplifies a deep desire for spiritual learning. Her anointing of Jesus in John 12 demonstrates her profound love and insight into His mission. Theological Themes The accounts of Mary and Martha explore themes of faith, devotion, and the balance between service and spiritual growth. They illustrate the importance of prioritizing one's relationship with Christ and recognizing His authority and compassion. Through their interactions with Jesus, both sisters reveal different yet complementary aspects of discipleship, encouraging believers to cultivate both active service and contemplative devotion in their walk with God. Nave's Topical Index Mark 14:3-9And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head. Nave's Topical Index Luke 10:42 John 11:5 Greek 3137. Maria -- Mary, the name of several Christian women ... Jesus, (b) of Magdala, (c) sister of Martha and Lazarus ... Word Origin of Hebrew origin Miryam Definition Mary, the name of several Christian women NASB Word ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3137.htm - 6k Library The Departure of Mary and the Holy Women of Calvary. Again, on the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 38, Etc. , About Martha ... How that yet unto this Day all Actives Complain of Contemplatives ... Further Incidents of the Journey to Jerusalem - the Mission and ... Beloved, and yet Afflicted Christ Anointed by Mary in Bethany. (John, xii. , 1, Seq. ) The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ... Deepening Shadows. The Lord's Last Days with his Disciples. A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad! Resources What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn't that mean they are called to preach? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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