1st century AD · Jesus’ ministry around AD 28-30
Martha and Mary of Bethany in the Bible
The one who serves, the one who listens. Name meaning: Martha: from the Aramaic, “lady (of the house)”; Mary: a form of the Hebrew Miriam; two sisters of Bethany (John 11:1), not to be confused with Mary Magdalene
In Bethany, Martha and Mary welcome Jesus, who loved these two sisters and their brother Lazarus (John 11:5). Martha, busy with serving, hears that Mary “hath chosen that good part” (Luke 10:41-42). When Lazarus dies, Martha confesses, “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:27); Mary falls at Jesus’ feet and then, six days before the Passover, anoints them with pure spikenard ointment (John 12:3).
Key moments
- Martha receives Jesus into her house Luke 10:38
- Mary “hath chosen that good part” Luke 10:42
- “He whom thou lovest is sick” John 11:3
- “I am the resurrection, and the life” John 11:25
- Martha’s confession: “the Christ, the Son of God” John 11:27
- Mary falls down at Jesus’ feet John 11:32
- “Jesus wept” John 11:35
- Mary anoints Jesus’ feet John 12:3
Strengths
- Hospitality
- Listening
- Faith
- Worship
Weaknesses
Martha is anxious and troubled about many things, to the point of reproaching Jesus for leaving her to serve alone (Luke 10:40-41). At the grave, she objects again: “he stinketh” (John 11:39). Both sisters bring him the same painful complaint: “if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died” (John 11:21, 32).
Lessons for today
- Listening to the Lord comes before busyness: “one thing is needful” (Luke 10:42).
- Service is precious: Martha is still serving at the supper in Bethany (John 12:2); it should flow from fellowship with Jesus, not from anxiety (Luke 10:40-42).
- Jesus meets grief with truth and with tears: he says, “I am the resurrection, and the life,” and he weeps (John 11:25, 35).
- Worship without counting the cost: Mary pours out a very costly ointment, and Jesus defends her against her critics (John 12:3-8).
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
People around Martha and Mary of Bethany
- Lazarus — Brother of the two sisters, raised by Jesus
- Jesus — The friend and Lord who loves Martha, her sister, and Lazarus
- Judas Iscariot — The disciple who criticizes Mary’s act (John 12:4-6)
- Mary Magdalene — Another Mary in the Gospels: not to be confused with Mary of Bethany
Stories with Martha and Mary of Bethany
Quiz: how well do you know Martha and Mary of Bethany?
What was the name of Martha and Mary’s brother?
“Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.” Jesus raised him after four days in the grave. John 11:1
Who was busy with much serving while Mary listened to Jesus?
“Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?” Luke 10:39–40
What did Mary pour on Jesus’ feet?
Mary took a pound of very costly ointment of spikenard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair; the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. John 12:3
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.