Who was Mary of Bethany in the Bible?

from the old testament

• Mary of Bethany is only mentioned in the New Testament.

from the new testament

• Jesus had a close friendship with Mary, her brother, Lazarus, and her sister, Martha. The Bible affirms that "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" (John 11:5).
• In Luke 10, Mary's sister, Martha, opened her home to Jesus. Luke recorded that Mary "sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching" (Luke 10:39). To sit at the feet of a rabbi means to be formally trained as a disciple (cf. Acts 22:3). Mary was learning from Jesus in a manner that was normally reserved for men. When Martha protested that she was left to do the serving alone, Jesus responded, "Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42). Jesus defended Mary's choice to be in the presence of her Lord and her right to learn directly from Him with the other disciples.
• Sometime later, Mary's brother, Lazarus, fell ill, and the sisters sent word to Jesus, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill" (John 11:3). Despite this news, Jesus stayed where He was two more days while Lazarus died. Jesus knew, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (John 11:4). When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Martha went to meet Him. After speaking with Jesus, she reported to Mary, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you" (John 11:28). "And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him" (John 11:29). Mary, even in her grief, immediately obeyed the call of her Lord to come to Him.
• "Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died'" (John 11:32). She brought her grief to Jesus while still stating her faith in His ability. "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled… Jesus wept" (John 11:33, 35). Mary's suffering moved Jesus to tears. Even though He knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus still took the time to mourn with Mary. The compassion and love Jesus had for Mary is evident. Lazarus's resurrection would certainly have only increased Mary's already steadfast faith.
• The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John record what appear to be two separate anointings of Jesus during the week before His death. Luke records a different anointing that happened earlier in Jesus's ministry (Luke 7:36–50). John records the account of Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus's feet six days prior to the Passover. He writes, "Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume" (John 12:1–3). Mary humbled herself by taking down her hair in public and performed an act of service and worship. Just a few days later, Jesus Himself would wipe the feet of His disciples, teaching them to serve one another (John 13). In this event, Judas, who would betray Jesus, complained that the ointment should have been sold and the money given to the poor. But his concern was not actually for the poor; as the keeper of the group's money, he would steal from their resources for himself (John 12:6). Jesus defended Mary, saying, "Leave her alone so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me" (John 12:7–8). Similar complaints and defense occurred in the incident recorded by Mark and Matthew, when an unnamed woman anointed Jesus's head two days prior to the Passover at the home of Simon the leper (Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9). Jesus defended that woman, saying, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. … She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial" (Mark 14:6, 8). It seems Mary of Bethany and this other woman knew Jesus's death was imminent. He had told His disciples plainly that it was, so it makes sense that Mary would have known (Matthew 16:21; Mark 10:32–34). Mary of Bethany and the other woman poured out a costly perfume, investing a valuable treasure in Jesus and the work He was about to accomplish.

implications for today

Mary of Bethany epitomizes profound faith and devotion to Jesus Christ. Her commitment to learning from Jesus is evident as she sits at His feet, absorbing His teachings with undivided attention. This posture of humility translates into her recognition of His authority and her eagerness to grow spiritually under His guidance. Additionally, Mary's emotional vulnerability is evident in her raw display of grief at the death of her brother, Lazarus, demonstrating her trust in Jesus as a source of comfort and solace. Her willingness to bring her deepest emotions before Him exemplifies a profound faith even through circumstances.

Moreover, Mary's act of service, anointing Jesus's feet with costly perfume, exemplifies her humble devotion and extravagant worship. Despite criticism from others, her gesture reflects an unreserved love for Jesus and a willingness to honor Him with her most precious possession. Mary's example challenges believers to emulate her passionate abandon in loving and serving Jesus—listening to His teachings attentively, bringing our emotions before Him in prayer, and expressing our devotion through acts of humble service. May her unwavering faith inspire us to deepen our relationship with our Savior and to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.