Mary of Bethany
The Worshiper Who Chose the Better Portion
Name Information
- Meaning: "Beloved" or "Bitterness" (Hebrew: Miriam)
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Feminine
Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus and a devoted follower of Jesus. She is known for her deep love and spiritual insight, often seen at Jesus’ feet—listening, grieving, and worshiping. Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfume before His crucifixion, understanding what others missed. Her story shows what it means to love Jesus above all and to worship Him with abandon.
⏰ 1st century AD
Roles
- Worshiper
- Disciple
- Sister
Relationships
- Sister: Martha
- Brother: Lazarus
Story
Chose to sit and listen at Jesus’ feet, valuing His words over worldly tasks.
Grieved over her brother Lazarus’s death but trusted Jesus enough to still come to Him.
Fell at His feet again in sorrow — and saw Jesus moved to tears and resurrection power.
Anointed Jesus with costly perfume, wiping His feet with her hair — a sacrificial act of love and insight.
Jesus defended her from critics, saying she understood His coming death.
Spiritual Significance
- Sat at Jesus' feet to learn while Martha was busy serving.
- Anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, preparing Him for burial.
- Expressed deep grief at Lazarus’s death and faith in Jesus’ power.
- Her act of worship will be remembered wherever the Gospel is preached (Matthew 26:13).
Christ Connection
Mary recognized and honored Jesus as the suffering Messiah before the cross.
Her anointing prepared Jesus for burial — a prophetic act of love.
She illustrates the worshipful heart that sees Jesus clearly and responds with devotion.
What We Can Learn
- True discipleship prioritizes presence with Jesus over performance for Him.
- Grief and worship often meet at Jesus’ feet.
- Sacrificial love is never wasted when offered to Christ.
- The Spirit gives spiritual insight to those who draw near in love.
Memory Verses
She has done a beautiful thing to me.
— Mark 14:6Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
— Luke 10:42
Key Passages
- Luke 10:38–42
- John 11:1–44
- John 12:1–8
- Matthew 26:6–13
- Mark 14:3–9
AI is used as a tool to help create this content, informed by prior study and arranged in a study-friendly format. Every effort is made to keep it faithful to Scripture, but errors can happen — if you notice one, please let us know at contact@bibleinshort.com.