Mary of Bethany facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Mary of Bethany
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, Johannes Vermeer, before 1654–1655, oil on canvas (National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh) – Mary is seated at the feet of Jesus
Righteous Mary the sister of Lazarus; Myrrhbearer
Venerated in	Orthodox Church, Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, Lutheranism
Feast	June 4 (Orthodox), July 29 (Catholic/Lutheran/Anglican)
Attributes	woman holding a myrrh jar and a handkerchief

Mary of Bethany was a special person mentioned in the Bible. She lived in a village called Bethany, near Jerusalem. Mary was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The Gospels in the New Testament tell us about her. She was a close friend of Jesus and is remembered for her deep faith and devotion to him.

Mary and Martha: A Lesson in Listening

One famous story about Mary is found in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus visited the home of Mary and her sister, Martha.

Martha's Busy Work

Martha was very busy preparing food and making sure everything was perfect for their important guest. She was working hard to be a good host.

Mary's Choice to Listen

Meanwhile, Mary sat at Jesus' feet. She listened carefully to everything he said. She wanted to learn from him.

Jesus' Gentle Teaching

Martha became upset that Mary wasn't helping her. She asked Jesus to tell Mary to help. But Jesus gently told Martha that Mary had chosen the "better part." He meant that listening to his words was more important than all the chores. This story teaches us to sometimes stop and listen to what truly matters.

Lazarus's Resurrection: A Miracle of Faith

Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, became very sick. They sent a message to Jesus, asking him to come.

Lazarus Dies

By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already died. He had been in the tomb for four days. Both Mary and Martha were very sad.

Mary's Grief and Faith

When Mary met Jesus, she cried and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Even in her sadness, she still believed in Jesus.

Jesus Raises Lazarus

Jesus was deeply moved by their sorrow. He went to Lazarus's tomb. He commanded Lazarus to come out, and Lazarus came back to life! This amazing miracle showed Jesus' power over death. It also showed Mary's faith.

Anointing Jesus: An Act of Love

Another important story about Mary happened shortly before Jesus' death.

A Special Dinner

Jesus was at a dinner in Bethany. Lazarus was also there, along with Martha, who was serving.

Mary's Gift

Mary took a very expensive jar of perfume. It was made from pure nard. She poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. This was a very humble and loving act.

Judas's Complaint

Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, complained. He said the perfume should have been sold. The money could have been given to the poor.

Jesus Defends Mary

Jesus defended Mary. He said she had done a beautiful thing. He explained that she was preparing his body for burial. He also said that people would always remember what Mary had done.

Mary's Legacy

Mary of Bethany is remembered as a woman of deep faith. She chose to put Jesus first. She listened to his teachings. She believed in his power. And she showed her love for him in a very special way. She is honored as a saint in many Christian traditions.

See also

In Spanish: María de Betania para niños