John 11:1-2 (WEL) A certain man, Lazarus of Bethany, of the town of Mary and her sister Martha, was sick. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
Chapter summary:
Joseph Benson:
(1) Christ is informed of the sickness of his friend Lazarus, of Bethany, but delays going thither till he was dead, John 11:1-16.
(2) Some days after his death, he determines to go again into Judea, though against the persuasion of his disciples, and visits and confers with Lazarus’s sisters, John 11:17-32.
(3) After weeping, and the removal of the grave-stone, and after solemn thanksgiving to his Father, he raises Lazarus from the dead, though he had been buried four days, John 11:33-46.
(4) The chief priests and rulers, being informed of the resurrection of Lazarus, by the advice of Caiaphas, agree that it was necessary he should be put to death, and from that time consult to carry their design into execution, John 11:47-53.
(5) Jesus retires to Ephraim, a city near the wilderness, and the priests and Pharisees issue an order for apprehending him, John 11:54-57.
V1 A certain man, Lazarus of Bethany, of the town of Mary and her sister Martha, was sick.
What the sickness was is unknown.
Bethany is just east of the Mount of Olives and about 2 miles from Jerusalem.
(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “A village on the southeastern slopes of the Mount of Olives about 3 kilometers (2 miles) east of Jerusalem near the road to Jericho (Mark 11:1). Bethany was the scene of some of the most important events of Jesus’ life. It was the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus and the place where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). During Jesus’ final week, He spent at least one night in Bethany (Matthew 21:17). At Bethany, Jesus was anointed by Mary in the home of Simon the leper (Matthew 26:6–13). From a site near Bethany, He ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50).”
Mary and Martha are sisters.
They had some differences:
Martha appears to have a helping disposition with organization, planning, and carrying out the plan. In love, she serves the Lord Jesus by meeting His physical needs. Martha honors the Lord by meeting His needs.
Mary appears to want to learn knowledge and understanding in order to be wise. In love, she serves the Lord Jesus by listening, learning, and paying attention to Him. Mary honors the Lord by listening and learning.
V2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
John, the eyewitness, tells us plainly who this Mary was.
Most commentators write that this is the Mary the sinner who honored the Lord Jesus especially since she had placed her faith and trust in Jesus alone for salvation. See Luke 7:37.
Others, and I agree, believe this is the Mary of John 12.
Joseph Benson:
“…where there can be no doubt that the person who performed this instance of respect to Christ was Mary the sister of Lazarus, who was of Bethany, and therefore must be different from Mary Magdalene, who was of Magdala, a town of Galilee, at a considerable distance. Nor is there any ground from Scripture to conclude that Mary Magdalene was the person who anointed Christ in Luke, which appears rather to be there described as the action of a woman of Nain, where Christ restored the widow’s son to life. See note on Luke 7:37; Luke 8:2.”
We learn:
- Jesus enjoyed fellowship with other believers, who are His sheep.
- True believers enjoy fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
- There are many ways to serve and show our love for the Lord Jesus.
Questions:
- How do you serve and show love to the Lord Jesus?
- Do you enjoy time with the Lord Jesus by reading the Bible and praying?