Martha of Bethany
1 CE · Bethany (al-Eizariya)
Martha was a follower and friend of Jesus. With her sister Mary and brother Lazarus she lived in Bethany, a village about fifteen stadia (under 3 km) from Jerusalem (John 11:1, 11:18). Luke tells of Jesus visiting a village where Martha welcomed him into her house. Martha was busy with serving while Mary sat listening at Jesus's feet. When Martha asked for help, Jesus answered that Mary had chosen 'the good part' (Luke 10:38-42). In John's Gospel, when Lazarus dies, Martha goes out to meet Jesus. She speaks with him about the resurrection and declares her belief that he is the Christ, the Son of God, before Lazarus is raised (John 11:17-44). Six days before Passover she serves at a supper in Bethany given for Jesus (John 12:1-3). The New Testament says nothing more about her. A medieval legend from Provence, recorded in the 13th-century Golden Legend, brings her to southern France and links her with Tarascon. It is not a historical source. Many churches honour her as a saint. From the Church Fathers onward, her story became a classic image of the active life of service set beside the contemplative life.
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Bethany (al-Eizariya)Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem (West Bank)
What they did here
John places Martha, Mary and Lazarus in Bethany near Jerusalem (John 11:1, 11:18). There Martha meets Jesus after Lazarus's death (John 11:20-27) and serves at the supper six days before Passover (John 12:1-2). Luke's version of the visit names only 'a certain village' (Luke 10:38).
In Bethany (al-Eizariya) at the same time
In the same place & time
Sages whose lives overlapped with Martha of Bethany’s in the same cities, drawn from their recorded journeys.
In the same tradition
The world in their lifetime
Thinkers and teachers of other traditions whose lives overlapped with Martha of Bethany’s — a glimpse of the wider world they lived in. Drawn purely from recorded birth and death years.
Works
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