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Martha

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Nave Topical Bible
• Martha
Thompson Chain Reference
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Easton's Bible Dictionary
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Fausset Bible Dictionary
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Hastings' NT Dictionary
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Morrish Bible Dictionary
• Mary, Sister of Lazarus and Martha
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1910 New Catholic Dictionary
• Martha, Saint 29 Jul
• Martha, Saint 19 Jan
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The Catholic Encyclopedia
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The Jewish Encyclopedia
• Abba B. Martha
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Lexicons
• ܡܶܪܬ݁ܳܐ
• Μάρθα
• Μαρία , Μαριάμ

Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus lived in the village of Bethany, just outside Jerusalem (John 11:1; John 11:18). Jesus knew the family well (John 11:5), for he had probably been there often to get away from the crowds and enjoy some rest and fellowship. That was probably why he rebuked Martha on one occasion. She busied herself with much preparation for a special meal, whereas Jesus was looking only for some quiet and relaxing conversation with his friends. Mary, realizing this, talked with Jesus, and in so doing she benefited from the words he spoke (Luke 10:38-42).

Some time after this, Lazarus fell ill. The sisters sent for Jesus, but by the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus was dead (John 11:1-6; John 11:17). Martha and Mary were convinced that if Jesus had been there, he could have done something to stop Lazarus from dying (John 11:19-21; John 11:28-32).

Martha still believed that Jesus had the power to do anything (John 11:22) and, in response to Jesus’ question, she reaffirmed her faith in him as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 11:25-27). Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus demonstrated not only the power that Jesus had over death, but also the unity that Jesus had with his Father in all his works (John 11:41-44).

A few days later, when Jesus and his disciples were having a meal with Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary anointed his feet with costly ointment. Jesus saw this as a symbolic anointing in preparation for his burial, which would soon take place (John 12:1-8). When, during the last few days before the crucifixion, Jesus and his disciples went out to Bethany at night to sleep, this house was probably the place where they slept (Mark 11:11-12; Mark 11:19; Matthew 21:17). (If the anointing by Mary referred to above was the same as that recorded in Matthew 26:6-13, the person called Simon the leper was possibly Martha’s father or husband.)