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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadGreater Men and Women of the Bible by James Hastings: 558. Mary
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Literature
Aitken, W. H. M. H., The Highway of Holiness, 141, 157.
Alexander, A., The Glory in the Grey (1915), 22.
Allon, H., The Vision of God (1877), 117.
Bain, J. A., Questions Answered by Christ (1908), 81.
Binney, T., Sermons, ii. (1875) 188.
Bushnell, H., Christ and His Salvation, 89.
Caird, J., Essays for Sunday Reading (1906), 59.
Campbell, R. J., The Song of Ages (1905), 109.
Dawson, W. J., The Reproach of Christ (1903), 97.
Denney, J., The Way Everlasting (1911), 282.
Edersheim, A., The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, ii. (1887) 146, 312, 322, 358.
Forbes, J. T., God's Measure (1898), 21.
Hall, W. A. N., The Radiant Life (1914), 36.
Hart, H. G., Sermons Preached in Sedbergh School Chapel (1901), 146.
Lewis, A., Sermons Preached in England (1906), 89.
Liddon, H. P., Passiontide Sermons (1891), 227.
Macaulay, A. B., The Word of the Cross (1914), 172.
McFadyen, J. E., The City with Foundations (1909), 63.
Matheson, G., Thoughts for Life's Journey (1907), 54.
Morrison, G. H., Flood-Tide (1901), 92.
Neff, F., in Drew Sermons for 1910 (1909), 259.
Peabody, F. G., Mornings in the College Chapel, ii. (1908) 182.
Pearse, M. G., In the Banqueting House (1896), 107.
Purves, P. C., The Divine Cure for Heart Trouble (1905), 163.
Rigg, J. H., Scenes and Studies in the Ministry of Our Lord (1901), 133, 156.
Ritchie, D. L., Peace the Umpire, 79.
Skrine, J. H., Saints and Worthies (1901), 128.
Tuckwell, W., Nuggets from the Bible Mine (1913), 179.
Walters, C. E., The Deserted Christ (1910), 125.
Watson, J., The Inspiration of Our Faith (1905), 1.
The company of good women was to Jesus, as to many other delicate and spiritual natures, a relief and refreshment, because He found Himself in an atmosphere of emotion and sympathy. The sisters of Bethany were of different types, although one in kindness and loyalty, and their separate individualities stand out in relief from the story. Martha was chiefly concerned that their Guest should be served, and her desire was to compass Him with every observance of hospitality. She was full of plans for His comfort and rest, so that for once He should have no care or burden. Her energy and ingenuity, all inspired by love, were unceasing, and showed the traces of that religious spirit which knows no quietness, and expends itself in the works of charity It was inevitable that Martha should be impatient at times with Mary, to whom this bustle of goodness was altogether foreign. The joy of Mary was to sit at the Master's feet and drink in every word which fell from His lips, for here was that religion which hides truth within the heart as great treasure. Martha was concerned with what is external, Mary with what is spiritual; and if the Master gently chided Martha, He was not indifferent to her solicitude for Him; and if He praised Mary, it was not for inaction, but for inwardness.
There are three occasions recorded on which Jesus was with the Bethany family, and on each occasion Mary's character is clearly revealed. On the first occasion she was a Learner, on the next a Mourner, and on the third a Worshipper.