Identity of Lazarus Sisters in Biblical Text
The sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, are prominent figures in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels of Luke and John. They are first introduced in Luke 10:38-42, where Jesus visits their home in Bethany, and Martha is depicted as being busy with preparations while Mary sits at Jesus' feet, listening to him [1].
In John 11:1-44, the narrative focuses on the illness and death of Lazarus, and Jesus' subsequent raising of him from the dead. The passage introduces Lazarus as "a certain man" who is sick, and identifies him as being from Bethany, "the town of Mary and her sister Martha" [6]. This narrative highlights the close relationship between Jesus and the siblings, as it is noted that "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" [11].
The characterization of Mary and Martha in these narratives provides insight into their distinct personalities. Martha is often portrayed as being more active and concerned with serving others, as seen in Luke 10:40, where she is "cumbered with much serving" [5]. In contrast, Mary is depicted as being more contemplative, sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to his words [1]. When Lazarus falls ill, both sisters send a message to Jesus, saying "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick" [7].
The biblical account of the raising of Lazarus emphasizes the significance of this event as a demonstration of Jesus' power over death and his divine identity. The miracle is seen as a prefiguration of Jesus' own resurrection, and the description of Lazarus' grave is noted to be similar to that of Jesus' [13].
The sisters' reactions to Lazarus' death and resurrection also provide insight into their characters. Martha is the first to meet Jesus after Lazarus' death, and she expresses her faith in him, saying "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died" [9]. Mary, on the other hand, is overcome with grief and only approaches Jesus after being summoned by Martha [3].
The significance of the Lazarus narrative is underscored by its impact on the subsequent events in Jesus' ministry. The raising of Lazarus is seen as a catalyst for the plot to kill Jesus, as the Pharisees and chief priests seek to put both Jesus and Lazarus to death [4].
The Patristic tradition, as represented by Augustine, views the narrative of Lazarus as having significant spiritual implications. Augustine notes that the story is "clear" and does not require detailed exposition, but rather serves as a reminder of Jesus' power and love [9].
In the Reformed tradition, John Gill interprets the narrative as highlighting the close relationship between Jesus and the siblings, and notes that Lazarus was "in a very singular manner loved by Christ" [7]. Similarly, Matthew Henry views the narrative as providing a "particular account of the parties principally concerned in this story", and notes that the family of Lazarus is a picture of Christian friendship and devotion [8].
The location of Bethany, where the siblings lived, is also significant. It is identified as being on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem, and is noted to be a place where Jesus often stayed [10].
The characterization of Mary and Martha in the biblical narrative has been the subject of various interpretations throughout history. While some have seen Martha as being overly concerned with worldly matters, others have viewed her as being hospitable and generous. Mary's contemplative nature, on the other hand, has been seen as a model for devotion and spiritual focus [5, 3].
The narrative of Lazarus and his sisters remains a significant part of Christian tradition, highlighting the themes of faith, devotion, and the power of Jesus over death. The story continues to be interpreted and reflected upon by scholars and theologians across various Christian traditions [11, 12].
The historical and cultural context of the narrative also sheds light on the identity of the Lazarus sisters. The fact that Lazarus is identified as being from Bethany, "the town of Mary and her sister Martha", suggests that the sisters were well-known in the community [2]. The narrative also highlights the significance of the Mount of Olives, where Bethany was located, in the context of Jesus' ministry [10].
Sources
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G3137J — Lazarus' sister living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #A woman living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Luk.10.39; <br>only referred to)”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lazarus — (whom God helps), another form of the Hebrew name Eleazar. + Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Martha and Mary. (John 11:1) All that we know of him is derived from the Gospel of St. John, and that records little more than the facts of his death and resurrection. The language of (John 11:1) implies that the sisters were the better known. Lazarus is "of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha." From this and from the order of the three names in (John 11:5) we may reasonably infer that Lazarus was the youngest of the family. All the circumstances”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Mary, Sister Of Lazarus — She and her sister Martha appear in (Luke 10:40) as receiving Christ in their house. Mary sat listening eagerly for every word that fell from the divine Teacher. She had chosen that good part, the "one thing needful." The same character shows itself in the history of (John 11:1) ... Her grief was deeper, but less active. Her first thought, when she saw the Teacher in whose power and love she that trusted, was one of complaint. But the great joy and love which her brother's return to life called up in her poured themselves out in larger measur”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lazarus — An abbreviation of Eleazar, whom God helps. (1.) The brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany. He was raised from the dead after he had lain four days in the tomb (John 11:1-44). This miracle so excited the wrath of the Jews that they sought to put both Jesus and Lazarus to death. (2.) A beggar named in the parable recorded Luke 16:19-31.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Martha — (a lady), the sister of Lazarus and Mary. [[845]Lazarus] The facts recorded in Luke 10 and John 11 indicate a character devout after the customary Jewish type of devotion, sharing in Messianic hopes and accepting Jesus as the Christ. When she first comes before us, (Luke 10:38) her spirit is "cumbered with much serving," is "careful and troubled about many things." Her love, though imperfect in its form, is yet recognized as true, and she has the distinction of being one whom Jesus loved. (John 11:5) Her position is obviously that of the elder sister the head”
- John “John 11:1 (Tyndale) — A certayne man was sicke named Lazarus of Bethania the toune of Mary and her sister Martha.”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 11:3: Therefore his sisters sent unto him,.... Both the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, sent to Jesus; they did not go themselves, being women, and the place where Jesus was, was at some distance; and besides, it was necessary they should abide at home, to attend their brother in his sickness, and therefore they sent a messenger, or messengers to Christ, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick; for it seems that Lazarus was in a very singular manner loved by Christ, as man, as John the beloved disciple was; and this is the rather put into the message by the s”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 11:1: We have in these verses, I. A particular account of the parties principally concerned in this story, Joh 11:1, Joh 11:2. 1. They lived at Bethany, a village nor far from Jerusalem, where Christ usually lodged when he came up to the feasts. It is here called the town of Mary and Martha, that is, the town where they dwelt, as Bethsaida is called the city of Andrew and Peter, Joh 1:44. For I see no reason to think, as some do, that Martha and Mary were owners of the town, and the rest were their tenants. 2. Here was a brother named Lazarus; his Hebrew name probably was”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XI. 1--54. (part 5): this lesson clear already, we shall not go into any detailed exposition, so as to take up more thoroughly the necessary points. "Now a certain man was sick, [named] Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and Martha, his sisters." In the previous lesson you remember that the Lord escaped from the hands of those who sought to stone Him, and went away beyond Jordan, where John baptized.(4) When the Lord therefore had taken up His abode there, Lazarus fall sick in Bethany, which was a town lying close to Jerusalem. 5. "But Mar”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 19:29: 19:29 Bethany was on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, two miles east of Jerusalem; it was the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha (John 11:1, 18; 12:1; see Luke 10:38). The location of Bethphage is uncertain, but it was probably near Bethany on the same road from Jericho. • The Mount of Olives overlooks Jerusalem from the east and has significance at the return of Christ (see Acts 1:11; Zech 14:4).”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 11:5: Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus--what a picture!--one that in every age has attracted the admiration of the whole Christian Church. No wonder that those miserable skeptics who have carped at the ethical system of the Gospel, as not embracing private friendships in the list of its virtues, have been referred to the Saviour's peculiar regard for this family as a triumphant refutation, if such were needed.”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 11 (introduction): LAZARUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD--THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS. (John 11:1-46) of Bethany--at the east side of Mount Olivet. the town of Mary and her sister Martha--thus distinguishing it from the other Bethany, "beyond Jordan." (See on Joh 1:28; Joh 10:40).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 11:1: 11:1-57 The raising of Lazarus foreshadows Jesus’ own coming death and resurrection. Even the description of Lazarus’ grave (11:38, 44) prefigures Jesus’ grave (20:1, 7). Shortly after this event, Jesus was anointed for burial (12:3) and the hour of his glorification began (12:23). 11:1 In Hebrew, Lazarus is a shortened form of Eleazar (“God helps”). Among Jews in the first century, it was the fourth-most-common name for a man (see also Luke 16:19-31). • Bethany was a small village east of Jerusalem just over the Mount of Olives (John 11:18) and was where Jesus ofte”