Mary Magdalene in the Bible
Women who helped Jesus – Luke 8:1-3
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
Mary Magdalene is first mentioned in the text above, she was one of several women who supported Jesus’s ministry who we have forgotten about. Mary Magdalene was later at the cross and at the tomb.
Mary of Bethany in the Bible
At the Home of Martha and Mary – Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
In John’s gospel, Mary of Bethany is attributed with pouring perfume over Jesus’s feet. The disciples complained about the waste of money but is shows Mary’s devotion to Jesus. It makes us think – I’m sure I would have taken sides with the disciples.