Mary and Martha were sisters, and with their brother Lazarus, lived in Bethany, near Jerusalem. When Lazarus fell ill, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus (John 11:3). But Lazarus died before He came and Mary rebuked Him: "If You had been here my brother would not have died" (John 11:32).
Later after the resurrection of Lazarus, Mary anointed Jesus' feet with a jar of costly perfume made from essence of nard, and wiped them clean with her hair (John 12:1-8). While Martha was cooking dinner for Jesus and His disciples, Mary was listening to Jesus as He talked.
Martha complained to Jesus "Sir, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? tell her to come and help me". Jesus answered "Martha dear friend, you are so upset over all these details. There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it - and I won't take it away from her." (Luke 10:40-42).
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