Marys In The Bible
The Bible is a sacred book for many Christians and it has different stories that highlight the role of Mary, Mother of Jesus. While the Bible mentions a total of nine women with the name “Mary,” most people only know of two; Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene. While the former is one of the most venerated women in the history of Christianity, little is known about the latter. In this article, we will take a look at the different Marys of the Bible.
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Fundamentally, the story of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is the most well-known and celebrated. In the Nativity narratives of the Bible, Mary is described as being a devoted and faithful servant of the Lord. She was very young when the angel Gabriel announced that she would be the mother of Jesus. Mary was also highly patriotic in her faith and was a role model for other women of her time.
Traditionally, Mary is said to be a rich woman living in Nazareth, the son of Joachim and Anna and the wife of Joseph. Furthermore, Mary was a willing follower of God’s plan and in the annunciation account, she is shown to humbly accept God’s work. Throughout all of the gospel narratives, Mary is presented as a devoted and loving young mother who was unwavering in her faith.
Mary Magdalene
The second most famous Mary going by the name “of Magdala,” or Mary Magdalene, was a follower of Jesus who, according to tradition, was likely born in Magdala near the Sea of Galilee. Mary Magdalene is known to be a witness to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Mary is widely known as one of the first messengers of Jesus’ resurrection, having been sent to the apostles to inform them of Jesus’ post-mortem activities.
Mary was not only a witness, but was an active follower of Jesus all throughout his ministry. In several accounts, she is described as sitting at his feet, learning from him and providing for him, along with other faithful women. Some even attribute the fact that she was an eyewitness to the miracle of Jesus to her being particularly enlightened and loved by Jesus.
Other Marys In The Bible
Aside from Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, there are seven other Marys in the Bible, including Mary, the mother of John Mark; Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus; Mary, the mother of James and Joses; Mary, the wife of Clopas; and Mary, the mother of Salome. These Marys are mostly mentioned in the gospels, as they were active in their faith and held significant roles in Jesus’ ministry and the early church.
Mary, the mother of John Mark, is mentioned in Acts 12:12, as the woman accompanying Peter on his missionary journey. It is believed that the mother of James and Joses, mentioned in Mark 15:40, was the same woman referred to in Matthew 27:56 as the sister of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
Mary, the wife of Clopas, whom John 19:25 describes as the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is considered by some as the mother of James and Joses. She is mentioned in Luke 24:10 as being among the women who followed Jesus during his public ministry. Mary, the mother of Salome, is mentioned in Mark 15:40 as one of the women who traveled with Jesus and his disciples.
Implications
In many Christian communities, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, has always been an object of veneration, and Mary Magdalene has recently achieved a similar level of recognition thanks to Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code and its associated media adaptations. While there is still much to be learned and to be uncovered about the life and character of both Marys and all the others mentioned in the Bible, we can be certain that they are all worthy of our admiration and respect for their unwavering devotion to Jesus.
Miracle Events of Marys In The Bible
The annunciation and Nativity of Jesus Christ are commonly associated with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. In Luke chapters one and two, an angel announced to Mary that she was to be the mother of Jesus Christ. She then gave birth to Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem.
Moreover, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is credited to Mary Magdalene, as she was the one who informed the other disciples that Jesus had come back to life. She went to the tomb of Jesus and found that it was empty before running to the apostles, informing them of Jesus’ post-mortem activities.
Marys In Art
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, has long been a popular subject of religious art. She has been portrayed in numerous paintings, sculptures, and icons that aim to portray her holiness and beauty. The same is true with Mary Magdalene, whose courageous and faithful character has earned her a place in the hearts of many believers. Mary Magdalene is also often portrayed in renaissance art as weeping at the feet of Jesus.
Many artists have also depicted the other Marys of the Bible in works of art. For instance, in the painting “The eight Marys” by the Italian painter Giulio Romano, we can see the eight women mentioned in the Bible all gathered at the feet of Jesus. This painting seeks to honor all the different Marys of the Bible and highlights the important roles that each of them had in the life of Jesus.
Marys In Modern Times
Today, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is still venerated by many Christians around the world. Mary Magdalene is also better appreciated and has recently come to be seen as an example of an independent and devoted woman. Several churches pay homage to her by holding special services in her honor. The other Marys of the Bible are rarely discussed, but when they are, they are given the same respect and veneration.
Furthermore, different aspects of the life of the Marys have been used to inspire in modern times. For instance, Mary and her profound faith in God has inspired many women to remain faithful and devoted despite difficult circumstances. In the same way, Mary Magdalene’s courage and devotion has inspired many to be diligent in their faith. Both Marys inspire modern Christians to live out a life worthy of Jesus.
