How does John 11:2 connect to Mary's actions in Luke 10:39? Scripture Texts • John 11:2: “It was Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.” • Luke 10:39: “She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His message.” Observations from Each Passage • Both references identify the same woman—Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus (cf. John 11:1). • In Luke 10:39 Mary is found “at the Lord’s feet,” listening. • John 11:2 retrospectively highlights her later act of devotion—anointing and wiping Jesus’ feet (fulfilled in John 12:3). • The phrase “sat at the Lord’s feet” and the detail “wiped His feet with her hair” both emphasize humility, submission, and personal closeness to Christ. Connecting the Passages • Consistent Posture – Luke shows Mary’s heart inclination: willingly taking the low place to learn. – John records the mature outworking of that same posture: a costly act of worship. • Progression of Devotion – Listening (Luke 10) precedes lavish giving (John 12). Her hearing of Jesus’ word fuels the passion that expresses itself in sacrificial service. • Foreshadowing by the Holy Spirit – John 11:2 mentions the anointing event before narrating it, hinting that Mary’s earlier choice in Luke 10 set the stage for her later prophetic act (John 12:7, “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial”). • Contrast with Others – Martha’s busyness (Luke 10:40) versus Mary’s attentiveness; Judas’s criticism (John 12:4-5) versus Mary’s surrender. Both passages elevate the priority of intimate communion over mere activity or religious pragmatism. Reinforcing Scriptures • Psalm 132:7: “Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool.” Mary quite literally fulfills this invitation. • Isaiah 66:2b: “But to this one I will look: to him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at My word.” Mary demonstrates that humility by both hearing and honoring Jesus. • Romans 12:1: devotion expressed through costly sacrifice is the “reasonable service” flowing from a renewed mind—exactly what Mary models. Spiritual Lessons for Today • Receiving precedes giving. Sitting under Christ’s teaching equips believers for genuine worship. • True discipleship is marked by both attentive learning and extravagant love. • Actions born from time at Jesus’ feet carry prophetic significance and eternal commendation (Mark 14:9). |
    |