Topical Bible: Kindness: The Jews to Mary and Martha

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In the New Testament, the account of Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus provides a profound illustration of kindness extended by the Jewish community during a time of mourning. This narrative is primarily found in the Gospel of John, chapter 11, where the death and subsequent resurrection of Lazarus are recounted.

Mary and Martha, sisters residing in the village of Bethany, were close friends of Jesus. When Lazarus fell ill, the sisters sent word to Jesus, hoping for His healing intervention. However, by the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. The sisters were surrounded by a group of Jews who had come to console them in their grief. This gathering of mourners is a testament to the communal support and kindness extended to Mary and Martha during their time of sorrow.

The presence of the Jews at the home of Mary and Martha is significant. In John 11:19 , it is noted, "and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them in the loss of their brother." This act of coming together to offer comfort is deeply rooted in Jewish customs of mourning, known as "sitting shiva," where friends and family gather to support those who have lost a loved one. The kindness shown by the Jewish community reflects a shared sense of empathy and solidarity, providing emotional support to the bereaved.

Furthermore, the interaction between Jesus, Mary, and Martha, along with the Jews present, highlights the depth of compassion and shared humanity. In John 11:33-35 , it is recorded, "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 'Where have you laid him?' He asked. 'Come and see, Lord,' they answered. Jesus wept." The weeping of Jesus, alongside Mary, Martha, and the Jews, underscores the collective grief and the kindness inherent in shared sorrow.

The kindness of the Jews to Mary and Martha is further exemplified in their reaction to the miracle of Lazarus's resurrection. In John 11:45 , it is stated, "Therefore many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him." The witnessing of this miracle not only brought comfort to Mary and Martha but also led many to faith, demonstrating the transformative power of kindness and belief.

This account of kindness is a reflection of the broader biblical principle of loving one's neighbor and providing support in times of need. The Jewish community's response to Mary and Martha's grief serves as an enduring example of compassion and the importance of communal care within the Christian tradition.

Nave's Topical Index

John 11:19,33
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Resurrection of Lazarus
... to serve alone?" Now she taxes him with want of kindness. ... "When Jesus saw her weep,
and the Jews also weeping ... They (I suppose Mary and Martha) say unto him, Lord ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the resurrection of lazarus.htm

The Home Scene.
... been among the number of those pious Jews who had ... where Martha the ministering spirit,
and Mary the lowly ... altar of love and affection, kindness and gentleness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/ii the home scene.htm

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ...
... as to show honour to the departed and kindness to the ... To Martha that had been the
maximum, to Mary it was ... And the Jews who witnessed it were moved as she, and ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the death and.htm

The Gospel According to St. Luke
... It is here that we find kindness shown to the ... cities of Galilee, the good Samaritan,
Mary and Martha (x ... and the leaven, Gentiles to replace Jews, the Pharisees ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter v the gospel according.htm

The Displeasure of Jesus.
... preferred the cruelty of his enemies to the kindness of his ... The Jews said, 'Behold
how he loved him!' but can any ... was from love to God, and to Martha and Mary. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the displeasure of jesus.htm

The Master.
... in a hundred nameless ingenious offices of kindness and love ... Mary's procedure is
a true type and picture of ... world, like the condoling crowd of Jews, is forming ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/x the master.htm

Lessons.
... an arrest put on their manifold deeds of kindness and generosity ... Martha and Mary
knew the direction He had taken ... to escape the vengeance of the Jews in Jerusalem ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/iii lessons.htm

And Jesus Six Days Before the Passover...
... Lazarus also; [2660] because [7] many of the Jews were going on ... [2670] And they were
angry with [2671] Mary. ... ye [16] wish ye can do them a kindness: [2676] but ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxix and jesus six.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... of Jesus, from among the poor; and Mary of Magdala ... in what thou offerest me; but
the kindness which I have ... the wife of Nero, was extremely partial to the Jews. ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

The Anointing of Jesus.
... that by reason of him many of the Jews went away ... Another point in our Lord's defence
of Mary's conduct, though ... His own teaching that an act of kindness done to ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/i the anointing of jesus.htm