The Four Mary's of the New Testament

Did you know that Jesus’ aunt stood near the cross as He was being crucified? Did you know that the woman who washed Christ’s feet with her tears and dried them with her hair was not a harlot? Did you know that of all the people who loved Him and believed on Him, Jesus appeared first to a woman who had been demon possessed?

When the name Mary is mentioned, almost everyone thinks of the “Virgin Mary” -- the mother of Jesus, wife of Joseph. And she is certainly worthy of great honor in the Bible. If we read what the Bible has to say about her in its entirety, she is considered a very special person of high character. She was found to be in prayer with the disciples after the assent of Jesus to heaven (Acts 1:14). She was truly “blessed among women.”

The two sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha were special friends of Jesus. It was Martha’s sister, Mary, who anointed Jesus’ head and feet with ointment and dried them with her hair. Compare Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8. Did you know that her deed is part of the Gospel that should be preached to whole world? Jesus said so! “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her" (Mark 14:9 NIV).

Mary Magdalene was, no doubt, one of the most devoted of all of Christ disciples. She followed Him, believed Him, and looked over His dead body. She was the first one to see Jesus after His resurrection from the dead. Jesus had healed her after He cast out seven demons (John 20:1-18; Luke 8:2-3). This Mary was one of three to stand by the cross of Christ when He was crucified.

Another Mary is mentioned in the Bible. She is “of Clopas”. She was the mother of “James and Joseph” (Matt. 27:56) and is also called “the other Mary”(Matt. 28:1). This Mary was also standing by the cross of Jesus with Mary, Jesus’ mother, and Mary Magdalene. She is called “His mother’s sister” and “the wife of Clopas”. Clopas may be identical to Alphaeus (compare John 19:25; Mark 15:40 and Mark 3:18).

John 19:25 suggests that Mary of Clopas was the sister to Jesus’ mother. Eusebius suggests that Clopas and Joseph, Mary’s husband, were brothers and therefore, these two Marys were sisters-in-law. The Bible does not make this clear. But one thing is certain: All of these women earned a place in history and in the Kingdom because of their character and good deeds. Yes, they were saved by grace but we know them because of their works!