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John
says here that Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, is the mysterious
ointment woman. One recalls that in terms of the structure of Mark's gospel 'an
ointment woman' is the central figure in the concentric circle in his last
Section D. (c/f the analysis in Reality
Search). She is presented (arguably and c/f the analysis) as the
'definitive' person who understands Christ. It is because of Jesus' acceptance
of her in Mark's gospel that his betrayal by Judas is triggered. In Matthew's gospel the ointment
woman again appears and again Jesus' defence of
her action triggers off his betrayal by Judas - this time Judas acts from
the group of disciples who all disapproved of what she did.
In
Luke's gospel the ointment woman is presented as a public sinner. Was this
Mary the sister of Lazarus?
Historically, did she ruin her reputation for example because of a liaison
with a non-Jew? Some scholars suggest the family of Lazarus was connected
to the priesthood. Bethany, near Jerusalem
was a handy retreat for such a family to live in. If Lazarus is 'the other disciple'
who followed Jesus after his arrest he must have had connections to walk
into the High Priest's court then ask for Peter to be brought in as
well. For a priestly family, a
liaison with a non-Jew by Mary, sister of Lazarus, would have been
anathema. If this liaison actually did take place 'the ointment woman' as
presented in the synoptic gospels was not necessarily a prostitute as
tradition generally assumes. Also, nobody says that this woman was Mary Magdalen which tradition also assumes. The sort of 'fall' brought about by
an improper liaison
might also fit in with the somewhat impetuous personality of
Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha.
Luke as well as John says that Jesus himself was chided by Mary's
sister Martha, for not telling Mary to go and help with preparations for
the coming meal. Was this behaviour a habit on her part? Perhaps to Jesus, Mary was
somewhat like a kid sister. Over the years and prior to the public life of
Jesus, his family could have habitually stayed at Bethany
for the week-long festivals in the nearby city of Jerusalem. In such case Jesus could have formed
a deep bond with Lazarus which continued on into his public life and over
those years he could also have watched Mary grow up.
In
Luke's gospel there are details that are quietly mentioned about links
between Jesus and the family of Lazarus at Bethany. For example, At the end of Luke's
gospel, after Jesus has died and has risen again Luke says Jesus finally leaves his
earthly existence from Bethany.
John
also gives such details in relation to heated argument in the temple. In a paired paragraph the opponents
of Jesus go off each to their own homes. In a parallel paragraph Jesus is in Bethany. John says that Mary the mother of
Jesus is put into the care of the disciple that he loved. From that day she
was taken to his own home. If
this was Lazarus, she would have been taken to live at Bethany. Her presence there would be an added
(or the major ) reason for Jesus' choice of
Bethany (c/f Luke) for his final leave-taking.
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