Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Six Marys

It can be tricky to sort out all the Marys in the New Testament. Here Bullinger gives us some help.

"The name "Mary", when used of the Lord's mother, is always in Greek Mariam = the Hebrew Miriyam, as is Ex. 15:20. The other five are usually "Maria".

1. Mary the mother of our Lord (Matt. 1:16, &c). The context never leaves room for any doubt as to her identity.

2. Mary the mother of James the less and Joses (Matt. 27:56. Mark 15:40; 16:1. Luke 24:10). She is called "the other Mary" (Matt. 27:61; 28:1), and the wife of Cleopas (John 19:25).

3. Mary the sister of Martha, who anointed the Lord's feet (John 12:3),. She is mentioned by name only in Luke 10:39, 42 and John 11:1, 2, 19, 20, 28, 31, 32, 45; and 12:3.

4. Mary Magdalene, of Magdala (Matt. 15:39). She is always to be identified by this designation (Matt. 27:56. Mark 16:1, 9. Luke 8:2. John 20:18, &c); there is no authority whatever for identifying her with the unnamed woman of Luke 7:37-50.

5. Mary the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12).

6. Mary, one of Paul's helpers. (Rom. 16:6)."

2 comments:

  1. Oh...I didn't realize there were so many. I've always associated the name with maybe three of those. Thanks.

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  2. The index for the Book of Mormon numbers the people of the same name. Maybe someone should come up with something similar for the Bible?

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