Prophetically Gifted and Commissioned for Church Leadership. Martha and Mary in John 11‒12

Abstract

The two sisters Martha and Mary, known from Luke 10:38–42, are portrayed in John 11–12 as prophetically gifted and responsible for the Johannine community. Martha first appears as the determining person, she confesses her faith and proves to be a highly gifted disciple of Jesus. Through the anointing of the Messiah, which in its structure is clearly reminiscent of Jesus’ foot washing as a counter-cultural practice, Mary is portrayed as a prophetess who lives and understands the basic message of Jesus with devotion and love. By anointing Jesus’ feet, Mary makes a profession of faith that is not inferior to that of Martha.