businesses;’ to Mary life ‘was rather the flow of one spirit.’ Martha was
Petrine, Mary was Johannine. The one was a well-meaning, bustling
busybody; the other was a reverent disciple, a wistful listener.” Paul had
such a picture as that of Martha in his mind when he spoke of serving the
Lord “without distraction” (1 Corinthians 7:35).
- MARTYR one who bears witness of the truth, and suffers death in the
cause of Christ (Acts 22:20; Revelation 2:13; 17:6). In this sense Stephen
was the first martyr. The Greek word so rendered in all other cases is
translated “witness.” (1.) In a court of justice (Matthew 18:16; 26:65;
Acts 6:13; 7:58; Hebrews 10:28; 1 Timothy 5:19). (2.) As of one bearing
testimony to the truth of what he has seen or known (Luke 24:48; Acts
1:8, 22; Romans 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:5, 10; 1 John 1:2). - MARY Hebrew Miriam. (1.) The wife of Joseph, the mother of Jesus,
called the “Virgin Mary,” though never so designated in Scripture
(Matthew 2:11; Acts 1:14). Little is known of her personal history. Her
genealogy is given in Luke 3. She was of the tribe of Judah and the lineage
of David (Psalm 132:11; Luke 1:32). She was connected by marriage with
Elisabeth, who was of the lineage of Aaron (Luke 1:36).
While she resided at Nazareth with her parents, before she became the wife
of Joseph, the angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the
mother of the promised Messiah (Luke 1:35). After this she went to visit
her cousin Elisabeth, who was living with her husband Zacharias (probably
at Juttah, Joshua 15:55; 21:16, in the neighbourhood of Maon), at a
considerable distance, about 100 miles, from Nazareth. Immediately on
entering the house she was saluted by Elisabeth as the mother of her Lord,
and then forthwith gave utterance to her hymn of thanksgiving (Luke
1:46-56; comp. 1 Samuel 2:1-10). After three months Mary returned to
Nazareth to her own home. Joseph was supernaturally made aware
(Matthew 1:18-25) of her condition, and took her to his own home. Soon
after this the decree of Augustus (Luke 2:1) required that they should
proceed to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), some 80 or 90 miles from Nazareth;
and while they were there they found shelter in the inn or khan provided
for strangers (Luke 2:6, 7). But as the inn was crowded, Mary had to retire
to a place among the cattle, and there she brought forth her son, who was
called Jesus (Matthew 1:21), because he was to save his people from their
sins. This was followed by the presentation in the temple, the flight into
Egypt, and their return in the following year and residence at Nazareth