Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus and lived in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. She is know for sitting at Jesus’ feet to listen to His teaching, a posture normally associated with discipleship. Shortly before Jesus’ crucifixion, she anointed His feet with expensive perfume in an act of devotion that Jesus said prepared him for burial.
Key references: Luke 10:38–42, John 11, John 12:1–8