What does John 11:2 mean?
Mary is the sister of Martha, and of Lazarus, the man who has fallen ill. She is described as the one who anointed Jesus with precious oil, on at least one and possibly two occasions (Mark 14:3–9; John 12:1–7). Luke describes a likely prostitute who did something similar (Luke 7:36–50). That happened at the home of a Pharisee. Mary's anointing occurred at the home of Simon the Leper, and possibly also at her own home. Lazarus' sister is not the same woman who anoints Jesus in Luke's story.Other passages show that Mary and Martha are devoted followers of Jesus (Luke 10:38–42), though they apparently do not travel with Him. Scripture gives no details about the relationship between Jesus and Lazarus. All we know is that Jesus cares greatly for him and his sisters (John 11:5). Jesus will show great emotion when approaching Lazarus' grave later (John 11:35). Observers will interpret this as grief for a friend (John 11:36), but it may also have been for the sake of Mary and Martha. The next verse also suggests they had a very close friendship (John 11:3).