Female Disciples in the New Testament: Mary & Martha

Female Disciples in the New Testament

While little is known about a formal organization of women in the New Testament, evidence suggests that women were vital participants in the Savior’s ministry. The New Testament includes accounts of women, named and unnamed, who exercised faith in Jesus Christ, learned and lived His teachings, and testified of His ministry, miracles, and majesty. These women became exemplary disciples and important witnesses in the work of salvation.

Women journeyed with Jesus and His Twelve Apostles. They gave of their substance to assist in His ministry. After His death and Resurrection, women continued to be faithful disciples. They met and prayed together with the Apostles. They provided their homes as gathering places for Church members. They valiantly participated in the work of saving souls, temporally and spiritually.

Martha and her sister Mary are examples of female disciples in the New Testament. Luke 10 contains an account of Martha opening her home to Jesus. She served the Lord by taking care of His temporal needs, and Mary sat at the Master’s feet and absorbed His teachings.

In an age when women were generally expected to provide only temporal service, the Savior taught Martha and Mary that women could also participate spiritually in His work. He invited them to become His disciples and partake of salvation, “that good part” that would never be taken from them.

Mary and Martha became active participants in the Lord’s mortal ministry. Later in the New Testament, we read Martha’s strong testimony of the Savior’s divinity. In a conversation with Jesus, she said, “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

I have always desired to participate spiritually in the Saviors work. I am grateful for the knowledge that I can, and that the service I have offered in our home and in the Church is valued and acceptable to Him. I feel His love for me, and the assurance that I am one of His beloved daughters. What a blessing! The greatest challenge is to balance appropriately the Mary and the Martha aspect of my life...as I would be perfectly content to sit at the Masters feet and be taught continually. It's a daily striving to see the value and eternal nature of home-making routine tasks. These are part of building the Kingdom, too.

I have always loved this painting by Minerva Teichert of Mary and Martha. My heart hungers for the Lord to open the scriptures to me continually; He has, and I know He will continue to do so, if I seek after Him. As I study each morning I imagine Him near me, teaching and lifting me, filling me with His light. I know this gift is available to all His daughters who come unto Him.