Original Word: Μαρία or Μαριάμ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine; Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Maria or Mariam
Pronunciation: mah-REE-ah or mah-ree-AHM
Phonetic Spelling: (mar-ee'-ah)
KJV: Mary
NASB: Mary, Mary's
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H4813 (מִריָם - Miriam))]

1. Maria or Mariam (i.e. Mirjam), the name of six Christian females

Mary.

Or Mariam (mar-ee-am') of Hebrew origin (Miryam); Maria or Mariam (i.e. Mirjam), the name of six Christian females -- Mary.

see HEBREW Miryam

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Miryam
Definition
Mary, the name of several Christian women
NASB Translation
Mary (53), Mary's (1).

STRONGS NT 3137: Μαριάμ

Μαριάμ indeclinable, and Μαρία, Μαρίας, ἡ (מִרְיָם 'obstinacy,' 'rebelliousness'; the well-known proper name of the sister of Moses; in the Targums מַרְיָם; cf. Delitzsch, Zeitschr. f. luth. Theol. for 1877, p. 2 (Maria is a good Latin name also)), Mary. The women of this name mentioned in the N. T. are the following:

1. the mother of Jesus Christ, the wife of Joseph; her name is written Μαρία (in an oblique case) in Matthew 1:16, 18; Matthew 2:11; Mark 6:3; Luke 1:41; Acts 1:14 (R G L); Μαριάμ Matthew 13:55; Luke 1:27, 30-56 ((in Luke 1:38 L marginal reading Μαρία)); Luke 2:5, 16, 34; (Acts 1:14 T Tr WH); the reading varies between the two forms in Matthew 1:20 (WH text Μαρίαν); Luke 2:19 (L T Tr WH text Μαρία); so where the other women of this name are mentioned, (see Tdf. Proleg., p. 116, where it appears that in his text the genitive is always (seven times) Μαρίας; the nominative in Mark always (seven times) Μαρία; that in John Μαριάμ occurs eleven times; Μαρία (or Μαρίαν) only three times, etc.; for the facts respecting the manuscripts, see (Tdf. as above and) WHs Appendix, p. 156); cf. Buttmann, 17 (15).

2. Mary Magdalene (a native of Magdala): Matthew 27:56, 61; Matthew 28:1; Mark 15:40, 47; Mark 16:1, 9; Luke 8:2; Luke 24:10; John 19:25; John 20:1, 11, 16, 18.

3. the mother of James the less and Joses, the wife of Clopas (or Alphaeus) and sister of the mother of Jesus: Matthew 27:56, 61; Matthew 28:1; Mark 15:40, 47; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10; John 19:25 (see Ἰάκωβος, 2). There are some, indeed, who, thinking it improbable that there were two living sisters of the name of Mary (the common opinion), suppose that not three but four women are enumerated in John 19:25, and that these are distributed into two pairs so that ἀδελφή τῆς μητρός Ἰησοῦ designates Salome, the wife of Zebedee; so especially Wieseler in the Theol. Studien und Kritiken for 1840, p. 648ff, (cf. Lightfoots Commentary on Galatians, Diasert. ii., especially, pp. 255f, 264) with whom Lücke, Meyer, Ewald and others agree; in opposed to them cf. Grimm in Ersch and Gruber's Encykl. sect. 2 vol. xxii., p. 1f. In fact, instances are not lacking among the Jews of two living brothers of the same name, e. g. Onias, in Josephus, Antiquities 12, 5, 1; Herod, sons of Herod the Great, one by Mariamne, the other by Cleopatra of Jerusalem, Josephus, Antiquities 17, 1, 3; b. j. 1, 28, 4; (cf. B. D., under the phrase, Mary of Cleophas; Lightfoot as above, p. 264).

4. the sister of Lazarus and Martha: Luke 10:39, 42; John 11:1-45; John 12:3.

5. the mother of John Mark: Acts 12:12.

6. a certain Christian woman mentioned in Romans 16:6.

Overview of the Name

The feminine name rendered “Mary” represents numerous women in the New Testament narrative. Although identical in Greek spelling, the contexts distinguish at least six individual women whose lives intersect crucial moments in redemptive history. Together their appearances span the incarnation, public ministry, passion, resurrection, and early church witness.

Mary the Mother of Jesus

• Key Passages: Matthew 1–2; Luke 1–2; John 2:1-12; John 19:25-27; Acts 1:14
• Role in Salvation History: Chosen vessel of the incarnation, exemplary in humble submission—“Behold, the bondservant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
• Highlights

– Receives Gabriel’s annunciation (Luke 1:26-38).

– Magnifies the Lord in the “Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55).

– Presents the infant Christ in the temple where Simeon foretells future sorrow (Luke 2:34-35).

– Appears at the first sign in Cana (John 2:1-11) and at the cross, where Jesus entrusts her to John (John 19:26-27).

– Continues steadfastly in prayer with the apostles after the ascension (Acts 1:14).

Her life testifies to willing obedience, prophetic insight, and persevering faith from cradle to cross.

Mary Magdalene

• Key Passages: Luke 8:2; Matthew 27:56-28:10; Mark 15:40-16:11; John 20:1-18
• Delivered Disciple: Once oppressed by “seven demons” (Luke 8:2), she became a devoted follower who supported the Galilean ministry.
• Witness of the Passion: Present at the crucifixion (Matthew 27:56), burial (Mark 15:47), and first at the tomb on resurrection morning.
• First Commissioned Evangelist: The risen Lord said, “Go to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father’ ” (John 20:17). Her testimony anchors the historicity of the empty tomb and models transformed witness.

Mary of Bethany (Sister of Martha and Lazarus)

• Key Passages: Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-12:8
• Devoted Listener: Sat “at the Lord’s feet listening to His word” (Luke 10:39), illustrating discipleship that prioritizes communion over busyness.
• Faith Under Trial: Confessed Christ’s authority even amid Lazarus’ death (John 11:32).
• Extravagant Worship: Anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume, filling the house with fragrance (John 12:3), a prophetic act anticipating His burial (John 12:7).

Her account underscores worship, faith, and prophetic insight.

Mary the Mother of James the Less and Joses

• Key Passages: Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40, Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10
• Faithful Follower from Galilee: Mark 15:41 notes that she had “followed Him and served Him” during His ministry.
• At Crucifixion and Tomb: Stood near the cross and later brought spices with Mary Magdalene and Salome to anoint the body, thereby participating in the circumstances leading to the angelic proclamation of resurrection.

Mary the Wife of Clopas

• Key Passage: John 19:25

Often taken as the same person as the mother of James and Joses, she appears beside the cross with Jesus’ mother, underscoring family and covenant faithfulness in moments of deepest suffering.

Mary the Mother of John Mark

• Key Passage: Acts 12:12

Owner of the Jerusalem house where believers gathered for prayer during Peter’s imprisonment. Her hospitality provided a strategic meeting place for the early church and likely influenced Mark’s future ministry.

Mary of Rome

• Key Passage: Romans 16:6

Commended by Paul: “Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.” Her unnamed labors exemplify the quiet diligence that undergirds church growth.

Collective Theological Themes

1. Faithful Presence: Every Mary appears near turning points—birth, miracles, cross, resurrection, missionary advance.
2. Service and Support: From financial provision (Luke 8:3 implied) to prayer meetings (Acts 12:12), their ministries enable gospel progress.
3. Witness and Testimony: Their voices validate both the darkest hour of Calvary and the dawn of resurrection.
4. Discipleship Model: Listening, worshiping, enduring sorrow, and proclaiming good news reflect holistic devotion expected of all believers.

Occurrences Summary

Fifty-four New Testament appearances cluster in the Gospels and Acts, with a single Pauline greeting. Matthew and Mark emphasize crucifixion presence; Luke highlights incarnation and teaching settings; John provides intimate resurrection dialogue.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Encourage wholehearted submission to God’s call, following Mary of Nazareth’s example.
• Affirm women’s strategic roles in proclamation and support of gospel work.
• Value unseen labor, as with Mary of Rome, alongside public witness.
• Adopt a posture of worship and listening that characterizes Mary of Bethany.

Μαρια Μαρία Μαρίᾳ Μαριαμ Μαριάμ Μαριὰμ Μαριαν Μαρίαν Μαριας Μαρίας Maria María Maríāi Mariam Mariám Mariàm Marian Marían Marias MaríasInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts