Mary of Bethany was a biblical figure from the village of Bethany, located near Jerusalem. As the sister of Martha and Lazarus, she is prominently featured in the Gospel of John. She is recognized for her deep devotion to Jesus, notably through her emotional response to the death of her brother and her act of anointing the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume. While some historical traditions conflated her with other women in the Gospels, she is now recognized as a distinct saint in many Christian traditions.