

“Simon” in conjunction with a “Mariamne” rang a bell for me, as it might for you by now, because of High Priest Simon son of Boethus and his daughter Mariamne II married to Herod the King. Simon, Martha, Mariamne, and Lazarus are the names of the “friends” of Jesus in Bethany. Also, saving the marriage ceremony for just before going up to Jerusalem–Jesus is quoted often as being against marriage…until the kingdom came…this fateful trip up to Jerusalem, it seems, was his deliberate inauguration of the return of the kingdom. If Jesus saved a betrothal or marriage until just before going up to Jerusalem to make his case to Pilate and through him to Rome, my guess is that the marriage was an alliance that would strengthen his bloodline case.

She is usually depicted as doing obeisance to her Lord…as in betrothed…and as king.Īs I have attempted to show, royalty did not marry for love…they made marriage alliances. Notice that Mary is on her knees and facing Jesus rather than her brother newly out of the grave. (c) Glasgow Museums Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation Jesus resurrecting his Beloved friend Lazarus with Martha and Mary in attendance.
