Estuary of Theology 18 Challenge of John the Evangelist (1) The Gospel of John describes Mary of Bethany as a peculiar woman. Other women, such as the mother of Jesus at the scene of the wedding of Cana, the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, Martha of Bethany and Mary Magdalene, though they were different from each other in characteristics, being influenced by Jesus, come to try to make the relationship of “God and a man and the neighbour” considering their neighbours when they face Jesus. Martha of Bethany was lifted being guided by Jesus to the extent that she said the same confession as Peter the Apostle did.*1 She was connected to the Father like Peter.*2 However, Mary of Bethany was not. *1 “ Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world. ” (John 11:27) *2 “ Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. ” (Matthew 16:17) Let us look at the scene of Luke first.