34 · Words and actions of Jesus

Martha and Mary

Luke 10:38–42

Läs på svenska
Mary sits at Jesus' feet listening while Martha stands nearby occupied with household service in a biblical-era home.

Martha welcomes Jesus into her home and becomes occupied with much serving.

Is serving less important than listening to Jesus?

Choose a perspective

There is no score – choose the perspective you find closest and discuss why.

Discuss: Can something good become an obstacle when it obscures what matters most?

After your discussion: compare with our assessment

Our assessment

A takes diakonia seriously. Martha is occupied with service, something not inherently portrayed as bad. Jesus' response addresses her distraction and anxiety over “many things” rather than condemning practical work itself. C takes Mary's position seriously. She sits at Jesus' feet and listens to his word, and Jesus explicitly defends her choice by saying the good portion will not be taken from her.

34 · Luke 10:38–42

Go deeper

Text & context

Full translation

38 As they were traveling, he entered a village. A woman named Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his word. 40 But Martha was being pulled away by much serving. She came up and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me alone to serve? Tell her to help me.” 41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken from her.”

Translated from the Greek text – SBLGNT

What is happening here?
Martha welcomes Jesus into her home. Her sister Mary sits at the Lord's feet and listens to his teaching. Martha, meanwhile, is occupied with “much serving.” Luke does not describe her as busy with something obviously bad. He uses diakonia, a word for service or ministry. The problem arises as the serving pulls Martha in different directions and fills her with anxiety. She asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus responds personally: “Martha, Martha.” He contrasts her anxiety about many things with the one thing that is necessary. Mary has chosen “the good portion,” and Jesus says it will not be taken from her.
Notice this

Martha is not distracted by something obviously bad. Luke says she is distracted by: “much serving.” Something good can therefore occupy so much attention that a person misses what the moment requires. Mary, meanwhile, sits at Jesus' feet and listens to his word. She is not simply portrayed as resting while Martha works, but as listening to a teacher. Jesus also says that her choice: “will not be taken from her.”

Language & translation

From the Greek

παρακαθεσθεῖσα πρὸς τοὺς πόδας τοῦ κυρίου – parakatheistheisa pros tous podas tou kyriou

sat at the Lord's feet The wording portrays Mary in the position of a listening student before Jesus. Sitting at a teacher's feet can be associated with the position of a disciple.

ἤκουεν τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ – ēkouen ton logon autou

listened to his word Mary is not merely passive or resting. She is actively listening to Jesus' teaching.

περιεσπᾶτο – periespato

was distracted / pulled away From perispaō. The word conveys being drawn away or pulled in different directions.

πολλὴν διακονίαν – pollēn diakonian

much serving Diakonia means service, ministry, or practical service. The word itself is not negative.

οὐ μέλει σοι – ou melei soi

do you not care? The same wording appears in Mark 4:38 when the disciples wake Jesus during the storm and ask whether he does not care that they are perishing.

μεριμνᾷς – merimnas

you are anxious From merimnaō, a verb used elsewhere for anxiety and worry.

ἑνὸς δέ ἐστιν χρεία – henos de estin chreia

but one thing is necessary This is the main reading of SBLGNT.

τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα – tēn agathēn merida

the good portion Meris can mean a part, share, or portion. The wording may carry both concrete and figurative resonance.

Translation note

Independent English translation from the Greek text, using SBLGNT as the primary Greek edition.

Compare for yourself

Read Luke 10:38–42 together with Luke 10:25–37, the Good Samaritan story immediately before it. The preceding story strongly emphasizes concrete action and care for another person. The Martha and Mary scene therefore should probably not be read as though Luke generally opposes action and service. Pay particular attention to:

  • perispaō
  • diakonia
  • ou melei soi
  • merimnaō
  • chreia
  • meris
  • Mary at Jesus' feet

Also compare Acts 22:3, where being educated “at the feet of Gamaliel” illustrates language associated with a student's relation to a teacher.

Continue the conversation

Discuss further
  1. What exactly does Jesus correct in Martha – her work, her anxiety, or her priorities?
  2. Can service become so extensive that the service itself begins to undermine its purpose?
  3. What does it mean that Jesus defends Mary's place at his feet?
  4. How does the interpretation change when this story is read immediately after the Good Samaritan, where practical action is central?
Parallel passages
  • Luke 10:25–37
  • John 11:1–44
  • John 12:1–8
  • Acts 22:3
Sources
  • The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (SBLGNT), Michael W. Holmes, ed.
  • Luke 10:38–42
  • Standard Greek lexical resources for perispaō, diakonia, melō, merimnaō, chreia, and meris