38Now as they were traveling, he himself entered a certain village. A woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest into her house. [10:39] And she had a sister called Mary, who also, having sat down at the feet of the Lord, was continually listening to his word. [10:40] But Martha was distracted by much service. Having come up, she said, "Lord, is it of no concern to you that my sister has left me alone to serve? Tell her therefore to help me." [10:41] Answering, the Lord said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things— [10:42] yet few things are necessary, or just one. For Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
LUK 10:38-42
Martha and Mary
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, hospitality was a sacred duty, especially for women like Martha, who managed household affairs. Welcoming a guest like Jesus involved significant preparation—food, water, and ensuring honor for the visitor. Martha’s distraction reflects the intense pressure of these tasks, which were essential to maintaining household and social reputation. Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet, however, would have been startling. In Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, sitting at a teacher’s feet was a posture reserved for disciples—typically men. Mary’s action transgressed gender norms, positioning her as a learner in a male-dominated space. Jesus’ affirmation of Mary’s choice challenged societal expectations, elevating spiritual engagement over traditional domestic roles. This interaction would have disrupted listeners’ assumptions about gender, hospitality, and the priorities of discipleship.
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How other translations render this
LUK 10:38
- KJV
- Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
- BSB
- As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
- Koinōnos
- Now as they were traveling, he himself entered a certain village. A woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest into her house.
LUK 10:39
- KJV
- And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
- BSB
- She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lordʼs feet listening to His message.
- Koinōnos
- And she had a sister called Mary, who also, having sat down at the feet of the Lord, was continually listening to his word.
LUK 10:40
- KJV
- But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
- BSB
- But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”
- Koinōnos
- But Martha was distracted by much service. Having come up, she said, "Lord, is it of no concern to you that my sister has left me alone to serve? Tell her therefore to help me.
LUK 10:41
- KJV
- And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
- BSB
- “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things.
- Koinōnos
- Answering, the Lord said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things—
LUK 10:42
- KJV
- But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
- BSB
- But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
- Koinōnos
- yet few things are necessary, or just one. For Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 10:38
- named:The word translated 'received' here implies a welcoming hospitality, specifically taking someone into one's home as a guest, not just a casual greeting.
LUK 10:40
- was distracted:The term translated 'was distracted' suggests being pulled in many directions or overwhelmed by various concerns, like being stretched thin by multiple tasks.
- service.:The word translated 'service' refers to practical, often humble, acts of ministry or waiting on others, particularly in a domestic or communal setting.
LUK 10:41
- you are anxious:The word translated 'you are anxious' carries the sense of being worried, troubled, or cumbered with many cares, often to the point of distraction.