Mary and Martha: Choosing the Better Part
Luke 10:38-42
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Luke.10.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εν: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πορευεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- εισηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- κωμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τινα·γυνη: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Μαρθα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υπεδεξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 10:39-42 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Martha’s reception of Jesus is followed by her serving and the contrast with Mary’s attentive listening (set piece of the Martha–Mary episode).
- John 11:1-2 (verbal): Same household identified by name (Martha, Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany); links the Luke episode to the broader Johannine portrayal of this family and their relationship to Jesus.
- John 12:2-3 (thematic): A later Bethany dinner where Martha serves and Mary anoints Jesus—repeats the themes of hospitality, service, and the distinctive roles/actions of the two sisters.
- Matthew 26:6-13 (thematic): An anointing episode in a house at Bethany (also in Mark 14); connects to the motif of a woman’s devotion expressed in a domestic setting and Jesus’ response defending her act.
- Genesis 18:1-8 (thematic): Patriarchal model of receiving divine or important visitors and providing food and hospitality—ancient background for understanding the significance of welcoming Jesus into one’s home.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received him into her house.
- As they went on their way he entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
Luke.10.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τηδε: PRON,nom,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αδελφη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- καλουμενη: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,f
- Μαριαμ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- παρακαθεσθεισα: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,f,sg
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ηκουεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 10:38 (structural): Immediate narrative counterpart introducing Martha and setting the scene for Mary sitting at Jesus' feet (same episode).
- John 11:1-2 (allusion): Identifies Mary of Bethany (sister of Martha and Lazarus) and links the character named Mary in Luke 10 with the Mary who anointed Jesus in John's Gospel.
- John 12:1-3 (verbal): Describes Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus and attending him at his feet in a domestic Bethany setting—parallels the image of Mary seated at Jesus' feet listening to his word.
- Luke 7:37-38 (thematic): A woman anoints Jesus' feet and sits at his feet to hear him; thematically parallels the posture of devotion and attentive listening represented by Mary in Luke 10:39.
- Mark 14:3-9 (thematic): Parallel anointing episode (also in Matthew 26) at Bethany that echoes the role of Mary as devoted follower who attends Jesus at his feet; connects to the broader tradition of women serving and listening to Jesus.
Alternative generated candidates
- She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.
- She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his word.
Luke.10.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- Μαρθα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- περιεσπατο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- περι: PREP
- πολλην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- διακονιαν·επιστασα: NOUN,acc,sg,f+VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν·Κυριε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg + NOUN,voc,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- μελει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- οτι: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αδελφη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- μονην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- κατελειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- διακονειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ειπε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- συναντιλαβηται: VERB,aor,mid,subj,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 10:41-42 (verbal): Immediate continuation where Jesus replies to Martha: ‘Martha, Martha… anxious and distracted about many things,’ echoing the complaint about her busy serving and affirming Mary’s choice.
- Luke 10:39 (structural): Earlier verse in the same scene: Mary ‘sat at the Lord’s feet’ listening to him, providing the contrast to Martha’s serving that prompts Martha’s request in 10:40.
- John 11:20-27 (thematic): Martha’s later conversation with Jesus about faith and resurrection shows her character and relationship with Jesus, paralleling her active, service-oriented role in Luke’s pericope.
- John 12:1-8 (thematic): Account of Mary anointing Jesus in Bethany (often identified with the Mary of Luke 10) highlights Mary’s devotional choice that contrasts with Martha’s emphasis on hospitality and service.
- Mark 14:3-9 (allusion): Synoptic parallel to the anointing story (cf. John 12) which thematically contrasts acts of devotional listening/adoration with practical service duties—contextually related to the Mary–Martha contrast.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Martha was distracted with much serving; so she came up and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her, then, to help me.'
- But Martha was distracted by much serving; she came up and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.'
Luke.10.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος·Μαρθα: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Μαρθα: PROPN,voc,sg,f
- μεριμνας: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- θορυβαζη: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- περι: PREP
- πολλα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 6:25-34 (verbal): Jesus' teaching 'Do not worry' (Greek μεριμνάω) addresses the same concern about anxiety and preoccupation with many things; thematically contrasts trust in God with anxious care.
- Luke 12:22-31 (verbal): A Lukan parallel where Jesus again commands 'Do not be anxious' (Μὴ μεριμνάτε), expanding on God's provision as the remedy for worry—echoes the theme of Martha's distraction by many cares.
- Philippians 4:6 (thematic): Paul's exhortation 'Do not be anxious about anything' (μηδὲν μεριμνάτε) offers a pastoral solution to anxiety—prayer and thanksgiving—in continuity with Jesus' critique of anxious distraction.
- 1 Peter 5:7 (thematic): Peter's instruction to 'cast all your anxieties on him' (πάντα τὰ μέριμνά ὑμῶν ἐπιρίψατε) thematically counterpoints Martha's burden of care by urging reliance on God.
- Luke 22:31 (structural): Jesus' double-address 'Simon, Simon' parallels the formula 'Martha, Martha'—a Lukan rhetorical device used to emphasize personal address and impending rebuke or instruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are anxious and troubled about many things.'
- Jesus answered, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.'
Luke.10.42 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ολιγων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- χρεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ενος·Μαριαμ: NUM,gen,sg,ne+NOUN,nom,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αγαθην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- μεριδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εξελεξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ητις: PRON,rel,nom,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αφαιρεθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 10:38-41 (structural): Immediate context of the episode (Martha and Mary); vv.38–41 set up Jesus’ rebuke and contrast between distraction by many things and choosing the one necessary thing.
- Matthew 6:33 (thematic): Both passages urge prioritizing spiritual necessities over anxious concern for material needs—seeking God’s kingdom first parallels Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet.
- John 10:28-29 (verbal): The promise that what is chosen/held by Jesus will not be taken away echoes John’s language about believers not being snatched from the Shepherd’s hand.
- Matthew 13:44-46 (thematic): The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price parallel the idea of recognizing and choosing one supreme, enduring good above all else.
- Philippians 3:8-9 (thematic): Paul’s valuation of knowing Christ as surpassing all things parallels Mary’s selection of the ‘good portion’ as the one indispensable possession.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'
- But one thing is necessary; Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
As they went on their way, he entered a certain village; a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted by all the serving. She came up and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her, therefore, to help me."
Jesus answered, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.
Only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken from her."