Luke 10:40

38 As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.

39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message.

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!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things.

42 But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

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!”
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.
WEB
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”
ASV
But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
DARBY
Now Martha was distracted with much serving, and coming up she said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Speak to her therefore that she may help me.
BLB
But Martha was distracted about much service; and having stood, she said, “Lord, is it not concerning to You that my sister left me alone to serve? Therefore speak to her so that she might help me!”
ÅB
Men Marta hadde det meget travelt med å tjene ham; hun gikk da fram og sa: Herre! bryr du deg ikke om at min søster har latt meg bli alene om å tjene deg? Si da til henne at hun skal hjelpe meg!
OTB
Men Marta var opptatt med alt som skulle gjøres. Hun kom til ham og spurte: "Herre, bryr du deg ikke om at min søster har latt meg gjøre alt arbeidet alene? Si til henne at hun skal hjelpe meg!"
B1930
Men Marta hadde det meget travelt med å tjene ham; hun gikk da frem og sa: Herre! bryr du dig ikke om at min søster har latt mig bli alene om å tjene dig? Si da til henne at hun skal hjelpe mig!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • John 6:27

    Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

    Read in context
  • Luke 12:29

    And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 16:22

    Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!”

    Read in context
  • Matthew 14:15

    When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

    Read in context
  • Jonah 4:1–4

    Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry.

    Read in context
  • Mark 3:21

    When His family heard about this, they went out to take custody of Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.”

    Read in context
  • Luke 9:55

    But Jesus turned and rebuked them.

    Read in context