Image by Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. Jesus commends Mary by rebuking Martha. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, both sisters played a prominent role in the story and their contrasting personalities are evident in this account as well. As Martha hurries to ensure the preparations, Mary simply sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to the wisdom of Christ. For centuries people in the church have puzzled over the Mary and Martha story, knowing that someone has to do the work. John 11:32 tells us that when Mary did finally go to Jesus, she fell at his feet weeping. These are mutually reinforcing, as is the two sisters’ relationship with each other. And Does the Lord say that Martha is doing good with her much serving? One day while Jesus and his disciples stopped to visit in their home, a wonderful lesson unfolded. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:41-42 https://www.learnreligions.com/martha-and-mary-bible-story-summary-700065 Two sisters squabbling about household duties cannot reasonably be construed as a battle of incompatible modes of life. Sitting around discussing doctrine is better than doing the dishes. At the Home of Martha and Mary. Welcoming Jesus and his entourage into her house implied the fullest form of hospitality and involved substantial generosity. It's significant to note, though, that Jesus gently admonished Martha for being "worried and upset," not for serving. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (NLT), Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. Jesus stays in Bethany during His final week on earth. The three siblings were also close friends of Jesus Christ. Instead, Martha should have been like Mary … Martha, like many hostesses, became anxious over impressing her guests. Martha and Mary were two sisters who offered hospitality to Jesus and the people traveling with him. / The village where Martha opened her home to Jesus was Bethany, which was just a few miles east of Jerusalem (v. 38). I find it interesting that Mary is found three times in the Gospels and each time she is at Jesus feet. We must remember what is most important. The One Thing Needed (Luke 10:41–42) To just about everyone else present, Martha’s serving probably … Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening intently to his words. Learn why this simple incident continues to baffle energetic Christians today. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. Jesus did not condemn Martha ’s service, but He did rebuke her for being “torn apart” by so many things (Lk 10:39-41). Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/martha-and-mary-bible-story-summary-700065. Martha and Mary were two most excellent sisters, both converted, both lovers of Jesus, both loved by Jesus, for we are expressly told that He loved Mary and Martha and Lazarus. You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work. Mary and Martha were quite different in their personalities (vv. Last week, we heard about Naomi and Ruth, a mother and her daughter-in-law. It does not set a life of religious contemplation … You will notice that Luke has the Martha and Mary story grouped with the parable of the Good Samaritan, which precedes it (Lk 10:25–37), and the Lord’s Prayer, which immediately follows (Lk 11:1–4). As we read and study the passage, we can reflect on these questions: The story of Mary and Martha takes place in Luke 10:38-42 and John 12:2. When we give Jesus the attention he deserves, he empowers us to serve others. It is intended to reprove that fussy fretfulness which attempts many unneeded things, and ends in worry and fault-finding. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org. Learn Religions, Mar. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” Throughout the Church’s history, this scene has been commented on by many Fathers of the Church and saints. Zavada, Jack. Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Martha … There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Like Martha, am I worried or anxious about many things, or, like Mary, am I focused on listening to Jesus and spending time in his presence? On this episode, Pastor Ken features the story of Jesus' visit to Martha's house in Luke 10. Mary repeats what Martha had said to Jesus, that Jesus could have healed Lazarus if Jesus had arrived while Lazarus was alive. Martha complains that Mary has neglected … Continue reading "Commentary on Luke 10:38-42" There also Martha is active and conspicuous in serving ; Mary, meditative and emotional, pouring her whole soul into one act of love (John 11:31; John 12:3). With your gift of any size, you’ll enable us to continue equipping Christians with high-quality biblically-based content. Zavada, Jack. Today we come to know Jesus better through prayer, church attendance, and Bible study. The main lesson of the story places emphasis on giving attention to Jesus over our own busyness. Does the battle between being a "Mary" or a "Martha" really exist? Explore some common causes of workplace anxiety, and solutions from the Bible. She was so enraptured with Jesus’ teaching that, to quote the beloved hymn, “the things of earth [had grown] strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” It all started when Jesus came to Bethany, to visit the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. But Jesus commended her sister Mary. This familiar story appears only in Luke, yet these two ladies, Mary and Martha, are among the most famous of all Bible characters. Martha performs the kind of generosity Jesus commends in Luke 14:12-14, for he is someone who cannot pay her back in kind. The description of the two sisters here tallies with that given at John 12:2 John 12:3, for there Martha serves and Mary expresses personal devotion. (Luke 10:41-42, NIV). Jesus noted, in effect, that Martha stayed busy with form, but that Mary concentrated on substance. Even still, Martha was a remarkable woman and deserves considerable credit. I have read so many books and articles that address what seems to have become the quintessential battle of the Christian woman. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 10:38-42 A good sermon is not the worse for being preached in a house; and the visits of our friends should be so managed, as to make them turn to the good of their souls. This Bible study, “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, will help us discover where and how to find “intimacy with God even in the busyness of our lives”. They had a brother, Lazarus. We may be inclined at times to let our busy lives of service distract us from spending time with Jesus and listening to his word. Adopted by the Theology of Work Project Board April 26, 2011. But this reading seems to fly in the face of common sense, not to mention Jesus’s own teaching. Mary and Martha are not enemies but sisters. https://www.theologyofwork.org/.../mary-and-martha-luke-1038-42 He commended Mary for choosing the good part, the holy words, truth and faith of Jesus … Never mind if there are jelly blobs turning crusty … They were both women of a choice spirit–our savior’s selection of their house as a frequent resort proved that they were an unusually gracious family. Luke 10:41–42But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. Luke 10:38-42 Mary and Martha. Martha works to prepare dinner, while Mary sits and listens to Jesus. If you have a Bible, look at the text in its context. Be generous and love God. This time, however, Jesus reacts to her weeping, and the weeping of … It is our wisdom to watch against the temptations, and to make use of the advantages of our natural tempers. 30), Balancing Rhythms of Rest and Work (Overview), The Kingdom of God Shows Up at Work (Luke 1-5), Jesus Calls People at Work (Luke 5:1-11; 27-32), John the Baptist Teaches Workplace Ethics (Luke 3:8-14), Jesus is Tempted to Abandon Serving God (Luke 4:1-13), The Ethics of Conflict (Luke 6:27-36; 17:3-4), God's Provision (Luke 9:10-17; 12:4-7; 12:22-31), The Good Samaritan at Work--Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself (Luke 10:25-37), The Shrewd Manager and the Prodigal Son (Luke 16:1-13; 15:11-32), Concern for the Wealthy (Luke 6:25; 12:13-21; 18:18-30), Concern for the Poor (Luke 6:17-26; 16:19-31), Generosity: The Secret to Breaking Wealth's Grip (Luke 10:38-42; 14:12-14; 24:13-15), Investing in Jesus' Work (Luke 8:3; 10:7), Persistence: The Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8), Risk: The Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27), Humble Service (Luke 9:46-50, 14:7-11, 22:24-30), Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. "Mary and Martha Bible Story Study Guide." (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2000). Busy as a bee, cooking and cleaning. They behaved with him in a natural way, speaking openly about what they thought. "Mary and Martha Bible Story Study Guide." The point of this passage, however, is about making Jesus and his word our first priority. Martha is concerned that Mary sits and listens to their guest rather than serving. All rights reserved. Apparently Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were wealthy because quite a few people had come from Jerusalem to mourn with Mary and Martha. Explore the biblical call to rest and break through some of the barriers we... Every resource on our site was made possible through the financial support of people like you. Martha has been compared to the Apostle Peter: practical, impulsive, and short-tempered to the point of rebuking the Lord himself. Mary and Martha Scripture “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 10 Key Points About Work in the Bible That Every Christian Should Know, Beyond Rank and Power: What Philemon Tells Us About Leadership, Need to Find Some Significance in Your Job? 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. But the story must be read against the backdrop of Luke’s Gospel as a whole, where the work of hospitality (a vital form of generosity in the ancient Near East) is one of the chief signs of the in-breaking of God’s kingdom.[1]. Mary and Martha are not frequently mentioned in the New Testament, but their names are well known. Used by workplace Christians, pastors and scholars. Zavada, Jack. We will be finding a balance between “kitchen duties” and “living room intimacy” with Christ. Used with Permission. Mary and Martha, who are sisters, open their home to Jesus as he travels with his disciples. The most famous story about them appears in Following Christ means becoming like Martha and Mary. She should be commended for seeing to the important needs of others. Martha stayed busy supplying her guests with things that made their visit more comfortable. By Dr. Philip W. McLarty Our series on Women of the Bible continues this morning with another pair of women. This is the sermon from our Sunday evening service on 7/24/2016 titled "Mary or Martha, which are you?" In other words, Martha is DISTRACTED by something else, which is keeping her from Jesus, and she actually complains about Mary, when Mary is doing the right thing of giving all her attention to Jesus. Martha’s generous service is not minimized by Jesus, but her worries show that her service needs to be grounded in Mary’s kind of love for him. They lived in a town called Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem. It was quite rare in Jesus' day for a woman to manage her own affairs as the head of the household, and especially to invite a man into her home. We all have aspects of Mary and Martha within us. 42 There is need of only one thing. The mourners who are comforting Mary rise and follow them. Contributors: Aaron Kuecker 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. No, He suggests that she is too "careful" and "troubled" by many things which are keeping her from Him. True hospitality is always in style. Martha appears to be the eldest of the family, and head of the sibling household. (2021, March 4). The story of Mary and Martha is one we can return to study again and again in our walk of faith because the lesson is timeless. What … Martha seeks to please the Lord by doing various things for him. But what do we do with that tension that lives in between the two women who coincide in my heart? Mary and Martha are two sisters with incredibly different focuses. The one thing needed is for Martha to receive the gracious presence of Jesus, to listen to his words, to know that she is valued not for what she does or how well she does it, but for who she is as a child of God. If all 12 apostles and some of the women who supported Jesus' ministry were traveling with him, fixing the meal would have been a major job. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. Truth be told, I have learned a lot about life from books that address the needs of each woman. Although both were upset and disappointed that Jesus did not arrive before Lazarus died, Martha ran out to meet Jesus as soon as she learned he had entered Bethany, but Mary waited at home. Martha asks Jesus to rebuke her sister for not helping, but instead Jesus commends Mary. https://www.learnreligions.com/martha-and-mary-bible-story-summary-700065 (accessed May 11, 2021). While Mary soaks in the moments with Jesus, Martha can't think past the cooking and cleaning. Enjoy the Complete Christmas Story of the Birth of Jesus, The Raising of Lazarus Bible Story Study Guide, Meet Mary Magdalene: Loyal Follower of Jesus, Scripture Readings for Ash Wednesday Through the First Week of Lent, The Ultimate List of Christmas Bible Verses to Celebrate Jesus' Birth, All the People Raised From the Dead in the Bible, The Woman at the Well Bible Story Study Guide, Jesus Is Anointed By a Sinful Woman - Bible Story Study Guide, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. God calls people to both work and rest. Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Commentary Our pericope (story) has an immediate context: Jesus sending out on mission the 72 other disciples to … Mary and Martha were Jesus' good friends. This story was a popular passage in later Patristic writers, who set the pattern for its interpretation right down to the present day. He is the author of "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". Pope Francis said: “What does Jesus mean? The story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) also puts generosity in the context of love for God. Martha attends to the duties of hospitality (40a). The design and structure of Luke’s story about Jesus’ visit in the home of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) is straightforward, and it is told in a linear fashion. Meanwhile, Martha was distracted, working frantically to prepare and serve the meal for her quests. Bible Commentary Think about how it is in your own life when you are in the kitchen. © 2014 by the Theology of Work Project, Inc. Mary listens to Jesus’ teachings (39). Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Explore free resources providing a Biblical perspective on faith and work. Together, the sisters embody the truth that generosity and love of God are intertwined realities. Martha has often been seen as a symbol of activity and work in this world, while Mary is seen as a symbol of contemplation and our future beatific vision of God. Good works should flow from a Christ-centered life; they do not produce a Christ-centered life. Jesus criticizes Martha for her worry and distraction and affirms Mary for listening—thus calling for a “being” discipleship. Learn Religions. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. It's likely we have qualities of both within us. fancycrave1 / Pixabay . The Gospel doesn't specify what she was doing, but anyone who has hosted a guest knows the types of things that would have characterized her hospitality. Produced by TOW Project. “Be a Mary, not a Martha,” the saying goes. Our Lord's rebuke is not aimed at hospitality, nor at a life full of energy and business. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/martha-and-mary-bible-story-summary-700065. Mary is more like the Apostle John: reflective, loving, and calm. The three young people were friends of Jesus. She told Jesus to order Mary to help her with the preparations. They had become cherished personal friends of Jesus during His earthly ministry. Martha and Mary welcome Jesus to their home, but they seek to welcome him in two different ways. Martha extends hospitality to Jesus (38). Between Jesus’ story of loving service and his instruction on pr… 20-22). She would have been finishing up whatever cleaning might be done, … Have I put devotion to Christ and his word first, or am I more concerned about doing good deeds. Jesus in the home of Martha. Mary and Martha Bible Story Study Guide. The Bible story of Mary and Martha has confused Christians for centuries. Some of us tend to be more like Mary in our Christian walk, while others resemble Martha. The Mary-Martha story is the reverse. He calmly told her that she needn’t worry about all of the preparations and that spending time with Him was all that was needed, as Mary had chosen to do. Martha and Mary: A Study in the interpretation of Luke 10:38-42 Chris Gousmett The story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10 has often been seen as an example of the priority which should be given to the devotional life as opposed to merely worldly labour. When we know not what in particular to ask or expect, let us refer … 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. If you’ll recall, two weeks ago, we heard about Leah and Rachel, the wives of Jacob. Jesus, who was quite capable of overwhelming people with his presence, was informal and easy in their company. But all the preparations that had to be made distracted Martha. "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. 'Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her' Luke x 38-42. See Brendan Byrne, The Hospitality of God: A Reading of Luke’s Gospel (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2000). When Martha went to meet Jesus, Mary sat still in the house; this temper formerly had been an advantage to her, when it put her at Christ's feet to hear his word; but in the day of affliction, the same temper disposed her to melancholy. Regrettably, this story has often suffered from dubious interpretations, with Martha becoming the poster child for all that is wrong with the life of busyness and distraction, or what the Medieval Church called the active or working life of Martha, which was permitted but inferior to the perfect life of contemplation or the monastery. Mary and Martha were the sisters Lazarus, the man Jesus raised from the dead. Illustration by William Hole 1846-1917. Frustrated, Martha scolded Jesus, asking him whether he cared that her sister had left her to fix the meal alone. James J. Tissot, 'Mary Magdalene at the Feet of Jesus' (1886-94), gouache on gray wove paper, 7.9 x 10.4 in., Brooklyn Museum, New York. 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