Luke 10
The Story of Martha and Mary
Martha serves and Mary sits at Jesus' feet; Jesus teaches what cannot be taken away.
Setting and Context
Luke 10 places Martha and Mary after the parable of the good Samaritan. The scene balances active service and attentive discipleship. Jesus does not despise hospitality; He refuses to let anxiety displace hearing His word.
The Story
Jesus comes to a certain village, and Martha receives Him into her house. Her sister Mary sits at Jesus' feet and hears His word, taking the posture of a disciple.
Martha is cumbered about much serving. She comes to Jesus and asks whether He does not care that Mary has left her to serve alone, urging Him to bid Mary help.
Jesus answers, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful." Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Meaning and Importance
Jesus enters a village and is received by Martha. Mary sits at His feet and hears His word while Martha is cumbered with serving. Jesus gently redirects Martha to the one needful thing Mary has chosen.
Martha and Mary teach that service without attentiveness can become anxious distraction. Jesus values hospitality, yet He prioritizes hearing His word. The "good part" is relationship and discipleship that lasts.
Biblical Art Connected to This Story
Key KJV Verses
Luke 10:38
“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.”
Read Luke 10Luke 10:39
“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.”
Read Luke 10Luke 10:40
“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.”
Read Luke 10Luke 10:41
“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:”
Read Luke 10Luke 10:42
“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Read Luke 10What This Story Teaches
- Hearing Jesus' word is not optional extras for disciples.
- Service can become anxious when it loses sight of Christ.
- What is received from Jesus cannot be taken away.
Questions about Martha and Mary
Where is Martha and Mary in the Bible?
The account of Martha and Mary hosting Jesus is found in Luke 10.
What did Jesus say was needful?
Jesus said one thing is needful, and that Mary had chosen the good part of sitting at His feet and hearing His word.
Related Bible stories
Get new Bible story resources
New Vesper story pages, reader upgrades, and study tools connected to stories like Martha and Mary.
By joining, you agree to receive Vesper updates. Unsubscribe anytime.