Mary and Martha
Only one thing is necessary
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and was busy with all the preparations, while her sister Mary sat at Jesus's feet listening. Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus answered, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary," and said Mary had chosen the good portion.
Where it is in the Bible: Luke 10:38-42
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. He is traveling toward Jerusalem.
- Martha: A woman who welcomes Jesus into her home. She is busy getting everything ready.
- Mary: Martha's sister. She sits and listens to Jesus.
Setting
- A village where Martha lives. John's Gospel says Mary and Martha lived in Bethany, near Jerusalem (John 11:1).
When
- About 2,000 years ago, while Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.
Before the Story
Jesus had just told a story about a good neighbor. A man was beaten and left by the road. A Samaritan stopped and took care of him (10:30-37).
Jesus and his disciples were traveling. They often stayed in people's homes along the way.
Welcoming guests was very important. Hosts were expected to give travelers food, water, and a place to rest.
Here's what you know: In John's Gospel, we learn that "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" (John 11:5). This was a family Jesus loved.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A welcome | 10:38 | Martha welcomes Jesus into her home |
| 2. At his feet | 10:39 | Mary sits and listens |
| 3. "Tell her to help me!" | 10:40 | Martha complains to Jesus |
| 4. "Martha, Martha" | 10:41-42 | Jesus answers Martha |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4A Welcome
As Jesus and his disciples traveled, they came to a village.
A woman named Martha welcomed Jesus into her home.
Scene 2 of 4At His Feet
Martha had a sister named Mary.
Mary "sat at the Lord's feet listening to His message" (10:39).
Sitting at a teacher's feet was how a student learned from a teacher. Mary was learning from Jesus.
Scene 3 of 4"Tell Her to Help Me!"
But Martha was distracted by all the work. There was so much to get ready.
Finally Martha came to Jesus. "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!" (10:40).
Martha was not shy. She told Jesus exactly how she felt.
Scene 4 of 4"Martha, Martha"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord replied, "you are worried and upset about many things" (10:41).
Jesus said her name twice. He spoke to her kindly.
"But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her" (10:42).
A portion is a share, like a serving of food. Martha was busy with the meal. Mary had chosen the best share: being with Jesus and listening to him.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Martha welcomed Him into her home" (10:38) | Martha did a good thing. She opened her home to Jesus. |
| "Sat at the Lord's feet listening" (10:39) | Mary took the place of a learner. She listened to Jesus. |
| "Distracted by all the preparations" (10:40) | Martha's work pulled her attention away from Jesus. |
| "Lord, do You not care" (10:40) | Martha brought her frustration straight to Jesus. |
| "Martha, Martha" (10:41) | Jesus answered her gently, by name. |
| "Only one thing is necessary" (10:42) | Listening to Jesus matters most. Everything else comes after. |
| "It will not be taken away from her" (10:42) | What Jesus gives us in his word lasts forever. |
Back Then
Students sat at a teacher's feet. The apostle Paul said he was educated "at the feet of Gamaliel" (Acts 22:3), a famous teacher. Mary took that place with Jesus.
Usually only men sat as students. Many teachers did not teach women this way. Jesus let Mary stay and learn.
Mary and Martha appear again in John's Gospel. Jesus raised their brother Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Later, Martha served a dinner for Jesus, and Mary poured perfume on his feet (John 12:2-3).
Literal Reader Alert
Is it wrong to work hard or cook for people? No. Martha's welcome was good. Jesus didn't tell her that serving was bad. He said she was worried and upset, and that she was missing the one thing that matters most.
Was Jesus taking sides? He didn't scold Martha. He spoke to her kindly and by name. He also didn't send Mary to the kitchen. He protected her place at his feet.
Is Mary better than Martha? No. Jesus loved them both (John 11:5). Both sisters show up again in John's Gospel. Martha is the one who tells Jesus, "I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God" (John 11:27).
Does this mean I should never be busy? Everyone has work to do. This story asks what comes first. Time with Jesus in his word is not one more chore on the list. It's the gift.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Martha | Welcoming | She opened her home to Jesus (10:38) |
| Mary | Peaceful | She sat and listened to Jesus (10:39) |
| Martha | Frustrated | Her sister left her to do all the work (10:40) |
| Martha | Worried | She was upset about many things (10:41) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Are you more like Mary or Martha today? Tap one.
Like Martha
Lots of us are. Jesus says your name kindly, twice. You can stop for a minute and listen to him.
Like Mary
Good. Mary chose the good portion. It won't be taken away from you.
Both, sort of
That's normal. Jesus loved both sisters. Let him have the first part of your day.
Too busy to answer
That's a Martha answer. Jesus isn't angry. He's inviting you to sit down.
You Might Have Heard
"The best Christians are the busiest ones."
What's true: Serving others is good. Jesus said so many times.
What the story is mainly about: Before we serve Jesus, Jesus serves us. He gives us his word. Mary sat and received. That is "the good portion" (10:42).
Where Jesus is: In a busy house, sitting with someone who's listening, and gently calling a worried sister by name.
Good News
Martha was worried about many things. Jesus didn't add to her list. He took things off it.
"Only one thing is necessary" (10:42).
Jesus himself is the good portion. You don't have to earn time with him. He gives himself to you in his word.
Jesus calls worried people by name. Listening to him is the one thing that lasts.
Big Idea
Martha was busy and worried. Mary sat and listened. Jesus says only one thing is necessary: being with him and hearing his word.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In the Small Catechism, Luther explains the Third Commandment: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." He teaches that we should not despise preaching and God's word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it. Mary did just that.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Luke 10:38-42 in July of Year C (Lectionary 16), the Sunday after the Good Samaritan.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
But only one thing is necessary.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 16 Year CGospel, Luke 10:38–42
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Mary and Martha, explained in plain words. Martha is busy and upset. Mary sits and listens. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/mary-and-martha/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church