Luke 10 41

Luke 10:41 kjv

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Luke 10:41 nkjv

And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

Luke 10:41 niv

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,

Luke 10:41 esv

But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

Luke 10:41 nlt

But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!

Luke 10 verses

Luke 10 41 Meaning

In Luke 10:41, Jesus addresses Martha directly, expressing deep concern over her agitated state. He acknowledges that she is overburdened with anxiety and preoccupation about numerous tasks and preparations for His visit. This verse highlights Jesus' discernment of her inward turmoil beneath her outward complaint, indicating that her practical service, while good, was hindering her ability to receive what was most essential.

Luke 10 41 Context

Luke 10:41 occurs within the narrative of Jesus' visit to the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany, a well-known passage illustrating a foundational principle of discipleship. Just prior, Jesus had sent out seventy-two disciples with instructions focused on spreading the Gospel and prioritizing spiritual mission. This encounter shifts from public ministry to an intimate domestic setting, yet continues to teach on the true nature of serving God. Martha, as the diligent host, becomes "distracted" by the extensive preparations for Jesus and His disciples, while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teaching. The verse follows Martha's complaint to Jesus, asking Him to tell Mary to help her. Historically, hospitality was a vital cultural duty in the ancient Near East, reflecting honor to guests. Martha's efforts were commendable within that framework, embodying generosity and diligence. However, Jesus' response subtly challenges the common understanding of "good works" by prioritizing the "one thing needful" – hearing God's Word – over the multitude of temporal responsibilities. There isn't a direct polemic against specific contemporary beliefs, but rather a re-orientation of priorities away from cultural expectations of hospitality or earthly diligence, when they supersede spiritual attention.

Luke 10 41 Word analysis

• answered (ἀποκριθεὶς - apokritheis): The Greek aorist passive participle suggests that Jesus' reply was not merely a reaction but a well-considered and decisive response. It signifies a clear pronouncement.
• Lord (ὁ Κύριος - ho Kyrios): This title signifies Jesus' divine authority and His sovereign right to define what is truly essential. It elevates His words beyond a mere suggestion from a guest to an authoritative statement from the Divine Master.
• Martha, Martha (Μάρθα, Μάρθα - Martha, Martha): The repetition of her name is a powerful rhetorical device in the Bible, signifying deep earnestness, profound affection, a plea for attention, or sometimes a solemn warning. Here, it conveys tender concern mixed with a firm redirection, highlighting the gravity of her distracted state to Jesus.
• you are worried (μεριμνᾷς - merimnas): This verb means to be anxious, to be burdened with cares, to be distracted or troubled in mind. It denotes an inner turmoil or a divided mind, which hinders single-minded devotion. It’s the same root word used in the Sermon on the Mount concerning worry (Mt 6:25).
• and bothered (θρυβάζῃ - thrybazē): A rarer and stronger Greek verb, found only here in the New Testament. It means "to be troubled, agitated, or disturbed" with many anxieties. It emphasizes the outward manifestation of Martha's inner worries, indicating a state of being greatly distracted and fussed about. It describes a restless, flustered, and vexed spirit.
• so many things (πολλῶν - pollon): The Greek dative plural points to the numerous preparations or activities Martha was engrossed in. This phrase contrasts sharply with the "one thing" (ἑνός - henos) Jesus mentions in the subsequent verse, clearly establishing a distinction between the essential spiritual priority and the multitude of lesser concerns, however valid they might seem in themselves.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "answered and said to her": Emphasizes a direct and intentional response from Jesus to Martha's specific complaint and underlying state.
• "you are worried and bothered": This pairing vividly describes Martha's dual state – internal anxiety ("worried") manifesting in outward agitation and disturbance ("bothered"). It goes beyond her merely being busy, pinpointing a spiritual and emotional struggle.
• "about so many things": This phrase directly pinpoints the cause of Martha's distress – an excessive preoccupation with multiple, likely mundane, tasks. It highlights how focusing on the quantity of tasks can obscure the quality or spiritual priority of "the one thing needful."

Luke 10 41 Bonus section

The tender yet firm address "Martha, Martha" mirrors other significant moments where Jesus or God uses such repetition (e.g., Lk 13:34 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem"; Acts 9:4 "Saul, Saul"; Lk 22:31 "Simon, Simon"). This repeated address is not merely a call for attention but signifies profound emotion—whether compassion, a strong warning, or a deep plea. In Martha's case, it underlines Jesus' care for her while simultaneously highlighting the seriousness of her distraction and misplaced focus. It implies, "My dear Martha, despite your genuine effort, you have missed the higher value." The context also positions Jesus as not just a guest, but the divine host of eternal life, making the "many things" of human provision seem trivial in comparison to the "one thing" of spiritual nourishment that He provides.

Luke 10 41 Commentary

Luke 10:41 reveals Jesus' profound understanding of the human heart, piercing through Martha's expressed complaint to address her inner turmoil. While Martha's desire to serve was commendable, her approach had become misguided, causing her to be consumed by stress rather than remaining present and open to divine teaching. Jesus’ response is not a rebuke of hospitality or diligent service itself, but rather a gentle, yet firm, redirection of priorities. He identifies the core issue as being "worried and bothered," indicating an emotional and spiritual state of distraction and anxiety stemming from an over-focus on worldly duties. This verse serves as a timeless caution against allowing the good (serving, hospitality, daily tasks) to eclipse the best (communing with God, hearing His Word, prioritizing spiritual truth). It invites disciples to evaluate where their energy and attention are primarily directed, challenging them to find stillness and devotion even amidst the demands of life, much like Mary did. This re-prioritization leads to an inward peace, freeing the individual from the self-imposed burdens of endless tasks and societal expectations, ensuring that our efforts truly align with God's primary call on our lives.