Luke 10:38-42 Meaning: The One Thing Jesus Wants Most
38As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
40But 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.”
41Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
38Now 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.
39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40But 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.
41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
38Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet, and heard his word.
40But 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.
41But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things:
42but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
38And it came to pass, in their going on, that he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman, by name Martha, did receive him into her house,
39and she had also a sister, called Mary, who also, having seated herself beside the feet of Jesus, was hearing the word,
40and Martha was distracted about much serving, and having stood by him, she said, `Sir, dost thou not care that my sister left me alone to serve? say then to her, that she may partake along with me.'
41And Jesus answering said to her, `Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and disquieted about many things,
42but of one thing there is need, and Mary the good part did choose, that shall not be taken away from her.'
38And it came to pass as they went that he entered into a certain village; and a certain woman, Martha by name, received him into her house.
39And she had a sister called Mary, who also, having sat down at the feet of Jesus was listening to his word.
40Now 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.
41But Jesus answering said to her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things;
42but there is need of one, and Mary has chosen the good part, the which shall not be taken from her.
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus gently rebukes Martha's anxious service and affirms Mary's listening. This passage shows us the one thing needed above all else.
Context
This passage sits in the middle of Luke's travel narrative, as Jesus makes his way toward Jerusalem. Right before this, he told the parable of the Good Samaritan, commanding his hearers to love their neighbor through action. Now he enters a village, likely Bethany, and is received by Martha into her home. Martha is busy with hospitality, while her sister Mary sits at Jesus' feet to listen. Both women care about Jesus. But when Martha asks Jesus to intervene, his response shifts the focus from what we do for him to being with him.
Key Words
Two Greek words capture Martha's inner state. The verb periespato describes someone pulled in different directions, like a rope stretched to its limit. Martha was being drawn away from Jesus by her own good work. And Jesus names merimnas and thorubaze, the first means inner anxiety, a mind split between cares. The second means outward commotion, like a noisy crowd. He sees both the worry inside her and the bustle outside.
Then Jesus speaks of Mary's choice. The Greek word for portion is merida, a share or allotment, as in an inheritance. Mary chose the good share, the one that will not be taken from her. Not a better activity, but a different kind of treasure altogether.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have found different emphasis in this scene. Reformed readers, with Calvin, caution against reading Jesus as endorsing a withdrawn, contemplative life. Mary was not idle but attentive to Christ's teaching. Wesleyan commentators like Adam Clarke highlight Martha's distracted mind, pulled between competing cares. Anglican scholars note the tenderness of Jesus repeating her name, a sign of love not harsh rebuke. Baptist expositor John Gill sees the one thing needful as the hearing of Christ's word for salvation. All recognize that Jesus is not against service itself, but against the anxiety that separates us from him.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Jesus was telling Martha that serving him was wrong. In fact, Jesus does not criticize hospitality or serving. He says Martha is anxious and troubled about many things. Her problem was her inner state, not her actions. Service done with peace is good. Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, which was the posture of a disciple learning from a teacher. Both women loved Jesus. Jesus simply pointed out what Martha's heart needed most.
Living This Out
This passage is not a recipe for Christians to stop serving. Think about a moment this week when you felt pulled in different directions. Maybe preparing a meal, finishing a work project, or volunteering at church. You wanted to do it well for the Lord, but somewhere inside you felt anxious and scattered. Jesus does not tell Martha to stop serving. He invites her to examine what is driving her. Mary chose to sit and listen. The good portion she chose was Jesus himself. This week, you might pause before you begin a task and simply be with Jesus first.
Main takeaway: Being with Jesus matters more than all our busy work for him, because he himself is the one thing we truly need.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus visited two sisters named Martha and Mary. Martha was very busy getting things ready, but Mary sat close to Jesus and listened. Jesus said Mary chose the best thing.
For ages 9, 12
Martha wanted everything to be perfect for Jesus, and she got upset that Mary wasn't helping. But Jesus gently told Martha that being with him was more important than all the preparations. It is good to serve Jesus, but you should never let your serving keep you from spending time with him. When you are busy, remember that Jesus wants you first, not just your work.
Questions People Ask
Why did Jesus call Martha's name twice: 'Martha, Martha'?
In the Bible, repeating someone's name often shows tenderness and deep feeling. Jesus does the same with Peter in Luke 22:31 and with Saul in Acts 9:4. It is not a harsh rebuke but a loving invitation to stop and listen.
Was Mary being lazy by not helping Martha serve?
No. In that culture, sitting at a teacher's feet was the position of a dedicated disciple. Mary was fully engaged in learning from Jesus. The passage clearly affirms her choice as the good portion.
What is the 'one thing' that is needed?
Scholars have understood it in different ways. Some think Jesus meant that a simple meal would be enough. Others see it as the one essential: hearing Christ's word and being with him. Most Christians agree the main point is that a relationship with Jesus matters more than any activity.
Does this mean I should stop doing good works and just pray all day?
Not at all. Jesus honored service elsewhere in his teaching and example. But he warns against letting service become anxious distraction. The goal is to serve from peace, not from pressure. Your good works can flourish when you stay rooted in Jesus.
Who were Mary and Martha in the Bible?
They were sisters living in Bethany with their brother Lazarus. John's Gospel tells us Jesus loved them deeply. Martha later makes a strong confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah (John 11:27), and Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume (John 12:3). Both women were devoted to the Lord.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study