Movatterモバイル変換

Martha and Mary
…41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things.42Butonlyonethingisnecessary.Maryhas chosenthegoodportion,and itwill not be taken away fromher.”

Treasury of Scripture

But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

one.

Luke 18:22
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Psalm 27:4
Onething have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heavenbut thee? andthere is none upon earththat I desire beside thee.

chosen.

Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Joshua 24:15,22
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served thatwere on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD…

Psalm 17:15
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

good.

Psalm 16:5,6
The LORDis the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot…

Psalm 142:5
I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thouart my refugeand my portion in the land of the living.

which.

Luke 8:18
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Luke 12:20,33
But God said unto him,Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? …

Luke 16:2,25
And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward…

BetterChooseChosenDeprivedGoodLittleMaryNecessaryNeedNeededNeedfulPartPortionReallyBetterChooseChosenDeprivedGoodLittleMaryNecessaryNeedNeededNeedfulPartPortionReally1.Jesus sends out at once seventy disciples to work miracles, and to preach;
13.pronounces a woe against certain cities.
17.The seventy return with joy;
18.he shows them wherein to rejoice,
21.and thanks his Father for his grace;
23.magnifies the happy estate of his church;
25.teaches the lawyer how to attain eternal life,
30.and tells the parable of the good Samaritan;
38.reprimands Martha, and commends Mary her sister.

But only one thing is necessary.
This phrase emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual matters over worldly concerns. In the context of the story, Jesus is speaking to Martha, who is distracted by her many tasks. The "one thing" refers to the necessity of focusing on Jesus and His teachings. This echoesPsalm 27:4, where David expresses a desire to dwell in the house of the Lord and seek Him. The cultural context of the time placed a high value on hospitality, but Jesus redirects the focus to spiritual nourishment.

Mary has chosen the good portion,
Mary's choice to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His words is described as the "good portion." This phrase can be connected to the Old Testament, where the "portion" often refers to one's inheritance or share, as seen inPsalm 16:5. In choosing to listen to Jesus, Mary is selecting an eternal inheritance over temporary concerns. This choice reflects the wisdom found inProverbs 8:10-11, where wisdom is valued above silver and gold.

and it will not be taken away from her.”
This assurance from Jesus highlights the permanence of spiritual blessings. Unlike material possessions, which can be lost or taken away, the spiritual insight and relationship with Christ that Mary gains are eternal. This promise aligns with the teachings inJohn 10:28, where Jesus speaks of giving eternal life to His followers, and no one can snatch them away. It underscores the security and lasting nature of choosing to follow Christ and His teachings.

1.Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching in the home of Martha and Mary. His presence and words are the focal point of the account.

2.Mary
Sister of Martha, she is depicted as sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to His teaching. Her choice to prioritize spiritual learning over household duties is commended by Jesus.

3.Martha
Sister of Mary, she is busy with the preparations and serving, and she becomes frustrated with Mary for not helping her. Martha's concern for hospitality is contrasted with Mary's focus on Jesus' words.

4.Bethany
The village where Martha and Mary live, and where this event takes place. It is located near Jerusalem and is a place where Jesus often visited.

5.The Event
The account describes a visit by Jesus to the home of Martha and Mary, highlighting the tension between worldly concerns and spiritual devotion.Prioritizing Spiritual Growth
Mary chose "the good part," which was to focus on Jesus' teachings. In our lives, we should prioritize spiritual growth and time with God over worldly distractions.

Balancing Service and Devotion
While service is important, it should not overshadow our devotion to Christ. Like Martha, we can become distracted by our duties and miss the opportunity for spiritual nourishment.

Finding Peace in Christ
Jesus' response to Martha highlights the peace that comes from focusing on Him. In a world full of distractions, finding peace in Christ is essential.

The Importance of Listening
Mary's example teaches us the importance of listening to Jesus. In our daily lives, we should make time to listen to God's Word and apply it.

Choosing the Eternal
Jesus commends Mary for choosing what is eternal. We are reminded to focus on eternal values rather than temporary concerns.1.What is the meaning of Luke 10:42?

2.How can we prioritize "the one thing" in our daily lives today?

3.What does "Mary has chosen what is better" teach about spiritual priorities?

4.How does Luke 10:42 connect with Matthew 6:33 on seeking God's kingdom?

5.In what ways can we avoid distractions like Martha in our faith journey?

6.How can we ensure our choices lead to eternal benefits as in Luke 10:42?

7.What does "only one thing is necessary" in Luke 10:42 mean for Christian priorities?

8.How does Luke 10:42 challenge the balance between spiritual devotion and daily responsibilities?

9.Why is Mary’s choice in Luke 10:42 considered better than Martha’s actions?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 10?

11.Are you prioritizing God's presence over constant busyness?

12.How did Jesus interact with women?

13.What does the Bible say about Christian introverts?

14.How did Jesus interact with women?But only one thing is necessary

• Jesus gently redirects Martha’s focus from many tasks to a single overriding priority—relationship with Him (Luke 10:41–42).

• Scripture consistently highlights this “one thing”:

– David longed to “dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life” (Psalm 27:4).

– Jesus counseled, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

– Paul counted everything else as loss “because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8).

• Practical takeaway: daily work matters, but communion with Christ anchors and orders everything else.

---

Mary has chosen the good portion

• Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word (Luke 10:39). In choosing attentive fellowship over frantic service, she selected the “good portion,” echoingPsalm 16:5—“The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup.”

• This “portion” is good because it:

– Satisfies the soul now (Psalm 34:8;John 6:35).

– Equips believers to serve out of overflow rather than anxiety (John 15:5;Luke 8:15).

• Unlike material portions that fade, this spiritual share grows richer with time (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

---

and it will not be taken away from her

• Jesus affirms that what Mary gains—truth, assurance, eternal life—cannot be lost or revoked.

– “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).

– “Nothing…will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:38–39).

• Earthly responsibilities come and go; spiritual treasure is secure (1 Peter 1:4;Hebrews 10:34).

• Encouragement: investing time with Jesus is never wasted, never futile, and never forgotten by Him (Hebrews 6:10).

---

summary

Luke 10:42 calls believers to place intimate fellowship with Christ above every competing demand. Mary’s example teaches that listening to Jesus is the necessary, good, and enduring choice—the one investment guaranteed to last forever.

(42)But one thing is needful.--Some of the better MSS. present a singular various-reading,There is need of few things, or of one only. It is obvious that this might be taken either literally or spiritually. They might mean (1) that He who spoke, and the others who were coming, needed not the many things about which Martha was troubled, but a few only, or even but a single dish, to supply their wants; or (2) that the true life of men needed but a few things, such as faith, obedience, the fear of God, or even but one only, the devout and intent love which Mary was then showing. The latter interpretation is clearly most in harmony with our Lord's usual teaching, though the former has something like a parallel in the teaching ofLuke 10:7 of this very chapter. It is not improbable that our Lord designedly used words which had an outer and an inner meaning, the latter intended chiefly for those who "had ears to hear." There is a singular coincidence between the words here spoken to Martha and those addressed to the young ruler ("one thing thou lackest"), whom we have seen reason to identify with her brother. (See Note onMatthew 19:16.) The omission of "few things" in the received text, may have originated in the wish to give an exclusive prominence to the higher meaning.

Mary hath chosen that good part.--The Greek noun is very nearly the same as that which the younger son, inLuke 15:12, uses for "the portion of goods," the good part or portion here being nothing less than the eternal life which is the gift of God. Here too we may trace something approaching to a half-playful mingling of the higher and lower meanings of the word which was used in the Greek version of the Old Testament at once for Benjamin's mess,i.e., portion of food (Genesis 43:34), and for God as the "portion" of His people (Psalm 73:26). Even on the assumption that our Lord spoke in Aramaic, and not in Greek, a like play upon the word would have been equally possible. . . .

Verse 42. -But one thing is needful. Jesus had been saying to this kindly but over-fussy friend, "Are you not too anxious about these household cares of yours?" and then he adds, "See, only onething is really needful." Now, what is the exact meaning of these last words? Some expositors have taken the expression to mean "a single dish is sufficient" for my entertainment; so much careful, anxious thought is thrown away. A curious variation in the reading occurs here in some, though not in all the oldest, authorities. It seems as though some of the early copyists of the text of the Gospel were wishful to make the words, which they possibly understood as a lesson of the Master's onsimplicity offood, clearer and more emphatic. This other reading is, "There is need of few things, or of one only." In other words, "Few things are enough for me and my friends to sit down to, or even one dish only." The teaching contained in ver. 7 gives a little colour to this quaint interpretation of the Master's words here, which sees in them a general warning against taking thought for the pleasures of the table. But, on the whole, the old reading contained in the received text is preferable, and the old interpretation, too, viz. that the true life of man needs but one thing, or, if the other reading be adopted, needs but few things. If we must specify theone, we would call it" love," or "charity." So John, we know, in his old days, summed up all man's duties in this "love." If, on the other hand, we are asked to name thefew, then we would add to love,faith andhope. The parable of the "good Samaritan," that practical lesson of the love or charity the Master was alluding to, had just been spoken; it was Still, we may reverently assume, fresh in the Divine Teacher's mind.And Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. And Mary, his dear Bethany friend, had madeher happy choice of theone thing, that love or charity which never fails; or, perchance, had made her choice of thefew things needful (if we prefer the longer reading of those old manuscripts we have spoken of) - the few things would then mean that faith, hope, and charity which abide bothnow and in the ages of ages yet to come!

Parallel Commentaries ...

But
δέ(de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.

only
ἢ(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228:Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

one
ἑνός(henos)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520:One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

thing
ὀλίγων(oligōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3641:Puny; especially neuter somewhat.

is
ἐστιν(estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

necessary.
χρεία(chreia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532:From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.

Mary
Μαριὰμ(Mariam)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3137:Or Mariam of Hebrew origin; Maria or Mariam, the name of six Christian females.

has chosen
ἐξελέξατο(exelexato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1586:To pick out for myself, choose, elect, select. Middle voice from ek and lego; to select.

the
τὴν(tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

good
ἀγαθὴν(agathēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 18:A primary word; 'good'.

portion,
μερίδα(merida)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3310:Feminine of meros; a portion, i.e. Province, share or participation.

[and it]
ἥτις(hētis)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3748:Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

will not be taken away from
ἀφαιρεθήσεται(aphairethēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 851:To take away, smite off. From apo and haireomai; to remove.

her.”
αὐτῆς(autēs)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


Luke 10:42 NIV
Luke 10:42 NLT
Luke 10:42 ESV
Luke 10:42 NASB
Luke 10:42 KJV

Luke 10:42 BibleApps.com
Luke 10:42 Biblia Paralela
Luke 10:42 Chinese Bible
Luke 10:42 French Bible
Luke 10:42 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Luke 10:42 But one thing is needed (Luke Lu Lk)