John 11:20
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὡς
as soon as
G5613
ὡς
as soon as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
4 of 17
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
6 of 17
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
8 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἔρχεται
was coming
G2064
ἔρχεται
was coming
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
9 of 17
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὑπήντησεν
went and met
G5221
ὑπήντησεν
went and met
Strong's:
G5221
Word #:
10 of 17
to go opposite (meet) under (quietly), i.e., to encounter, fall in with
αὐτῷ·
him
G846
αὐτῷ·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Μαρία
Mary
G3137
Μαρία
Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
12 of 17
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Women in first-century Judaism had limited public roles, making Martha's bold approach to Jesus remarkable. Her action demonstrates the freedom and dignity Jesus afforded women.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Martha and Mary's different responses teach about diverse expressions of faith?
- What does Martha's initiative teach about actively seeking Christ in crisis?
- In what ways does Jesus accept and value different temperaments in His followers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Martha's immediate response to Jesus' arrival demonstrates her active temperament, contrasting with Mary who 'sat still in the house.' Martha's action fulfills her character seen earlier (Luke 10:40). She goes to meet Jesus outside the village, perhaps for privacy or to intercept Him before the crowd. Her initiative demonstrates faith seeking Jesus, while Mary's stillness may indicate deeper grief or different temperament. Both responses are valid; Christ accepts diverse personalities.