Luke 10:40
But 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.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περιεσπᾶτο
was cumbered
G4049
περιεσπᾶτο
was cumbered
Strong's:
G4049
Word #:
4 of 28
to drag all around, i.e., (figuratively) to distract (with care)
περὶ
about
G4012
περὶ
about
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
5 of 28
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
πολλὴν
much
G4183
πολλὴν
much
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
6 of 28
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
διακονίαν·
serving
G1248
διακονίαν·
serving
Strong's:
G1248
Word #:
7 of 28
attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the christian teacher, or technically of the diaco
ἐπιστᾶσα
came to him
G2186
ἐπιστᾶσα
came to him
Strong's:
G2186
Word #:
8 of 28
to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
11 of 28
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
μέλει
care
G3199
μέλει
care
Strong's:
G3199
Word #:
13 of 28
to be of interest to, i.e., to concern (only third person singular present indicative used impersonally, it matters)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
15 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατέλιπεν
hath left
G2641
κατέλιπεν
hath left
Strong's:
G2641
Word #:
21 of 28
to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining
διακονεῖν
to serve
G1247
διακονεῖν
to serve
Strong's:
G1247
Word #:
22 of 28
to be an attendant, i.e., wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively) teacher); technically, to act as a christian deacon
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
24 of 28
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
αὐτῇ
her
G846
αὐτῇ
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 28
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
Cross References
John 6:27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.Luke 12:29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.Matthew 14:15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.Matthew 16:22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Historical Context
First-century hospitality required extensive preparation, especially when hosting a rabbi and disciples. Meals were communal, lengthy affairs requiring significant food preparation, water for washing, proper seating arrangements. Martha's burden was real—hosting thirteen-plus men would require hours of labor. Cultural expectations placed this responsibility squarely on women of the household. Martha's frustration is understandable from a cultural perspective, making Jesus' response even more striking—He prioritizes Mary's spiritual formation over cultural hospitality norms.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Martha's distraction reveal the danger of allowing good activities to crowd out the best priority—intimacy with Jesus?
- What does Jesus' gentle correction teach about distinguishing between faithful service flowing from worship and anxious activity substituting for relationship?
- In what areas of your life might you be serving with Martha's anxiety rather than Mary's restful devotion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But 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. The verb periespāto (περιεσπᾶτο, "was cumbered") literally means "to be dragged around" or "distracted"—Martha is pulled in multiple directions, fragmented by many tasks. The phrase much serving (pollēn diakonian, πολλὴν διακονίαν) describes legitimate ministry—diakonia (διακονία) is honorable Christian service—but here it becomes burden rather than blessing.
Martha's complaint reveals her heart: dost thou not care (ou melei soi, οὐ μέλει σοι) questions Jesus' concern and compassion. She feels unseen, unappreciated, abandoned—emotions common to those serving without rest or refreshment from God's presence. Her demand bid her therefore that she help me (eipe oun autē hina moi synantilabētai, εἰπὲ οὖν αὐτῇ ἵνα μοι συναντιλάβηται) attempts to enlist Jesus as enforcer of her agenda, commanding Mary back to kitchen duty.
Jesus' response (vv. 41-42) is tender but corrective: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part." Martha's problem isn't service itself but anxious, distracted service that crowds out communion with Christ. Ministry flows from intimacy; when reversed, it produces anxiety, resentment, and spiritual exhaustion. The danger for activists and servants is substituting work for God for relationship with God. Jesus didn't need elaborate meals—He needed Martha's heart. Mary understood priority: worship first, service flows from worship.