Luke Chapter 10 · Verse 42
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Original Language Analysis
χρεία·
needful
G5532
χρεία·
needful
Strong's:
G5532
Word #:
4 of 15
employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
Μαριά
Mary
G3137
Μαριά
Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
5 of 15
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μερίδα
part
G3310
μερίδα
part
Strong's:
G3310
Word #:
9 of 15
a portion, i.e., province, share or (abstractly) participation
Cross References
Psalms 27:4One thing 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 enquire in his temple.John 4:14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.Psalms 73:25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.Luke 18:22Now 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.Psalms 17:15As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.John 17:3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.Psalms 142:5I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.Mark 8:36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?Deuteronomy 30:19I 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:
Historical Context
First-century culture assigned domestic responsibilities to women, making Martha's service culturally appropriate and Mary's sitting at Jesus' feet (a posture of discipleship, Acts 22:3) culturally shocking. Rabbis rarely taught women formally. Jesus' affirmation of Mary's choice validated women's capacity for theological learning and spiritual growth, challenging patriarchal limitations. The contrast between Martha's 'distraction' (περιεσπᾶτο, pulled away) and Mary's focus illustrates competing priorities in discipleship—activism versus contemplation, doing versus being.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' affirmation of Mary challenge the tendency to value activity over attentiveness in spiritual life?
- What forms of 'much serving' might distract contemporary Christians from the 'one thing needful'?
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus corrects Martha: 'But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her' (ἑνὸς δέ ἐστιν χρεία· Μαρία γὰρ τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα ἐξελέξατο, ἥτις οὐκ ἀφαιρεθήσεται ἀπ᾽ αὐτῆς). The phrase 'one thing is needful' (ἑνὸς ἐστιν χρεία) emphasizes singular priority—hearing Jesus' word. Mary 'chose' (ἐξελέξατο, aorist middle, deliberately selected) 'the good portion' (τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα), echoing Psalm 16:5: 'The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance.' The passive verb 'aphairethēsetai' (ἀφαιρεθήσεται, shall not be taken away) promises permanence—spiritual treasures gained through communion with Christ are eternal, unlike temporal service.