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    Who Was Martha in the Bible?

    Who Was Martha in the Bible? Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus, known for her hospitality and her encounter with Jesus about choosing the 'good part.'

    Key verse: Luke 10:41-42 (KJV)

    Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus, known for her hospitality and her encounter with Jesus about choosing the 'good part.'

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    Quick Answer

    Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus, known for her hospitality and her encounter with Jesus about choosing the 'good part.'

    "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." — Luke 10:41-42 (KJV)

    The Biblical Answer

    Martha lived in Bethany with her sister Mary and brother Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. She first appears in Luke 10, when Jesus visited her home. While Martha was 'cumbered about much serving,' her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet, listening to His word. Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but Jesus responded with gentle correction: 'Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.' Later, when Lazarus fell ill, Martha's faith shone brightly: 'I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.' She declared, 'Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.' Martha's story reminds us that service must flow from devotion, and that Jesus values the heart that seeks Him above all else.

    Key Scripture References

    "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
    "She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."
    "There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him."

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    Deep Dive Commentary

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    Read it in context

    The answer above sits inside Luke. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.

    Read Luke on day 294 of the chronological Bible reading plan

    Keep the verses to hand

    Every verse quoted in “Who Was Martha in the Bible?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Martha lived in Bethany with her sister Mary and brother Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. She first appears in Luke 10, when Jesus visited her home. While Martha was 'cumbered about much serving,' her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet, listening to His word. Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but Jesus responded with gentle correction: 'Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.' Later, when Lazarus fell ill, Martha's faith shone brightly: 'I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.' She declared, 'Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.' Martha's story reminds us that service must flow from devotion, and that Jesus values the heart that seeks Him above all else.

    Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus who anointed Jesus with expensive ointment and sat at His feet as His devoted disciple.

    Lazarus of Bethany was a close friend of Jesus whom Christ raised from the dead after four days in the tomb — one of Jesus' greatest miracles.