Luke 10:38-42
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- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
- "Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?" (sermon on Mark 10:17-31), Clement of Alexandria (c. 200)
- Chapter 10, On Cleaving to God, Albertus Magnus, c. 1275.
- "Sanctification," Luke 10:42, Meister Eckhart.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- "Christ does not desire to be waited upon in a delicate manner, but to be heard diligently; this is that which he especially requires."
- From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary (c. 1700).
- "Sitting at Christ's feet, signifies readiness to receive his word, and submission to the guidance of it."
- The Care of the Soul Urged as the One Thing Needful (Luke 10:42): sermon by George Whitefield.
- From
Wesley's
Notes.
John Wesley
(1703-1791).
- "Martha was encumbered - The Greek word properly signifies to be drawn different ways at the same time, and admirably expresses the situation of a mind, surrounded (as Martha's then was) with so many objects of care, that it hardly knows which to attend to first."
- From the
Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- "Martha's choice would be taken from her, for her services would die with her; Mary's never, being spiritual and eternal. Both were true-hearted disciples, but the one was absorbed in the higher, the other in the lower of two ways of honoring their common Lord."
- "The One Thing Needful," Luke 10:42, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1871.
- From The
People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- "Jesus cared nothing for bodily indulgence. The important thing was the bread of life."
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- "Being Whole-Hearted," Glenn Monson, Law & Gospel Everywhere, 2019.
- Commentary,
Luke 10:38-42, Mikeal C. Parsons, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
- "...Christ gently reminds Martha (and Luke's audience), that Mary's is "the better part," because actions -- even acts of Christian charity and hospitality -- if they are to be sustained, always follow being; that is, what we do flows naturally from who we are."
- "No Comparison," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2016.
- "This is not a story about comparison but completion. Not about who is better, but when is better. Not about what is better, but why it is better."
- "Martha's Anxiety: Struggling alone against many things," D. Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2016.
- "The problem is when the distraction of the many take away the ability to capture the one, the good part."
- A Provocation of the Gospel, Richard Swanson, 2016.
- "Don't miss this: it was MARTHA'S house."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2016.
- Lectionary Greek, Rob Myallis, 2016.
- "Mary and Martha in our Midst," Jim Dahlin, Modern Metanoia, 2016.
- "Sitting in the Presence of the Holy: Mary and Martha," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2016.
- "In my reflection here I have offered the example of a Muslim leader as a parallel to Mary. Does that 'preach?' Why or why not?"
- Commentary, Luke 10:38-42 | Mark Walker | Pastor, Woodview Church of the Nazarene | A Plain Account, 2016
- "In the story of the Good Samaritan we see that disciples are called to 'go and do.' In the story of Martha and Mary we see that disciples are called to 'sit and listen."
- "The Bread of Anxiety," Suzanne Guthrie, At the Edge of the Enclosure, 2016.
- Pulpit Fiction, with podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2016.
- Commentary,
Luke 10:38-42, Elisabeth Johnson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
- "We do know that Jesus invites all of us who are worried and distracted by many things to sit and rest in his presence, to hear his words of grace and truth, to know that we are loved and valued as children of God, to be renewed in faith and strengthened for service."
- Dear Working Preacher, David Lose.
- Edgy Exegesis, Alyce M. McKenzie, 2013.
- A Different Heresy, Peter Lockhart, 2013, .
- The Bite in the Apple, Nancy, Rockwell, 2013.
- Rick Morley, 2013.
- The Lectionary Lab,the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2013. Lectionary Lab Live podcast.
- Pulpit Fiction, podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2013.
- Dancing with the Word, Janet H. Hunt, will be published early in the week.
- The Hardest Question, 2013.
- Pulpit Fiction, podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2013.
- Commentary,
Luke 10:38-42 (Pentecost +8), Marilyn Salmon, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
- "This brief encounter within the gospel narrative purposely disrupts expectations and disturbs our sense of propriety. I hope to hear a sermon that resists the temptation to justify Jesus and allows Jesus the guest to offend my sensibilities."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
-
"First
Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary,"
Pentecost 9,
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
- "Whoever it might be, whatever the gender, Luke assumes that the most important response of the host is to receive Jesus? word."
-
Exegetical Notes
by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
- "I have thought of relating Mary's actions with sabbath rest -- a time to stop doing -- and as Luther defines it: 'We do not neglect God's Word and the preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.'"
- Jesus Visits Martha and Mary, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2010.
-
Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement,
2010.
- "In her revolutionary action of ditching her expected gender role of "helping in the kitchen" and instead sitting and listening to Jesus, Mary has shown pluck and courage, and Jesus--the Lord!--backs her up."
-
"Clearing Away the Psychic Clutter: Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42," Alyce McKenzie, sermon series on
Lukan texts, Patheos, 2010.
- "This text isn?t about siding with Martha or Mary; it?s about living into the kingdom of God that is already but not yet through the integration of prayer/study and service."
-
Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours,
Luke 10:38-42, David Ewart, 2010.
- "If we really do desire that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven, then we need to ask, 'Who is doing the chores in heaven?' And if the answer is, 'No one,' then the second best answer for here on earth would be, 'Everyone.'"
-
"I'm
Telling Jesus on You!" Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question,
2010.
- "Living our lives in competition with, in opposition to, in judgment of, institutions and individuals, keeps us worried and out of earshot of the words which lead to the fullness of the life of the Kingdom of God. Jesus calls us out of these rivalistic relationships and into the Kingdom."
-
"The Martha-Mary
Double Bind," Jane Carol Redmont, The Witness.
- "We have Mary the contemplative and Martha the busybody do-gooder. We have Mary in more recent decades reinterpreted as the model for women in theological education ? and we have an English group once opposed to the emancipation of women named the Martha Movement."
- "The Mystic and the Church," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Mysticism," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005.
- Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
-
Dylan's Lectionary Blog,
Proper 11C. Biblical Scholar
Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary
of the Episcopal Church.
- "The message, I think, is that we all may be and often are called to relinquish roles, identities, patterns of behavior that feel 'tried and true' or even immutable not only for the sake of growing in our own discipleship, but to invite others -- even or especially others who may seem perfectly happy with a privileged role they've got -- to become more fully who they are in Christ, and to live more fully into the ministry to which Christ calls them."
-
"Interpretations of Luke 10:38-42," Clara Beth Speel Van de Water,
Festschrift in Honor of Charles Speel, Monmouth College, 1997.
- "I dare say that it was controversial, at the very least, when women attached themselves to teachers as disciples, and that many rabbis would not have accepted Mary as Jesus did, even teaching her in her home."
- Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Luke 10:38-42, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
-
"What Is Waste of Time?"
Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from Sundays Into
Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian
Meditation. Claretian Publications.
- "For some, prayer is a non-productive waste of time which can easily be done without. For others it is an effort to promote efficiency by getting God on our side...Christian meditation is just being still in the presence of the Lord."
- Wellspring of the Gospel, Ordinary 16, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
-
"Jesus Visits Martha and Mary," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible
Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
- "Try to list the different techniques used today to grow congregations, and consider how these divert members from the priority of the Word."
- "Martha," "Mary, Sister of Lazarus," wikipedia.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes
direct links).
- Anderson, Mary W., "Hospitality
Theology," The Christian Century, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Baker, Aelred, "One Thing Necessary,"
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1965.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Carter, Warren, "Getting Martha out of
the Kitchen: Luke 10:38-42 Again," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly,
1996.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Chung, Sook Ja, "Bible Study: Women's
Ways of Doing Mission in the Story of Mary and Martha," International
Review of Mission, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Fiorenza, Elisabeth Schüssler, "A Feminist Critical
Interpretation for Liberation: Martha and Mary: Lk. 10:38-42," Religion
and Intellectual Life, 1986.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Frey, Stephanie, "Living with Martha," The
Christian Century, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hearon, Holly E.,
"Between Text and Sermon: Luke 10:38-42," Interpretation, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Heffner, Blake R., "Meister Eckhart and a Millennium with
Mary and Martha," Lutheran Quarterly, 1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Howell, Maxine, "Towards a Womanist Pneumatological
Pedagogy: Reading and Re-reading the Bible from British Black Women's
Perspectives," Black Theology, 2009.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hutson, Christopher Roy, "Martha's Choice: A
Pastorally Sensitive Reading of Luke 10:38-42," Restoration Quarterly,
2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Jones, L. Gregory, "The Virtues of
Hospitality," The Christian Century, 1992.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Karris, Robert J., "Luke's Soteriology of With-ness,"
Currents in Theology and Mission, 1985.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Phillips, Gary A., "'What Is Written? How Are You
Reading?' Gospel, Intertextuality and Doing Lukewise: Reading Lk 10:25-42
Otherwise," Semeia, 1995.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Smith, Mitzi J., "A Tale of Two Sisters: Am I My Sister's
Keeper?" Journal of Religious Thought, 1996.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Strome, Joy Douglas, "Kitchen Relief," The
Christian Century, 2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Wall, Robert W., "Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) in the
Context of a Christian Deuteronomy," Journal for the Study of the New
Testament, 1989.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Anderson, Mary W., "Hospitality
Theology," The Christian Century, 1998.
- Sermons:
- "Worried and Distracted," the Rev. Susie B. Smith, Day 1, 2010.
- "Mary and Martha," the Rev. Thomas G. Long, Day 1, 2007.
- "Mary and Martha or Martha and Mary," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
- "Serving or Sitting?" 18 July 2004, Luke Bouman, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
- "Only One Thing," the Rev. Dr. Ted Wardlaw, Day 1, 1997.
- Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Proper 11, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2016.
- Storypath, Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story, Union Presbyterian Seminary, 2016.
- "Mary, Martha and Lazarus," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "Martha, Martha," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
- "The Most Important Thing," children's sermon, coloring page. Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons 4 Kids.
- "A Special Dinner Guest," Linda Edwards, The Children's Chapel.
- "Jesus Visits Mary and Martha," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
- Drama:
- "Bethany's Pub," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
- "Late for My Funeral," Joanne Miller, dramatix.
- "M&M's Bed & Breakfast," Glenn A. Hascall, dramatix.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Clip Art, Luke 10:41, Luke 10:42, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
- Clip Art Images: Luke 10:25-37, Luke 10:25-37, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
- Luke 10:38-42 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
- Luke 10:38-42, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
- Hymns and Music:
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Luke 10:39, 42. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of Luke
- Find Worship Resources & Suggested Other Readings for use with this text:
