Luke 10:41

Martha, Martha The repeated name adds additional tenderness to the rebuke, as in Luke 22:31; Acts 9:4.

thou art careful and troubled about many things "I would have you without carefulness," 1 Corinthians 7:32; Matthew 6:25. The words literally mean, -Thou art anxious and bustling." Her inward solicitude was shewing itself in outward hastiness.

but one thing is needful The context should sufficiently have excluded the very bald, commonplace, and unspiritual meaning which has been attached to this verse, that only one dishwas requisite.Clearly the lesson conveyed is the same as in Matthew 6:33; Matthew 16:26, even if our Lord's firstreference was the lower one. The various readings -but there is need of few things," or -of few things or of one" (א, B, various versions, &c.) seem to have risen from the notion that even for the simplest meal more than one dish would be required. This, however, is not the case in the simple meals of the East.

that good part Rather, portion (as of a banquet, Genesis 43:34, LXX.; John 6:27) or inheritance, Psalms 73:26. ἥτις = quippe quae.The natureof the portion is such that, &c.

which shall not be taken away from her To speak of such theological questions as -indefectible grace" here, is to use the narrative otherwise than was intended. The general meaning is that of Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5. It has been usual with Roman Catholic and other writers to see in Martha the type of the active, and in Mary of the contemplative disposition, and to exalt one above the other. This is not the point of the narrative, for both may and ought to be combined as in St Paul and in St John. The gentle reproof to Martha is aimed notat her hospitable activity, but at the -fret and fuss," the absence of repose and calm, by which it was accompanied; and above all, at the tendency to reprobate and interfere with excellence of a different kind.