Luke 10:40

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} Martha {G3136} was cumbered {G4049} about {G4012} much {G4183} serving {G1248}, and {G1161} came to him {G2186}, and said {G2036}, Lord {G2962}, dost {G3199} thou {G4671} not {G3756} care {G3199} that {G3754} my {G3450} sister {G79} hath left {G2641} me {G3165} to serve {G1247} alone {G3441}? bid {G2036} her {G846} therefore {G3767} that {G2443} she help {G4878} me {G3427}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Marta was busy with all the work to be done; so, going up to him, she said, “Sir, don’t you care that my sister has been leaving me to do all the work by myself?”

Berean Standard Bible

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”

American Standard Version

But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 10:40 vividly portrays Martha's struggle with the demands of hospitality while Jesus visits her home in Bethany. Overwhelmed by extensive preparations, Martha approaches Jesus, expressing frustration that her sister Mary has left her to serve alone, and directly appeals to Jesus to command Mary to assist her. This moment sets the stage for Jesus' profound teaching on the prioritization of spiritual nourishment and attentive devotion over even well-intentioned, but distracting, earthly service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This intimate domestic scene in [Luke 10:38-42](/luke/10-38-42 "Luke 10:38-42 - Martha and Mary") immediately follows the Parable of the Good Samaritan in [Luke 10:25-37](/luke/10-25-37 "Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan"), which emphasizes active, compassionate love for one's neighbor. The transition from the outward expression of love to the inward posture of discipleship is significant. While the Samaritan's actions highlight the importance of "doing," the Martha and Mary narrative shifts the focus to "being" and the foundational necessity of listening to Jesus' words. It's a concise but powerful narrative, contrasting two sisters' responses to Jesus' presence and setting up Jesus' teaching on the "good part" in [Luke 10:42](/luke/10-42 "Luke 10:42 - Mary Chooses the Good Part").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was a sacred duty and a profound expression of honor towards a guest, particularly a revered teacher like Jesus. Hosts were expected to provide generously, often involving elaborate meal preparations and extensive service. Martha's efforts to prepare a suitable welcome for Jesus were, therefore, culturally commendable and rooted in a desire to honor Him. Bethany, a village just outside Jerusalem, was a frequent stop for Jesus and His disciples, making the provision of food and lodging a significant undertaking for any host. Martha's "much serving" (Greek: _polla diakonia_) was not inherently wrong but rather a reflection of the cultural expectations placed upon a hostess.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 10:40 contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. The central tension is between **distraction and devotion**, highlighting how even good and necessary activities can become a spiritual hindrance if they overshadow the primary call to discipleship—which, for Jesus, begins with listening to His word. The verse also introduces the theme of the **burden of busyness** and anxiety, as Martha is described as "cumbered." This state of being overwhelmed leads to a critical spirit and a questioning of Jesus' care, demonstrating how external pressures can erode internal peace and relational harmony. Ultimately, the passage, culminating in Jesus' response, underscores the **priority of spiritual nourishment** and the "one thing needful" over the temporal demands of daily life, even those performed in service.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cumbered (Greek, _perispáō'_):** This verb, meaning "to drag all around" or "to distract (with care)," vividly describes Martha's state. It implies being pulled in multiple directions, overwhelmed by concerns and tasks, leading to a mental and emotional agitation. It's more than just being busy; it's being consumed and distracted to the point of losing focus on what truly matters.
* **serving (Greek, _diakonía'_):** While this word can refer to general attendance or ministry, in this context, it specifically denotes the practical, physical acts of hospitality and meal preparation. It's the root of our word "deacon" and signifies diligent service. Martha's "much serving" (G4183 _polýs_ + G1248 _diakonía_) indicates the extensive nature of her efforts, which, though well-intentioned, became a source of her distraction and complaint.
* **care (Greek, _mélō'_):** Used impersonally here ("dost thou not care"), this verb means "to be of interest to" or "to concern." Martha's question is a direct challenge to Jesus, implying a perceived lack of concern or empathy on His part regarding her burdensome situation. It reveals her frustration and perhaps a feeling of being unappreciated and abandoned in her efforts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Martha was cumbered about much serving":** This opening clause immediately establishes Martha's internal state. The conjunction "But" (G1161 _dé_) sets up a contrast with Mary's quiet attentiveness described in the preceding verse. Martha is not merely busy; she is "cumbered" (_perispáō_), indicating a state of being overwhelmed, distracted, and pulled in many directions by the extensive demands of hospitality. Her focus is on the quantity ("much") of her service, which has become a burden rather than a joyful act.
* **"and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care":** Martha's frustration escalates to the point where she directly confronts Jesus. Her approach is not a humble request for help but an accusatory question, challenging Jesus' perceived indifference ("dost thou not care," G3199 _mélō_ + G3756 _ou_). This reveals her anxiety and perhaps a sense of injustice, as she feels unacknowledged in her strenuous efforts.
* **"that my sister hath left me to serve alone?":** Martha explicitly states her grievance against Mary. She feels abandoned ("hath left," G2641 _kataleípō_) to bear the entire burden of service by herself ("alone," G3441 _mónos_). This highlights her perception that Mary's choice to sit and listen is a dereliction of duty, leaving Martha to shoulder the full responsibility.
* **"bid her therefore that she help me.":** Martha concludes her complaint with a direct command to Jesus, demanding His intervention. She wants Jesus to rectify the situation by ordering Mary to assist her ("bid her therefore that she help me," G2036 _épō_ + G4878 _synantilambánomai_). This demonstrates her belief that her way of serving is the correct and necessary one, and that Jesus should enforce it.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Luke 10:40 employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is paramount, setting Martha's frantic activity against Mary's quiet devotion, which is further elaborated in the subsequent verses. This contrast highlights two distinct approaches to honoring Jesus. There is also a subtle **irony** at play: Martha's service, intended for Jesus, paradoxically becomes a barrier to her own communion with Him and a source of her anxiety. Her direct question, "dost thou not care?", is a form of **rhetorical question**, designed not to elicit information but to express her strong emotion and implicit accusation. The entire interaction is framed as a **dialogue**, allowing Martha's character and concerns to be revealed through her own words and direct address to Jesus, making the scene highly relatable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 10:40 serves as a crucial theological pivot, redirecting our understanding of true devotion from outward activity to inward posture. It does not condemn service itself but rather exposes the danger of allowing even good works to displace the "one thing needful"—attentive communion with Christ. Martha's anxiety and complaint reveal how busyness, when untethered from spiritual grounding, can lead to resentment, a critical spirit, and a questioning of God's care. The passage challenges believers to examine their priorities, recognizing that genuine service flows from a heart nourished by the Word of God, not from a place of distraction or self-reliance. It underscores that our relationship with Jesus takes precedence over all other demands, no matter how seemingly urgent or righteous.

* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious")
* [Psalm 27:4](/psalms/27-4 "Psalm 27:4 - One Thing I Ask of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 10:40 offers a timeless mirror for modern believers, who often find themselves "cumbered about much serving" in a world that valorizes busyness and productivity. Martha's experience reminds us that even when our intentions are good—to serve God, family, or community—the sheer volume of tasks can lead to distraction, anxiety, and a critical spirit. This verse challenges us to pause and evaluate our own priorities: Are we so consumed by "doing" for God that we neglect "being" with God? True service and effective ministry flow from a deep well of spiritual nourishment, cultivated through intentional time at Jesus' feet, listening to His Word. The passage encourages us to guard against the "tyranny of the urgent" and to consciously choose the "good part" that cannot be taken away—a life centered on Christ's presence and His teaching, allowing our service to be an overflow of our devotion, rather than a source of our stress.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to be "cumbered about much serving," and what are the signs of this distraction?**
* **How does my busyness impact my relationship with God and with others?**
* **What does it practically look like for me to "sit at Jesus' feet" in my daily life, and how can I prioritize this "good part"?**
* **When I feel overwhelmed, do I, like Martha, tend to complain or question God's care, rather than seeking His presence and peace?**

### FAQ
**Was Martha wrong for serving, or was her service inherently bad?**

Answer: Martha's service was not inherently wrong or bad. In fact, hospitality was a highly valued virtue in ancient Jewish culture, and her desire to honor Jesus by preparing a meal was commendable. The issue was not the service itself, but Martha's internal state and her prioritization. She became "cumbered" or distracted by the "much serving," allowing the tasks to overwhelm her and pull her away from the more important opportunity of listening to Jesus. Jesus' gentle rebuke was not a condemnation of work, but a reordering of priorities, emphasizing that devotion to Him and His Word takes precedence over even good and necessary activities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 10:40, while a seemingly simple domestic scene, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of what it means to prioritize God's presence and word. Martha's anxious "serving" contrasts sharply with Mary's choice to sit at Jesus' feet, foreshadowing the New Covenant emphasis on relationship over ritual, and grace over works. Jesus Himself, the very Word of God incarnate, is the "one thing needful" that Mary chose. He is the ultimate host who invites us not merely to serve Him, but to feast on His presence and teaching, as He declares in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger." Furthermore, Jesus consistently modeled the balance between active ministry and withdrawing for communion with the Father ([Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Luke 5:16 - Jesus Often Withdrew to Pray")). His life demonstrates that true, fruitful service flows from a deep well of intimacy with God, not from frantic, self-reliant effort. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, so that we might be freed from the burden of striving and instead choose the "good part"—eternal life and communion with Him, which will never be taken away ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Jesus Gives Eternal Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 6:27

Labour 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 12:29

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Matthew 16:22

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Matthew 14:15

And 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.

Jonah 4:1

¶ But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

Jonah 4:4

Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?

Luke 9:55

But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.