38
As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
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NEW TESTAMENT
All chapters Luke 10:38–42
The Holy Bible · EnglishOpen an explanation beneath verses with notes. Your notes and highlights stay on this device.
39
She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
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40
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 40. Calvin here ridicules the professors of evangelical poverty, because they gather from this place that there are two states of life, that is the active and the contemplative, figured by Martha and Mary. But what will he answer, when he is informed, that this is the opinion not merely of monks, but even of a Saint Augustine, (Serm. xxvii, De verbis Domini,) of a S. Jerom, (Com. 3 cap. of Jeremiah,) of a Saint Gregory and many others? Not that they were ignorant that there was another more natural explanation; but they were of opinion that nothing could be found more proper for the illustration of these different states of life. Maldonatus.
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41
Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
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42
but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
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ExplanationCommentary
Verse 42. One thing is necessary. Some think that Christ’s meaning was, that Martha was preparing many dishes, when one was sufficient. But others, that this one thing necessary, was to learn, and comply with the will of God; which Mary was employed about. Witham.
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