Luke 10:40 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Martha, pulled in every direction by the demands of serving, asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her.
What Does Luke 10:40 Mean?
The dinner has grown larger than the joy that planned it. Martha is cumbered — dragged about — by much serving, and the strain breaks out in two directions at once: Lord, dost thou not care, and a demand aimed at her sister. The guest of honour is asked to referee.
Service begun for Jesus can quietly become service instead of Jesus; the work swells until the worker cannot sit down, and resentment fills the chair where fellowship was. The labour of Martha is love — that is what makes the moment tender rather than shameful. And the Lord she serves is about to care for her better than she asked.
Luke 10:40 in the Original Language
perispaomai (περισπάομαι), 'cumbered' -- to be pulled about in every direction, distracted by many tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 10:40
What does Luke 10:40 mean?
Martha, pulled in every direction by the demands of serving, asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her.