Devine Scripture

Luke 10:38

What does Luke 10:38 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 10:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 10:38 means

As Jesus and his company travel, he enters a village where a woman named Martha welcomes him into her home. Martha’s reception shows hospitality and attentiveness to Jesus as a guest. Her action is culturally appropriate and commendable: hosting a teacher required service and organization. The verse sets the stage for a domestic scene that will contrast external service with interior listening, introducing two sisters whose responses to Jesus reveal different priorities in discipleship.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now, while they were on their way, he came to a certain town; and a woman named Martha took him into her house.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it came to pass, in their going on, that he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman, by name Martha, did receive him into her house,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass as they went that he entered into a certain village; and a certain woman, Martha by name, received him into her house.

Context

This verse follows the public teaching sequence and brings the narrative into an intimate household setting. Having taught about neighborly love, Jesus now encounters personal hospitality. The scene will highlight tensions between service and devotion, leading to the famous interchange between Martha and Mary and Jesus’ corrective teaching about priorities.

v.37And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

v.38This passage

v.39And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet, and heard his word.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 John 1:10

    If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting:

  • John 11:19

    and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.

  • John 11:1

    Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

  • John 12:1

    Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.

  • Acts 16:15

    And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

  • Luke 8:2

    and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

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