Devine Scripture

Luke 10:39

What does Luke 10:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 10:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 10:39 means

Martha has a sister called Mary who sits at the Lord’s feet and listens to his word. Mary’s posture—sitting at Jesus’ feet—evokes the disciple’s learning posture in rabbinic culture. Her choice to prioritize hearing Jesus rather than focusing on household duties signals devotion and spiritual hunger. It models contemplative receptivity and indicates that learning from Jesus is not mere curiosity but central to discipleship. Mary’s example will be commended by Jesus as choosing the 'good part.'

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And she had a sister, by name Mary, who took her seat at the Lord's feet and gave attention to his words.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and she had also a sister, called Mary, who also, having seated herself beside the feet of Jesus, was hearing the word,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And she had a sister called Mary. who, sitting also at the Lord's feet, heard his word.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And she had a sister called Mary, who also, having sat down at the feet of Jesus was listening to his word.

Context

This verse contrasts Martha’s hospitality with Mary’s focused listening. It follows the introduction of the household and sets up a conflict: Martha’s busy serving against Mary’s calm devotion. The tension illustrates the chapter’s themes of mission and priorities, leading to Martha’s complaint and Jesus’ response about what is truly necessary.

v.38Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

v.39This passage

v.40But 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.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 8:35

    And they went out to see what had come to pass; and they came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the demons were gone out, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus: and they were afraid.

  • Acts 22:3

    I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:

  • Luke 2:46

    And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions:

  • John 12:3

    Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:32

    But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

  • Deuteronomy 33:3

    Yea, he loveth the people; All his saints are in thy hand: And they sat down at thy feet; Every oneshall receive of thy words.

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