Luke 10:42
But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her."
But only one thing is necessary
This phrase emphasizes the singular importance of spiritual focus and devotion to Christ. The Greek word for "necessary" (ἀναγκαῖος, anankaios) implies something that is essential or indispensable. In the context of this passage, Jesus is contrasting the many distractions of life with the singular necessity of prioritizing one's relationship with Him. Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), which calls for loving God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. The "one thing" is a call to undivided devotion, echoing the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as Psalm 27:4, where David expresses a desire to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life.

Mary has chosen the good portion
The phrase "the good portion" (ἡ ἀγαθὴ μερίδα, hē agathē merida) is rich with meaning. The word "portion" (μερίδα, merida) can refer to a share or part of something, often used in the Old Testament to describe the inheritance or blessing given by God (e.g., Psalm 16:5, "The LORD is my chosen portion"). By choosing to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teaching, Mary is depicted as selecting the best inheritance, one that is spiritual and eternal. This choice is contrasted with the temporal concerns of daily life, represented by Martha's busyness. The "good portion" signifies the eternal value of spiritual nourishment over worldly distractions, aligning with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:33 to seek first the kingdom of God.

and it will not be taken away from her
This assurance from Jesus underscores the permanence and security of spiritual blessings. The Greek verb for "taken away" (ἀφαιρεθήσεται, aphairethēsetai) suggests removal or deprivation. Jesus promises that the spiritual insight and relationship Mary gains from her time with Him are eternal and cannot be lost or stolen. This reflects the biblical theme of the eternal nature of God's gifts, as seen in Romans 11:29, where Paul writes that God's gifts and calling are irrevocable. The phrase also offers comfort and encouragement to believers, affirming that their spiritual investments are secure in Christ, echoing the assurance found in John 10:28, where Jesus declares that no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching in the home of Martha and Mary. His presence and words are the focal point of the account.

2. Mary
Sister of Martha, she is depicted as sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to His teaching. Her choice to prioritize spiritual learning over household duties is commended by Jesus.

3. Martha
Sister of Mary, she is busy with the preparations and serving, and she becomes frustrated with Mary for not helping her. Martha's concern for hospitality is contrasted with Mary's focus on Jesus' words.

4. Bethany
The village where Martha and Mary live, and where this event takes place. It is located near Jerusalem and is a place where Jesus often visited.

5. The Event
The account describes a visit by Jesus to the home of Martha and Mary, highlighting the tension between worldly concerns and spiritual devotion.
Teaching Points
Prioritizing Spiritual Growth
Mary chose "the good part," which was to focus on Jesus' teachings. In our lives, we should prioritize spiritual growth and time with God over worldly distractions.

Balancing Service and Devotion
While service is important, it should not overshadow our devotion to Christ. Like Martha, we can become distracted by our duties and miss the opportunity for spiritual nourishment.

Finding Peace in Christ
Jesus' response to Martha highlights the peace that comes from focusing on Him. In a world full of distractions, finding peace in Christ is essential.

The Importance of Listening
Mary's example teaches us the importance of listening to Jesus. In our daily lives, we should make time to listen to God's Word and apply it.

Choosing the Eternal
Jesus commends Mary for choosing what is eternal. We are reminded to focus on eternal values rather than temporary concerns.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we apply Mary's example of prioritizing Jesus' teachings in our daily lives?

2. In what ways do we, like Martha, become distracted by our responsibilities, and how can we refocus on Christ?

3. How does the peace that Jesus offers contrast with the anxiety that comes from being overly concerned with worldly matters?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are listening to God's Word regularly?

5. How can we balance our service to others with our personal devotion to Christ, ensuring neither is neglected?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 6:33
This verse emphasizes seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, which parallels Mary's choice to prioritize Jesus' teaching over worldly concerns.

Psalm 27:4
David's desire to dwell in the house of the Lord and seek Him is similar to Mary's choice to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His words.

Philippians 4:6-7
Encourages believers not to be anxious about anything, which relates to Martha's anxiety and distraction with many things.
The Good Samaritan, and the Good PartR.M. Edgar Luke 10:25-42
Activity and RestR. Collyer.Luke 10:38-42
And Mary Hath Chosen that Good PartJ. Horton.Luke 10:38-42
But One Thing is Necessary, or NeedfulJ. Horton.Luke 10:38-42
Christ At BethanyW. Clarkson Luke 10:38-42
Christ's Visit to Martha and MaryEssex Congregational RemembrancerLuke 10:38-42
Domestic CaresDr. Talmage.Luke 10:38-42
LessonsJames Foote, M. A.Luke 10:38-42
Lessons from the Incident At BethanyW. Jay.Luke 10:38-42
Love At HomeC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 10:38-42
Martha and MaryJ. Vaughan, M. A.Luke 10:38-42
Martha and MaryC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 10:38-42
Martha; Or, Thoughts on the Active LifeW. H. Aitken, M. A.Luke 10:38-42
Martha's InterferenceT. T. Lynch.Luke 10:38-42
Mary and MarthaAlex. Macleod, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
Mary; Or, the Contemplative LifeW. H. Aitken, M. A.Luke 10:38-42
Mary's Better ChoiceS. H. Tyng, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
Mary's ChoiceR. Sibbes, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
Mary's ChoiceH. Smith.Luke 10:38-42
Need of Both Martha and MaryL. O. Thompson.Luke 10:38-42
Now it Came to Pass, as They Went, that They Entered, EtcJ. Horton.Luke 10:38-42
On Unity of Effort in the Service of GodDean Goulburn.Luke 10:38-42
One Thing is NeedfulM. Pattison.Luke 10:38-42
One Thing is NeedfulVan Oosterzee.Luke 10:38-42
One Thing is NeedfulW. P. Lockhart.Luke 10:38-42
One Thing is NeedfulT. Guthrie, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
One Thing Only is NecessaryA. Farindon.Luke 10:38-42
Over-CarefulnessH. W. Beecher.Luke 10:38-42
Realizing the Love of God as the One Thing NeedfulLuke 10:38-42
Reflection and ActionH. W. Beecher.Luke 10:38-42
Scriptural Religion the One Thing NeedfulJ. Smyth, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
The Best DishS. Cox, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
The Better PartJ. Martineau, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
The Care of Our Souls, the One Thing NeedfulArchbishop Tillotson.Luke 10:38-42
The Choice of MaryD. Rees.Luke 10:38-42
The Essential ThingE. H. Chapin, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
The Good PartThomas Brooks.Luke 10:38-42
The Good Part BestLuke 10:38-42
The Good Part ChosenBishop Ryle.Luke 10:38-42
The Good Part of MaryJ. H. Newman, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
The One Thing NeedfulT. Nicholson.Luke 10:38-42
The One Thing NeedfulC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 10:38-42
The One Thing NeedfulDean Goulburn.Luke 10:38-42
The One Thing NeedfulA. Alexander, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
The One Thing NeedfulNewman Hall, LL. B.Luke 10:38-42
The One Thing NeedfulPresident Davies.Luke 10:38-42
The One Thing NeedfulC. H. Spurgeon., W. P. Lockhart.Luke 10:38-42
The One Thing NeedfulLuke 10:38-42
The One Thing NeedfulJ. Jackson Wray.Luke 10:38-42
The Only Thing of ImportanceLuke 10:38-42
The Service of RestJ. Vaughan, M. A.Luke 10:38-42
The Single NeedM. R. Vincent, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
The Worthy PortionT. Taylor, D. D.Luke 10:38-42
Thought and ActivityF. Jacox., Longfellow., Anon.Luke 10:38-42
True Religion Exemplified in MaryC. Bradley, M. A.Luke 10:38-42
Variety in God's WorksH. R. Burton.Luke 10:38-42
What Cannot be Taken AwayW. Baxendale.Luke 10:38-42
WorryH. J. Wilmot Buxton, M. A.Luke 10:38-42
People
Jesus, Martha, Mary
Places
Bethsaida, Capernaum, Chorazin, Jericho, Jerusalem, Road to Jerusalem, Sidon, Sodom, Tyre
Topics
Better, Choose, Chosen, Deprived, Mary, Necessary, Needed, Needful, Portion, Really, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 10:42

     1651   numbers, 1-2

Luke 10:38-42

     5339   home
     5636   work, and rest
     5976   visiting

Luke 10:40-42

     5802   care
     8849   worry

Luke 10:41-42

     5634   work, and the fall
     8438   giving, of time

Library
Definiteness of Purpose in Christian Work
TEXT: "Salute no man by the way."--Luke 10:4. Luke is the only one of the Evangelists giving us the account of the sending out of the seventy. The others tell us that Christ called certain men unto him and commissioned them to tell his story; but in this instance after Jesus had said, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head," he calls the seventy and sends them forth prepared to endure any sacrifice or suffer any affliction if only
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

October 28 Evening
The Enemy.--LUKE 10:19. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.--Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

June 14 Evening
Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.--LUKE 10:41. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap. Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not. Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Having food and raiment let us be therewith content . . . They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

January 9 Evening
One thing is needful.--LUKE 10:42. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.--O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land,
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

March 8. "Pray Ye Therefore" (Luke x. 2).
"Pray Ye therefore" (Luke x. 2). Prayer is the mighty engine that is to move the missionary work. "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest." We are asking God to touch the hearts of men every day by the Holy Ghost, so that they shall be compelled to go abroad and preach the Gospel. We are asking Him to wake them up at night with the solemn conviction that the heathen are perishing, and that their blood will be upon their souls, and God is answering
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Good Samaritan
LUKE x. 33, 34. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. No words, perhaps, ever spoken on earth, have had more effect than those of this parable. They are words of power and of spirit; living words, which have gone forth into the hearts and lives of men, and borne fruit in them of a hundred
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

The Tables Turned: the Questioners Questioned
'But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, 36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38. This is the first and great commandment. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ's Messengers: their Equipment and Work
'After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place whither He Himself would come. 2. Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest. 3. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way. 5. And into whatsoever
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Neighbours Far Off
'And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26. He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27. And he, answering, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28. And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Sanctification
SANCTIFICATION [1] St Luke x. 42.--"One thing is needful." I have read many writings both of heathen philosophers and inspired prophets, ancient and modern, and have sought earnestly to discover what is the best and highest quality whereby man may approach most nearly to union with God, and whereby he may most resemble the ideal of himself which existed in God, before God created men. And after having thoroughly searched these writings as far as my reason may penetrate, I find no higher quality than
Johannes Eckhart—Meister Eckhart's Sermons

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 16, "He that Rejecteth You Rejecteth Me. "
1. What our Lord Jesus Crist at that time spake to His disciples was put in writing, and prepared for us to hear. And so we have heard His words. For what profit would it be to us if He were seen, and were not heard? And now it is no hurt, that He is not seen, and yet is heard. He saith then, "He that despiseth you, despiseth Me." [3300] If to the Apostles only He said, "He that despiseth you, despiseth Me;" do ye despise us. But if His word reach to us, and He hath called us, and set us in their
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 2, "The Harvest Truly is Plenteous," Etc.
1. By the lesson of the Gospel which has just been read, we are reminded to search what that harvest is of which the Lord says, "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest." [3262] Then to His twelve disciples, whom He also named Apostles, He added other seventy-two, and sent them all, as appears from His words, to the harvest then ready. What then was that harvest? For that harvest was not among these
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 38, "And a Certain Woman Named Martha Received Him into Her House," Etc.
1. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ which have just been read out of the Gospel, give us to understand, that there is some one thing for which we must be making, when we toil amid the manifold engagements of this life. Now we make for this as being yet in pilgrimage, and not in our abiding place; as yet in the way, not yet in our country; as yet in longing, not yet in enjoyment. Yet let us make for it, and that without sloth and without intermission, that we may some time be able to reach it. 2.
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

Again, on the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 38, Etc. , About Martha and Mary.
1. When the holy Gospel was being read, we heard that the Lord was received by a religious woman into her house, and her name was Martha. And while she was occupied in the care of serving, her sister Mary was sitting at the Lord's Feet, and hearing His Word. The one was busy, the other was still; one was giving out, the other was being filled. Yet Martha, all busy as she was in that occupation and toil of serving, appealed to the Lord, and complained of her sister, that she did not help her in her
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On Dissipation
"This I speak -- that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction." 1 Cor. 7:35. 1. Almost in every part of our nation, more especially in the large and populous towns, we hear a general complaint among sensible persons, of the still increasing dissipation. It is observed to diffuse itself more and more, in the court, the city, and the country. From the continual mention which is made of this, and the continual declamations against it, one would naturally imagine that a word so commonly used
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The one Thing Needful
The mere posture of sitting down and listening to the Saviour's word was nothing in itself: it was that which it indicated. It indicated, in Mary's case, a readiness to believe what the Saviour taught, to accept and to obey--nay to delight in, the precepts which fell from his lips. And this is the one thing needful--absolutely needful; for no rebel can enter the kingdom of heaven with the weapons of rebellion in his hands. We cannot know Christ while we resist Christ: we must be reconciled to his
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

The Good Samaritan
(Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity.) S. LUKE x. 30. "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves." The scene of the parable is a wild, lonely road between Jerusalem and Jericho. It is a road with an evil name for murder and robbery, and is called the red, or bloody way. The mishap of the traveller was common enough in our Lord's day, and is common enough now. But I would take the scene of this parable in a wider sense; I would ask you to look at it as the wayside of
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton—The Life of Duty, a Year's Plain Sermons, v. 2

Zeal.
13th Sunday after Trinity. S. Luke x., 23. "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" INTRODUCTION.--The Kingdom of Heaven, said our Lord, is like unto a treasure hid in a field. One day a man is turning over the stones which lie in a heap in a corner of the field, and he finds under them an iron chest, and this chest he believes to be full of gold. Then he carefully covers it up again with stones and earth, and goes off in the greatest excitement to the owner of the field, and offers him a price,
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Lorimer -- the Fall of Satan
George C. Lorimer was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1838. He was brought up by his stepfather who was associated with the theater, and in this relation he received a dramatic education and had some experience on the stage. In 1855 he came to the United States, where he joined the Baptist Church and abandoned the theatrical profession. Later he studied for the Baptist ministry, being ordained in 1859. He died in 1904. His direct and dramatic, pulpit style brought him into great popularity in Boston,
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8

Question on the Religious State
Are Contemplative Orders superior to Active Orders? Are Contemplative Orders superior to Active Orders? The Lord declared that Mary's was the best part, and she is the type of the contemplative life.[491] Religious Orders differ from one another primarily according to the ends they have in view, but secondarily according to the works they practise. And since one thing cannot be said to be superior to another save by reason of the differences between them, it will follow that the superiority of
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Christian Perfection
Definition of perfection: Unblemished, blameless, pure. We are commanded to be perfect. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."--Matt. 5:48. "For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."--2 Cor. 13:9, 11. "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,
J. W. Byers—Sanctification

The Christian's Fellow Man
Scripture references: Luke 10:29-37; Matthew 7:12; 5:16; Luke 12:13-15; 1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 7:3-5; 5:42-49; John 21:21, 22. MAN AND OTHER MEN The Question of Relationship.--One of the most important questions is that of the relation which a man shall hold to other men. 1. It is fundamental in every system of philosophy and religion. The answers, which are given, show their widespread practical bearing in the social, industrial and political spheres, as well as in the religious. 2. It is imperative
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

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