Martha
The name Martha means “who becomes bitter; provoking”
Summary
Profile
The sisters Martha and Mary lived with their brother Lazarus in Bethany, near Jerusalem. Jesus loved this family and spent time with them. The Gospels of Luke and John mention Martha and Mary, while Lazarus appears only in John. This Lazarus is not the beggar from Luke 16:19–31.
Luke’s account of these two sisters (Luke 10:38–42) highlights the contrast between Martha and Mary. When Jesus visited their home, Martha was busy in the kitchen and became upset with her sister for not helping her prepare the meal. Jesus defended Mary’s choice to sit and learn from him, saying it was the most important thing.
The Gospel of John tells the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1–44). Jesus arrived in Bethany four days after Lazarus died. The sisters were upset that Jesus had not come earlier to heal their brother. Jesus felt deeply moved by the family's and friends' tears. He went to the tomb and told Lazarus to come out. To everyone's surprise, Lazarus came out, still wrapped in burial cloths. This miracle shows Jesus as the giver of eternal life (John 11:25–26). Ironically, this act of restoring Lazarus's life also prompted the Jewish leaders to bring about the death of Jesus because so many people believed in his miracles (John 11:47–53; 12:10–11).
Shortly after, the family invited Jesus to their home for a celebration meal. Mary poured a very expensive bottle of perfume on Jesus. When people criticized her for wasting it, Jesus defended her. He said her action anticipated his upcoming death (John 12:1–8; see also Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9).
Passages for Further Study
Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 10:38–42; John 11:1–44; 12:1–11, 17
Events
Glossary entries
Family members
- Father
Alternative names
- ΜάρθαMartha
Mentions
Includes 6 verses that refer to Martha without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.
- As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
- But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”
- “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things.
- At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
- Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
- …and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them in the loss of their brother.
- So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home.
- Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
- John 11:22Referred to, not namedBut even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him.”
- John 11:23Referred to, not named“Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.
- Martha replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
- John 11:25Referred to, not namedJesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
- John 11:26Referred to, not namedAnd everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
- John 11:27Referred to, not named“Yes, Lord,” she answered, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
- John 11:28Referred to, not namedAfter Martha had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside to tell her, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”
- Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met Him.
- “Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”
- So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.