JC

 The story of Martha and Mary is found in Luke 10:38–42.

Jesus visited the home of two sisters:

• Martha was busy preparing food and taking care of household duties for her guests.
• Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teaching.

Martha became frustrated and said to Jesus that Mary was not helping with the work. She asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her.

Jesus replied:

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Main lesson

The story is often understood as teaching that:

• Serving others and working hard are good.
• But spending time with God, listening, learning, and nurturing one’s spiritual life should not be neglected amid busyness.
• Jesus gently corrected Martha’s anxiety, not her hospitality.

Many Christians see Martha as representing active service and Mary as representing attentive discipleship, with the story encouraging a balance between the two.