Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Luke 10:38-42

Introduction: Mary & Martha: Revisited

For many of us, the story of Jesus’ interaction with Mary and Martha is quite familiar. Most of us know that Mary was praised for sitting at Jesus’ feet, whereas Martha was rebuked for focusing on chores. A deeper look at the context of the passage presents a different, more nuanced picture of this well-known scene. 

For example, many interpreters of the Bible, pastors included, have argued that the moral of this story is to be “like Mary,” the faithful proto-Christian and not like “Martha,” the busybody. This isn’t completely wrong, but it lacks a fuller picture of the cultural dynamics at work in this setting-setting up Martha as a pseudo-villain. By understanding some of the contextual details, we arrive…

1. How does the story of Mary and Martha challenge traditional views of hospitality and religious duty, especially when contrasted with the parable of the Good Samaritan earlier in Luke 10?

2. In what ways do cultural and societal expectations shape Martha’s actions, and what does Jesus’ response to her reveal about the values of the kingdom of God?

3. The guide suggests that both Mary and Martha genuinely desired to serve and honor Jesus—just in different ways. How can we discern when our acts of service are actually drawing us away from a deeper relationship with…