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== | == Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament <ref name="term_56626" /> == | ||
<p> [[ | <p> <b> MARTHA </b> <b> ( </b> of Bethany, sister of [[Lazarus]] and Mary).—The name (סָרְחָא ‘mistress’ or ‘lady’), though unique in the Scriptures, is common in the Talmud.* [Note: See Lightfoot on John 11:1.] She appears in the Gospel-story on three occasions: (1) when she entertained [[Jesus]] on His way to [[Jerusalem]] at the season of the [[Feast]] of [[Tabernacles]] (Luke 10:38-42); (2) when Lazarus died and was revived by Jesus (John 11:1-46); and (3) when Jesus, on His way to the [[Passover]] from His retreat at [[Ephraim]] (John 11:54), was honoured with a public entertainment at [[Bethany]] in the house of a leading man named [[Simon]] the [[Leper]] (John 12:1-11 = Matthew 26:6-13 = Mark 14:3-9). Being a notable housewife, [[Martha]] was entrusted with the management of the banquet. See Anointing, I. 2. </p> <p> The idea that the scene of this entertainment was Martha’s house has given rise to the unfortunate surmise that Martha was a widow, Simon the Leper being her deceased husband. On the supposition that Κυρία in 2 John 1:1; 2 John 1:5 is a proper name, the [[Greek]] equivalent of <i> Martha </i> , ‘lady’ (Volmar), it has been surmised that St. John’s 2nd [[Epistle]] is addressed to our Martha. This is ingenious but untenable, since (1) ‘the elect Kyria’ would be, not ἐκλεκτῇ Κυρίᾳ (v. 1), but Κυρίᾳ τῇ ἐκλεκτῇ (cf. 3 John 1:1); (2) the Epistle is probably addressed metaphorically to a church and not to an individual. </p> <p> Martha and [[Mary]] exhibit a peculiarity frequently observable in families. They were, like the brothers [[Jacob]] and Esau, utterly diverse in disposition and temperament. While Mary was impassioned and imaginative, Martha was unemotional and practical.† [Note: Zig. on Luke 10:42δύο μερίδες πολιτείας ἐπαινεταί, ἡ μὲν πρακτικὴ ἡ δὲ θεωρητική.] When Jesus visited her house at the season of the Feast of Tabernacles, He found her busy preparing the festal cheer (see Mary, No. 3). His arrival redoubled her housewifely solicitude, and it angered her when she saw her sister seated at His feet and listening to His discourse, leaving to her unaided hands the offices of hospitality. And when Jesus came to Bethany in tardy response to the sisters’ appeal, ‘Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick,’ Mary was in the darkened home overwhelmed with grief, but Martha had repressed her emotion, and, when word was brought her that Jesus had been sighted making His toilsome approach by the [[Ascent]] of Blood, the steep and robber-haunted road up the eastern slope of Olivet, she went out and met Him ere He entered the village. She greeted Him calmly, not without upbraiding for His delay; and when He assured her that her brother would rise again, she took His words in her matter-of-fact way as a reference to the current doctrine of the resurrection of the righteous at the last day, seeing in them merely a commonplace of pious consolation. Very different was her sister’s behaviour. When Martha returned home and told her that the [[Master]] had arrived and was calling for her, she sprang up and ran to Him, and, in a passion of love and sorrow, flung herself at His feet. </p> <p> It were, however, unjust to disparage Martha. She was of a practical turn, but she was very far from stupid. She was mistress of the house, and she was as a mother to her unworldly sister. There was evidently a close sympathy between them. During the dark days which succeeded their brother’s death, they had been each other’s comforters and had unbosomed their grief one to the other. Their constant plaint had been, ‘Had the Lord been here, our brother had not died’; and this was the cry of each in turn when they met Jesus (John 11:21; John 11:32). Martha was calm and self-possessed, but a great tenderness was concealed beneath her unemotional exterior. She wept less than Mary, but she mourned as deeply. Nor was she lacking in love and reverence for Jesus. Her impatience of Mary’s inactivity amid the bustle of preparing the meal was due less to resentment at being left alone to serve, than to anxiety that nothing should be wanting for the comfort of the dear Master. And she believed in His power to help even when Lazarus had been dead four days (John 11:22). She lacked some qualities which Mary possessed, but she had others of her own, and Jesus appreciated the excellence of her character. He loved Martha no less than her sister and Lazarus (John 11:5). </p> <p> It is no slight attestation of the historicity of the Lukan and Johannine narratives of the family of Bethany that they faithfully accord in their delineations of the two sisters. On the pages of St. John each sustains the character which she exhibits in the little scene so exquisitely depicted by St. Luke. Here are no imaginary pictures, but portraitures of real personages. </p> <p> St. John says that the village where Martha and her sister dwelt was Bethany; but St. Luke does not name it, and he has been charged with placing the incident of the meal in Martha’s house in Galilee. This idea, however, arises from a misconception of his literary method. Like the other Synoptists, St. Luke was not an original author but an editor of the Evangelic Tradition, and his aim was not chronological accuracy but the exhibition of Jesus. He sifted the ample material at his disposal, and arranged his selections topically rather than historically. [[Thus]] at Luke 9:49-50, recounting what befell in Galilee, he records the Lord’s rebuke of His disciples’ mistaken zeal; then, finding another incident which teaches a like lesson (Luke 9:51-56), he inserts it in this connexion, though it belongs to the last journey to Jerusalem (cf. Luke 9:51). Having begun this section of the Tradition, he continues it, giving various other incidents of the journey, down to the close of ch. 12. Then he returns to what befell in Galilee, resuming the narrative of the journey to Jerusalem at Luke 17:11. </p> <p> [[David]] Smith. </p> | ||
== Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible <ref name="term_52792" /> == | |||
<p> <strong> MARTHA </strong> is first mentioned ( Luke 10:38-42 ) as living in ‘a certain village’ with her sister <strong> [[Mary]] </strong> , and as receiving our Lord as He passed on His way. We know from John 11:1; John 12:1 that they afterwards lived with Lazarus, their brother, in Bethany; the village, then, may be either [[Bethany]] or where they lived before moving there. The characters of the two sisters are strongly marked and rendered vivid by their contrast; we shall therefore deal with the characteristics of <em> both </em> in this article. </p> <p> [[Martha]] is over-anxious, and distracted with household duties; while Mary, as a disciple, sits ‘at the feet’ (cf. Acts 22:8 ) of Jesus. Martha complained to our Lord of Mary’s inactivity, and showed some temper, perhaps jealousy, by speaking of the matter to Him rather than to her. [[Jesus]] commenced His reply with ‘Martha, Martha,’ repeating the name as He did on another occasion of loving correction (‘Simon, Simon,’ Luke 22:31 ), and blamed her for her outward agitation (‘troubled’) and inward anxiety. (‘careful,’ RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘anxious’), telling her that she lacked ‘the one thing needful.’ (For various reading see RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] .) He then praised Mary for having ‘chosen that good part’ which from its nature was everlasting, and so would ‘not be taken from her.’ He blamed Martha, not for her attentive service of love, but for allowing that service to irritate, agitate, and absorb her. Martha’s character here is loving, active, self-reliant, practical, hasty; Mary’s also loving, but thoughtful, humble, receptive, dependent, devoted. We find the same distinguishing marks in John 11:1-57 , where the two sisters again appear in the narrative of the raising of Lazarus. When Jesus, after delaying for four days ( John 11:17 ) to come in response to their joint request ( John 11:3 ), arrived, Martha was the first to hear of His arrival, and at once went to meet Him. Mary, on the other hand, removed by her grief from the activities of life engaged in by her sister, was unaware of His coming. The moment, however, that she was sent for by Him ( John 11:28 ) she hurried to His presence, and fell down at His feet. The contrast of character seen in Luke 10:1-42 is here markedly present. </p> <p> ‘Martha holds a conversation, argues with Him, remonstrates with Him, and in the very crisis of their grief shows her practical common sense in deprecating the removal of the stone. It is Mary who goes forth silently to meet Him, silently and tearfully, so that the bystanders suppose her to be going to weep at her brother’s tomb; who, when she sees Jesus, falls down at His feet; who, uttering the same words of faith in His power as Martha (Luke 10:21; Luke 10:32 ), does not qualify them with the same reservation; who infects all the bystanders with the intensity of her sorrow, and crushes the human spirit of our Lord Himself with sympathetic grief (Lightfoot, <em> Biblical Essays </em> , p. 37). </p> <p> The sisters appear again, and finally, in John 12:1-50 , at the [[Supper]] given to our Lord at Bethany (see art. Mary, No. 2); and again their contrast of disposition is seen. Martha, as presumably the elder sister, ‘served,’ while Mary poured the precious ointment on the Saviour’s head and feet. A comparison between this passage and Luke 10:38-42 shows, indeed, the same Martha, but now there is no record of her over-anxiety or distraction, or of any complaint of her sister’s absorption in devotion to the Saviour; for doubtless she had herself now chosen that good part which would not be taken from her. </p> <p> [[Charles]] T. P. Grierson. </p> | |||
== Fausset's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_36490" /> == | |||
<p> [[Feminine]] of Μaree , "Lord." (See LAZARUS.) [[Theophylact]] made her daughter of [[Simon]] the leper, others his wife or widow. The undesigned consistency of her character in Luke 10:38, etc., and John 11; 12, confirms the genuineness of both writings. [[Bethany]] was the home of [[Martha]] (probably the oldest), Mary, and Lazarus. Martha received [[Jesus]] into "her house" there. She was the one that kept the house, managed household affairs, and served (Luke 10:40). She "was distracted (periespato , 'cumbered') with much serving," whereas God's will is "that we attend upon the Lord without distraction" (aperispastos; 1 Corinthians 7:35). She loved Jesus, and it was to serve Him that she was so bustling. </p> <p> She was secretly vexed with herself as much as with Mary, that the latter enjoyed the privilege of hearing Jesus' word seated at His feet, while she could not persuade herself to do the same for fear that a varied enough repast should not be served up to Him. Martha came abruptly (epistasa ) and said, "Lord, dost [[Thou]] not care (melei ) that my sister hath left me (probably going into another apartment where Jesus was speaking) to serve alone? [[Bid]] her therefore that she help me." Jesus answered, cf6 "Martha, Martha (the repetition implies reproof), thou art careful (mentally solicitous, anxious with a divided mind, forbidden in Matthew 6:22-31; 1 Corinthians 7:32; merimnas , from merizoo "to 'divide' ") and troubled (bustling outwardly: turbazee ) about many things (many dishes, in the present case, Bengel's Gnomon)". </p> <p> But one thing is needful (one dish in the primary sense, secondarily the one 'good portion'; Matthew 6:22; Philippians 3:13; John 6:53; John 6:27), and [[Mary]] hath chosen that good portion," etc. [[Much]] serving has its right place and time (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Timothy 5:14), but ought to give place to hearing when Jesus speaks, for faith whereby the good and abiding portion is gained cometh by hearing (Romans 10:17). (On her conduct at the raising of her brother (See LAZARUS.) "Martha served" at the supper where the raised [[Lazarus]] was and where Mary anointed Jesus' feet. Her work is the same, but her spirit in it blessedly changed; no longer "distracted" with much serving, nor mentally anxious and outwardly bustling, but calm, trustful, and sympathizing by silent acquiescence in her sister's act of love (John 12:2). </p> | |||
== Bridgeway Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_18841" /> == | == Bridgeway Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_18841" /> == | ||
<p> Martha, [[Mary]] and their brother [[Lazarus]] lived in the village of Bethany, just outside [[Jerusalem]] (John 11:1; John 11:18). [[Jesus]] knew the family well (John 11:5), for he had probably been there often to get away from the crowds and enjoy some rest and fellowship. That was probably why he rebuked [[Martha]] on one occasion. She busied herself with much preparation for a special meal, whereas Jesus was looking only for some quiet and relaxing conversation with his friends. Mary, realizing this, talked with Jesus, and in so doing she benefited from the words he spoke (Luke 10:38-42). </p> <p> Some time after this, Lazarus fell ill. The sisters sent for Jesus, but by the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus was dead (John 11:1-6; John 11:17). Martha and Mary were convinced that if Jesus had been there, he could have done something to stop Lazarus from dying (John 11:19-21; John 11:28-32). </p> <p> Martha still believed that Jesus had the power to do anything (John 11:22) and, in response to Jesus’ question, she reaffirmed her faith in him as the Messiah, the [[Son]] of [[God]] (John 11:25-27). Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus demonstrated not only the power that Jesus had over death, but also the unity that Jesus had with his Father in all his works (John 11:41-44). </p> <p> A few days later, when Jesus and his disciples were having a meal with Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary anointed his feet with costly ointment. Jesus saw this as a symbolic anointing in preparation for his burial, which would soon take place (John 12:1-8). When, during the last few days before the crucifixion, Jesus and his disciples went out to [[Bethany]] at night to sleep, this house was probably the place where they slept (Mark 11:11-12; Mark 11:19; Matthew 21:17). (If the anointing by Mary referred to above was the same as that recorded in Matthew 26:6-13, the person called [[Simon]] the leper was possibly Martha’s father or husband.) </p> | <p> Martha, [[Mary]] and their brother [[Lazarus]] lived in the village of Bethany, just outside [[Jerusalem]] (John 11:1; John 11:18). [[Jesus]] knew the family well (John 11:5), for he had probably been there often to get away from the crowds and enjoy some rest and fellowship. That was probably why he rebuked [[Martha]] on one occasion. She busied herself with much preparation for a special meal, whereas Jesus was looking only for some quiet and relaxing conversation with his friends. Mary, realizing this, talked with Jesus, and in so doing she benefited from the words he spoke (Luke 10:38-42). </p> <p> Some time after this, Lazarus fell ill. The sisters sent for Jesus, but by the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus was dead (John 11:1-6; John 11:17). Martha and Mary were convinced that if Jesus had been there, he could have done something to stop Lazarus from dying (John 11:19-21; John 11:28-32). </p> <p> Martha still believed that Jesus had the power to do anything (John 11:22) and, in response to Jesus’ question, she reaffirmed her faith in him as the Messiah, the [[Son]] of [[God]] (John 11:25-27). Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus demonstrated not only the power that Jesus had over death, but also the unity that Jesus had with his Father in all his works (John 11:41-44). </p> <p> A few days later, when Jesus and his disciples were having a meal with Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary anointed his feet with costly ointment. Jesus saw this as a symbolic anointing in preparation for his burial, which would soon take place (John 12:1-8). When, during the last few days before the crucifixion, Jesus and his disciples went out to [[Bethany]] at night to sleep, this house was probably the place where they slept (Mark 11:11-12; Mark 11:19; Matthew 21:17). (If the anointing by Mary referred to above was the same as that recorded in Matthew 26:6-13, the person called [[Simon]] the leper was possibly Martha’s father or husband.) </p> | ||
== | == Smith's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_73803" /> == | ||
<p> Mar'tha. (a lady). The sister of [[Lazarus]] and Mary. See [[Lazarus]]. The facts recorded in Luke 10 and John 11 indicate a character devout after the customary [[Jewish]] type of devotion, sharing in Messianic hopes and accepting [[Jesus]] as the Christ. When she first comes before us, Luke 10:38, her spirit is "cumbered with much serving," is "careful and troubled about many things." </p> <p> Her love, though imperfect in its form, is yet recognized as true, and she has the distinction of being one whom Jesus loved. John 11:5. Her position is obviously that of the elder sister, the head and manager of the household. In the supper at Bethany, John 12:2, the old character shows itself still, but it has been freed from evil. She is no longer "cumbered," no longer impatient. [[Activity]] has been calmed by trust. </p> | |||
== | == Morrish Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_67587" /> == | ||
<p> [[ | <p> A disciple whom [[Jesus]] loved: she was apparently the head of the household at Bethany, which Jesus at times visited. [[Martha]] was probably the widow of [[Simon]] a leper (comp. Matthew 26:6-13 with John 12:1-8 ), and superintended domestic arrangements. She received the Lord into 'her house.' Luke 10:38 . Having the Lord for a visitor she was burdened with much service, and begged Him to instruct her sister [[Mary]] to help her. A contrast is here drawn between the two sisters: the one occupied with what she could do for the Lord; the other with what He was: self being plainly uppermost in Martha, while the Lord Himself was paramount with Mary. 'That good part' should not be taken from her. But in John 12 , when the Lord was again at Bethany, and they made a supper for Him, Martha's service is in no way qualified, the raising up by the Lord of her brother Lazarus, and His dealings with herself, having doubtless taught her the needed lesson. [[Service]] in communion with Himself is acceptable to Him. </p> | ||
== Holman Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_42091" /> == | == Holman Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_42091" /> == | ||
<i> her </i> Luke 10:38Luke 10:40John 12:2John 11:20John 11:3Luke 10:38-42 John 11:21-27John 11:39Matthew 26:6-13 Mark 14:3-9Matthew 26:6-13Mark 14:3-9Mark 2:1Luke 7:37-397:44-50Luke 3:1John 21:1-8 | <i> her </i> Luke 10:38Luke 10:40John 12:2John 11:20John 11:3Luke 10:38-42 John 11:21-27John 11:39Matthew 26:6-13 Mark 14:3-9Matthew 26:6-13Mark 14:3-9Mark 2:1Luke 7:37-397:44-50Luke 3:1John 21:1-8 | ||
== | == People's Dictionary of the Bible <ref name="term_70477" /> == | ||
<p> [[Martha]] (mär'thah), bitterness. One of the family at [[Bethany]] whom [[Jesus]] loved. Martha has been supposed the elder sister, as the house is called hers, and she undertook the special charge of entertaining the Lord. Luke 10:38-42. Some have imagined that she was the wife or widow of [[Simon]] the leper; which would account for the place where [[Mary]] anointed [[Christ]] being termed his house. Matthew 26:6-7; Mark 14:3; John 12:1-3. Martha made a noble confession when she met the [[Saviour]] on his way to raise her brother Lazarus; though even her expectation reached not to the mighty work he was about to do. John 11:1-46. Nothing certain is known of her later history. </p> | |||
== Easton's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_32503" /> == | |||
Luke 10:38,40,41John 11:1-39 <p> "Mary and [[Martha]] are representatives of two orders of human character. One was absorbed, preoccupied, abstracted; the other was concentrated and single-hearted. Her own world was the all of Martha; [[Christ]] was the first thought with Mary. To Martha life was 'a succession of particular businesses;' to [[Mary]] life 'was rather the flow of one spirit.' Martha was Petrine, Mary was Johannine. The one was a well-meaning, bustling busybody; the other was a reverent disciple, a wistful listener." [[Paul]] had such a picture as that of Martha in his mind when he spoke of serving the Lord "without distraction" (1 Corinthians 7:35 ). </p> | |||
== Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary <ref name="term_48218" /> == | == Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary <ref name="term_48218" /> == | ||
<p> The sister of [[Lazarus]] and Mary. Her name is derived from Marar, bitter. We have her history, Luke 10:38-42 and John 12:1-50. This woman is rendered memorable in the church by reason of her pursuits, being so much engaged in earthly concerns while having conviction on her mind of the importance of heavenly objects. So that her name is become somewhat proverbial; and we call them the Marthas of the present day, who are careful and troubled about many things, and not so much in earnest for the one thing needful. </p> | <p> The sister of [[Lazarus]] and Mary. Her name is derived from Marar, bitter. We have her history, Luke 10:38-42 and John 12:1-50. This woman is rendered memorable in the church by reason of her pursuits, being so much engaged in earthly concerns while having conviction on her mind of the importance of heavenly objects. So that her name is become somewhat proverbial; and we call them the Marthas of the present day, who are careful and troubled about many things, and not so much in earnest for the one thing needful. </p> | ||
== | == American Tract Society Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_16666" /> == | ||
<p> | <p> [[Sister]] of [[Lazarus]] and Mary, at Bethany. [[Though]] different from [[Mary]] in temperament, she was no less truly a devoted friend of [[Christ]] and beloved by him, John 11:5 . His gentle reproof, Luke 10.38-42 , does not imply that she was a stranger to renewing grace. Her affectionate care for the hospitable entertainment of Christ must not be forgotten, nor her promptness in hasting to meet him nor her faith in his power, John 11:20-28 12:1,2 . See [[Mary]] 4. </p> | ||
== Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary <ref name="term_81096" /> == | == Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary <ref name="term_81096" /> == | ||
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<references> | <references> | ||
<ref name=" | <ref name="term_56626"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/hastings-dictionary-of-the-new-testament/martha Martha from Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament]</ref> | ||
<ref name=" | <ref name="term_52792"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/hastings-dictionary-of-the-bible/martha Martha from Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible]</ref> | ||
<ref name="term_36490"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/fausset-s-bible-dictionary/martha Martha from Fausset's Bible Dictionary]</ref> | <ref name="term_36490"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/fausset-s-bible-dictionary/martha Martha from Fausset's Bible Dictionary]</ref> | ||
<ref name=" | <ref name="term_18841"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/bridgeway-bible-dictionary/martha Martha from Bridgeway Bible Dictionary]</ref> | ||
<ref name=" | <ref name="term_73803"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/smith-s-bible-dictionary/martha Martha from Smith's Bible Dictionary]</ref> | ||
<ref name=" | <ref name="term_67587"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/morrish-bible-dictionary/martha Martha from Morrish Bible Dictionary]</ref> | ||
<ref name=" | <ref name="term_42091"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/holman-bible-dictionary/martha Martha from Holman Bible Dictionary]</ref> | ||
<ref name=" | <ref name="term_70477"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/people-s-dictionary-of-the-bible/martha Martha from People's Dictionary of the Bible]</ref> | ||
<ref name=" | <ref name="term_32503"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/easton-s-bible-dictionary/martha Martha from Easton's Bible Dictionary]</ref> | ||
<ref name=" | <ref name="term_48218"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/hawker-s-poor-man-s-concordance-and-dictionary/martha Martha from Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary]</ref> | ||
<ref name=" | <ref name="term_16666"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/american-tract-society-bible-dictionary/martha Martha from American Tract Society Bible Dictionary]</ref> | ||
<ref name="term_81096"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/watson-s-biblical-theological-dictionary/martha Martha from Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary]</ref> | <ref name="term_81096"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/watson-s-biblical-theological-dictionary/martha Martha from Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary]</ref> | ||
