Who Was Martha In The Bible? A Character Study

Last updated on: July 18, 2015 at 3:12 pm by Jack Wellman

Who Was Martha In The Bible? A Character Study 2015-07-18T15:12:11-05:00 Jack Wellman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Who was the Martha mentioned in Scripture? What is her significance to the Christian today?

The Meaning of Martha’s Name

The name Martha apparently is of Hebrew origin and means “bitter” but in the Aramaic language, it means “lady” or “mistress of the house.” Martha was the brother of Lazarus, the man who Jesus raised from the dead (John 11). Martha is mentioned in both the Gospel of John and in the Gospel of Luke and since, in both cases, Martha and Mary are sisters, then it is highly likely that this is the same Martha that both the authors of their gospel are writing about.

Martha Introduced

It seems probable that Martha is introduced in the Gospel of Luke because in the Gospel of John in chapter 10, Martha and Mary are spoken of as being already known since they had sent for Jesus when their brother Lazarus fell ill (John 11:2) so here in Luke 10 we read of Jesus’ first apparent encounter with Martha and Mary “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me” (Luke 10:38-40). Martha was so preoccupied with getting things done around the house that she had neglected exactly Who was in the home with her and that was the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ, which is why “the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42). Instead of judging Martha, I look at my own life and ask “In what ways am I like Martha”…overly concerned with the things in life instead of choosing “the good portion?”

Martha and Mary Send for Jesus

Apparently, a bit later in Jesus’ earthly ministry “a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:1-5). If you read this out of context, the meaning of “this illness does not lead to death” is a mystery because Lazarus does indeed die but the clue about Jesus’ statement is given when He says “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” After Jesus heard about it, He waited two more days (John 11:6) even though He loved both Martha and Mary (John11:5).

The Death of Lazarus

When Jesus finally arrives, Lazarus had been dead for four days and when “Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house” (John 11:20). Here again we see Martha anxious but Mary seemed less so as she remained seated in the house. Was this because she knew that Jesus was coming and that He would raise Lazarus from the dead? Is this because Mary is more trusting and Martha is more anxious which might explain why Martha ran up to Jesus and said “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you” (John 11:21-22). The fact is that Mary had the same reaction as Martha did as “Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John11:32). Eventually, Jesus did raise Lazarus from the dead when He said “Lazarus, come out” (John 11:43c). I believe if Jesus had not specified Lazarus then all who were in their graves would have come forth out of them because Jesus, being God, has effectual power to accomplish whatsoever He says and can and did bring back the dead to life. Jesus Himself said as much that “an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice” (John 5:28).

Conclusion

The story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus is a touching one and the point of John chapter 11 is what Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). Jesus ends this statement with a question for all of us, “Do you believe this” (John 11:26b). Sadly, most will not and when they see Jesus is real someday, it will be far too late (Rev 20:12-15).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon.

Bible Answers

Martha

Previous Post

July 18, 2015

Who Was Rahab The Harlot In The Bible? A Character Study

Next Post

July 18, 2015 Who Was Onesimus In The Bible? A Character Study

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Answers Bible Definitions Bible Story Bible Study Bible Verses Christian Books Christian Entertainment Christian Fathers Christian Mothers Christian Quotes Devotional Famous Christians Music News Parables Prayers Quotes Sunday School Lesson Uncategorized Youth Sermons

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Where was Paul when he had a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Athens Corinth Philippi Troas