Introduction

Recently I preached on the account of Mary and Martha from Luke 10:38-42.  As I prepared for this text, I did what I always do whenever I can—I translated the text from Greek to English, noting the main verbs, participles, infinitives, and a few lesser significant parts of speech.  My goal in this was to understand how the original author framed the story, though I know that narrative takes on a unique form compared to something like a Pauline epistle.  As I began to dig into the Greek, one Specific word stood out to me.  In English, the word is translated came—”Martha came up to Jesus.”  While this is a legitimate translation of the word, I had one question in my mind: “did Martha simply ‘come up to Jesus?”   Was there more involved in how she came?  I began to look at the story as a whole—seeing Martha in the kitchen, seeing Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus.  I began to pick up the sense of Martha’s heart that is communicated when the author says things like she was “distracted with too many preparations.”  I began to envision what might have been going on here.  Perhaps, Martha kept peeking around the corner from the kitchen to give Mary an evil glare.  Maybe she started intentionally banging around pots and pans or intentionally dropping them to get Mary’s attention, leaving out an audible sigh of frustration.  Finally, after nothing worked and she had enough, she stormed out to Jesus and walked right up to him and demanded that He do something!  But that is not really in the text, or is it?

Digging A Little Deeper

Upon closer examination of this word for come, I believe what I have described above actually is in the text.  The Greek word used in this text is not the normal word used for come; the word implies something more than just a general “coming” or “come up to.”  The word, ἐφίστημι, means to stand near.  The word is used in a variety of contexts that help us in our understanding of its usage in Luke 10.  In Luke 2:9, the word is used of the Angel of the Lord who “suddenly stood” before the shepherds.  In Luke 24:4 the word is used to describe the angels as the tomb of Jesus who “suddenly stood near” the women who came to anoint the body of Jesus.  Acts 17:5 translates this term as an attack, as Luke describes a mob that attacked a home, and in Luke 20:1, Luke translates this word to describe the chief priests and scribes who “confronted” Jesus.  Clearly, this word can be used to mean much more and simply walking up or coming to someone!

Context Determines Meaning

So how do we decide the usage for our given text?  What criteria should be used to determine the meaning of this word?  Context needs to play a chief role in understanding this word in this text!  While the semantic range of the word ἐφίστημι allows for a broad spectrum of possibilities, the immediate context can and does help us narrow down what might be the author’s intended usage.  While the word ἐφίστημι can mean “to come,” I would point out a few items from the context.  First of all, notice Marth’s distraction.  The word used for distraction means to be pulled or dragged away.  The implication is this: Martha was not focusing on the things she ought to.  She was sacrificing the best things for mere good things.  Her desires were out of perspective.  We call this idolatry.  An idol is anything that distracts us from God, and Satan loves to use good things to provide distraction.  Martha was “pulled away” from doing her service for the master and she began doing her service in the kitchen for herself instead of Jesus.  What does this have to do with our interpretation of ἐφίστημι?  The connection is this—we always fight for what we love.  If Martha was following her idols (what she loved) in this episode, then we have to assume this was something she was passionate about.  We can safely assume that she did more than casually walk up to Jesus and say, “please sir, can I get some help!”  I believe she probably stormed up to Jesus in a fit of rage, demanding what she asked Jesus to do!

The second observation of this text is to point out Martha’s attempts to control Jesus.  Notice what she says to Him—Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the serving by myself?  Then tell her to help me.  Martha appealed to her feelings here—she was controlled by her feelings.  She felt a certain way and she was sure to tell Jesus— “I do not think you care; I do not feel seen; I am not loved.”  Because of her feelings, she demands that Jesus acknowledge them and attempt to resolve them: then tell her to help me.   Now let me ask: what right does Martha have to demand that Jesus do anything?  He is the creator of the universe!  He does not have to listen to men!  Martha allowed her emotions to get involved, and rather than viewing her situation objectively and celebrating the fact that she had the opportunity to serve the Savior, she began to let her emotions dictate her response, and when we do that we try to control those around us to get what she wants.  Here we see Martha attempting to control Jesus with her emotions, and that is how I know the Greek word ἐφίστημι likely reflects more than just “to come.”  A very deep part of what Martha valued was invested here, and that is seen in her grab for control and to use Jesus as her pawn to make herself happy.

A third item that stands out in this text is the response Jesus gives to Martha.  After her attempts to control Him, Jesus says: Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered by many things.  Notice how Jesus pinpoints what was on her heart.  First, her heart was filled with worry.  She was anxious about things she did not need to be anxious over, and this caused a passionate interaction with the Lord.  Second, she was bothered.  The Greek word here indicates being troubled or alarmed.  Martha was like a guard dog sniffing out an intruder, and she was sounding her alarm at what she thought was wrong.  All of this points to the reality that Martha’s interaction with Jesus was likely more than casual.  This was a heated exchange between a lady who was controlled by her heart’s desire and the only One whom she perceived was able to do anything about it.  The result was that Martha waltzed right up to Jesus and she let Him have it!

Final Thoughts

All of what I wrote above comes directly out of the text that contains this episode.  I began with a Greek translation, noted the parts of speech and specific words, and then used exegesis to shape hermeneutics so that my understanding of the text stemmed from the author’s description, and not my own perception.  This is the job of the expositor, and this is the reason knowing how to utilize the languages is essential for men in ministry.  When men know how to use the languages, they are able to pick out all sorts of details which they may have overlooked if they had chosen not to put in the effort.  Applying oneself to the exegetical task will not be the easiest work for expositors to perform, but those who put their time and energy into exegesis will find it to be a most rewarding task!