Martha
femaleNew TestamentMeaning: “Lady; mistress”
The busy, hospitable sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany, gently corrected by Jesus for anxious distraction, who confessed Him as the Christ at her brother’s tomb.
Biography
Martha of Bethany, sister of Mary and Lazarus, was a close friend of Jesus known for her active hospitality — and for two memorable encounters that taught the priority of devotion and the power of resurrection faith.
Careful and troubled
When Jesus visited their home, Martha was "cumbered about much serving" and complained that Mary sat listening instead of helping. Jesus answered gently, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful" (Luke 10:41–42), commending Mary's choice without despising Martha's service.
Confession at the tomb
When Lazarus died, Martha met Jesus with both grief and faith. To His promise, "I am the resurrection, and the life," she gave one of the great confessions of the Gospels: "Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God" (John 11:25–27). She then witnessed her brother raised from the dead.
Life Timeline
Gently corrected by Jesus for anxious distraction
Confesses Jesus as the Christ before Lazarus is raised
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Martha
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Martha appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
12 verses in 2 booksLuke3 verses
Luke 10:38
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luke 10:40
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luke 10:41
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
John9 verses
John 11:1
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
John 11:5
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John 11:19
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
John 11:20
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
John 11:21
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:24
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:30
Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
John 11:39
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
John 12:2
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Frequently asked about Martha
Who was Martha in the Bible?
The busy, hospitable sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany, gently corrected by Jesus for anxious distraction, who confessed Him as the Christ at her brother’s tomb.
What does the name Martha mean?
The name Martha means “Lady; mistress”.
Where does Martha appear in the Bible?
Martha is mentioned 12 times across 2 books: Luke, John.
What can we learn from Martha?
The story of Martha touches on themes of martha, miracles of christ, the, sorrow, bethany — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Martha's life.
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