Luke 10:42

Luke 10:42 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
• New International Version (NIV)but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
• New King James Version (NKJV)But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
• New Living Translation (NLT)There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Context of Luke 10:42

40But 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." 41But 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 10:42 word by word

ἑνὸς δέ ἐστιν χρεία· Μαριὰμ γὰρ τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα ἐξελέξατο ἥτις οὐκ ἀφαιρεθήσεται αὐτῆς.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• one thingεἷςheis · oneG1520
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• needfulχρείαchreia · needG5532
• MaryΜαρίαMaria Mariam · MaryG3137
• hath chosenἐκλέγωeklegomai · to selectG1586
• thatμερίςmeris · partG3310
• goodἀγαθόςagathos · goodG18
• whichὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
• shallἀφαιρέωaphaireō · to removeG851
• notοὐou · noG3756
• fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
• herαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Luke 10:42

• Luke 18:22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
• Psalms 27:4One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
• Psalms 73:25Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
• Ecclesiastes 12:13The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
• Mark 8:36For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
• John 17:3And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
• 1 Corinthians 13:3If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
• Galatians 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
• Colossians 2:10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
• 1 John 5:11And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
• Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
• Joshua 24:15And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
• Psalms 17:15As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
• Psalms 119:30I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.
• Psalms 16:5The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
• Psalms 142:5I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."

Commentaries on Luke 10:42

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 42One thing is needful - This is the end of the sentence, according to Bengel. "Now Mary hath chosen, etc.," begins a new one. One single dish, the simplest and plainest possible, is such as best suits me and my disciples, whose meat and drink it is to do the will of our heavenly Father. Mary hath chosen that good part - That is, of hearing my word, of which she shall not be deprived; it being at present of infinitely greater importance to attend to my…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 42But one thing is needful - That is, religion, or piety. This is eminently and especially needful. Other things are of little importance. This should be secured first, and then all other things will be added. See 1 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 6:33. That good part - The portion of the gospel; the love of God, and an interest in his kingdom. She had chosen to be a Christian, and to give up her time and affections to God. Which shall not be taken away - God will not…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 38-42Verses 38-42 A good sermon is not the worse for being preached in a house; and the visits of our friends should be so managed, as to make them turn to the good of their souls. Sitting at Christ's feet, signifies readiness to receive his word, and submission to the guidance of it. Martha was providing for the entertainment of Christ, and those that came with him. Here were respect to our Lord Jesus and right care of her household affairs. But there was…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 42only one thing is necessary: Mary has discovered it. The words of Jesus were surprising. Women were expected to serve in the home, and they were not allowed to learn from a rabbi as disciples. Jesus affirmed Mary’s desire to be his disciple.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4242. one thing, &c.--The idea of "Short work and little of it suffices for Me" is not so much the lower sense of these weighty words, as supposed in them, as the basis of something far loftier than any precept on economy. Underneath that idea is couched another, as to the littleness both of elaborate preparation for the present life and of that life itself, compared with another. chosen the good part--not in the general sense of Moses' choice (He 11:25)…Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 10:42

• Desire
• Faith
• Friendship
• Jesus, the Christ
• Martha
• Mary
• Perseverance
• Spirituality
• Women

In the dictionaries

• Careful
• Chance
• Fall
• Hire
• Mercy
• Trouble
• Choose; Chosen
• Jesus Christ
• Luke, the Gospel of
• Mark, the Gospel According to

Commentaries on Luke 10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings