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.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which 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.”

Context of Luke 10:42

40But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it 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 his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
• Psalms 27:4The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
• Psalms 73:25Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
• Ecclesiastes 12:13That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.
• Mark 8:36And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
• John 17:3And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
• 1 Corinthians 13:3If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
• Galatians 5:6For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
• Colossians 2:10So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
• 1 John 5:11And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
• Deuteronomy 30:19“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
• Joshua 24:15But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
• Psalms 17:15Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.
• Psalms 119:30I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations.
• Psalms 16:5Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.
• Psalms 142:5Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.

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