LUKE 10:40 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) But Martha kept getting pulled away to keep the household running, and after a while approached Yeshua and asked, “Master, doesn’t it bother you that my sister has left all the housework to me? Tell her to come and help me.”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, magenta:vocative, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But Martha was distracted with much service, and coming up, she said, “Lord, are you not concerned that my sister has left me alone to serve? Therefore, speak to her so that she might help me.”

UST But Martha was worrying about preparing the meal for all of them. She went to Jesus and said, “Lord, my sister has left me to prepare everything by myself. You must know that is not fair. Please tell her to help me!”

BLB But Martha was distracted about much service; and having come up, she said, "Lord, is it not concerning to You that my sister has left me alone to serve? Therefore speak to her, that she might help me!"

AICNT But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she came up and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her then to help me.”

OEB but Martha was distracted by the many preparations that she was making. So she went up to Jesus and said, ‘Master, do you approve of my sister’s leaving me to make preparations alone? Tell her to help me.’

WEBBE But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.”

LSV and Martha was distracted about much serving, and having stood by Him, she said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister left me alone to serve? Say then to her that she may partake along with me.”

FBV Martha was concerned about all that needed to be done to prepare the meal, so she came to Jesus and said, “Master, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!”

TCNT But Martha was distracted by the many preparations that had to be made. So she came up to Jesus and said, “Lord, do yoʋ not care that my sister has left me to make all the preparations by myself? Tell her then to assist me.”

T4T But Martha was very much concerned about preparing a meal. She went to Jesus and said, “Lord, ◄you do not seem to care that my sister has left me to prepare everything by myself!/do you not care that my sister has left me to prepare everything by myself?► [RHQ] Tell her that she should help me!”

LEB But Martha was distracted with much preparation, so she approached and[fn] said, “Lord, is it not a concern to you that my sister has left me alone to make preparations? Then tell her that she should help me!”

10:40 *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb

BBE But Martha had her hands full of the work of the house, and she came to him and said, Lord, is it nothing to you that my sister has let me do all the work? Say to her that she is to give me some help.

Moff Now Martha was so busy attending to them that she grew worried; she came up and said, "Lord, is it all one to you that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Come, tell her to lend me a hand."

Wymth Martha meanwhile was busy and distracted in waiting at table, and she came and said, "Master, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do all the waiting? Tell her to assist me."

ASV But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

DRA But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me.

YLT and Martha was distracted about much serving, and having stood by him, she said, 'Sir, dost thou not care that my sister left me alone to serve? say then to her, that she may partake along with me.'

Drby Now Martha was distracted with much serving, and coming up she said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Speak to her therefore that she may help me.

RV But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
(But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost/do thou/you not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. )

SLT And Martha was perplexed about much service, and having stood before, said, Lord, carest thou not that my sister left me to serve alone? Speak therefore to her that she may lay hold and assist with me.

Wbstr 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.

KJB-1769 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.
(But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost/do thou/you not care that my sister hath/has left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. )

KJB-1611 But Martha was cumbred about much seruing, and came to him, and said, Lord, doest thou not care that my sister hath left mee to serue alone? Bid her therefore that she helpe me.
(But Martha was cumbred about much seruing, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost/do thou/you not care that my sister hath/has left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.)

Bshps But Martha was cumbred about much seruing, and came to hym, & saide: Lorde, doest thou not care that my sister hath lefte me to serue alone? Byd her therfore that she helpe me.
(But Martha was cumbred about much seruing, and came to him, and said: Lord, dost/do thou/you not care that my sister hath/has left me to serve alone? Byd her therefore that she help me.)

Gnva But Martha was combred about much seruing, and came to him, and saide, Master, doest thou not care that my sister hath left me to serue alone? bid her therefore, that she helpe me.
(But Martha was combred about much seruing, and came to him, and said, Master, dost/do thou/you not care that my sister hath/has left me to serve alone? bid her therefore, that she help me. )

Cvdl But Martha made hirself moch to do, for to serue him. And she stepte vnto him, and sayde: LORDE, carest thou not, that my sister letteth me serue alone? Byd her therfore, that she helpe me.
(But Martha made herself much to do, for to serve him. And she stepte unto him, and said: LORD, carest thou/you not, that my sister letteth me serve alone? Byd her therefore, that she help me.)

TNT And Martha was combred about moche servinge and stode and sayde: Master doest thou not care that my sister hath leeft me to minister alone? Byd her therfore that she helpe me.
(And Martha was combred about much servinge and stood and said: Master dost/do thou/you not care that my sister hath/has left me to minister alone? Byd her therefore that she help me. )

Wycl But Martha bisiede aboute the ofte seruyce. And sche stood, and seide, Lord, takist thou no kepe, that my sistir hath left me aloone to serue? therfor seie thou to hir, that sche helpe me.
(But Martha bisiede about the often service. And she stood, and said, Lord, takest/take thou/you no keep, that my sister hath/has left me alone to serve? therefore say thou/you to her, that she help me.)

Luth Martha aber machte sich viel zu schaffen, ihm zu dienen. Und sie trat hinzu und sprach: HErr, fragst du nicht danach, daß mich meine Schwester lässet alleine dienen? Sage ihr doch, daß sie es auch angreife!
(Martha but made/did itself/yourself/themselves many to/for create/make, him to/for serve/be_of_service. And they/she/them stepped in and spoke: LORD, ask you(sg) not after/thereafter/then, that me my sister lets alone/solely serve/be_of_service? Say_to you(pl)/their/her though/but, that they/she/them it also angreife!)

ClVg Martha autem satagebat circa frequens ministerium: quæ stetit, et ait: Domine, non est tibi curæ quod soror mea reliquit me solam ministrare? dic ergo illi ut me adjuvet.[fn]
(Martha however satagebat around/about frequens ministry: which he_stood, and he_said: Master, not/no it_is to_you curæ that sister my left me alone to_serve? say therefore them as me adyuvet. )

10.40 Martha autem. Intenta erat Maria quomodo pasceretur a Domino, intenta erat Martha: quomodo pasceret Dominum: hæc convivium parat Domino, in convivio Domini illa jam jucundatur.

10.40 Martha however. Intenta was Maria how pasceretur from Master, intenta was Martha: how pasceret the_Master: these_things banquet parat Master, in/into/on convivio Master that already yucundatur.

UGNT ἡ δὲ Μάρθα περιεσπᾶτο περὶ πολλὴν διακονίαν; ἐπιστᾶσα δὲ εἶπεν, Κύριε, οὐ μέλει σοι, ὅτι ἡ ἀδελφή μου μόνην με κατέλιπεν διακονεῖν? εἰπὲ οὖν αὐτῇ ἵνα μοι συναντιλάβηται!
(haʸ de Martha periespato peri pollaʸn diakonian; epistasa de eipen, Kurie, ou melei soi, hoti haʸ adelfaʸ mou monaʸn me katelipen diakonein? eipe oun autaʸ hina moi sunantilabaʸtai!)

SBL-GNT ἡ δὲ Μάρθα περιεσπᾶτο περὶ πολλὴν διακονίαν· ἐπιστᾶσα δὲ εἶπεν· Κύριε, οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι ἡ ἀδελφή μου μόνην με ⸀κατέλειπεν διακονεῖν; ⸀εἰπὲ οὖν αὐτῇ ἵνα μοι συναντιλάβηται.
(haʸ de Martha periespato peri pollaʸn diakonian; epistasa de eipen; Kurie, ou melei soi hoti haʸ adelfaʸ mou monaʸn me ⸀kateleipen diakonein; ⸀eipe oun autaʸ hina moi sunantilabaʸtai.)

RP-GNT Ἡ δὲ Μάρθα περιεσπᾶτο περὶ πολλὴν διακονίαν· ἐπιστᾶσα δὲ εἶπεν, Κύριε, οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι ἡ ἀδελφή μου μόνην με κατέλειπεν διακονεῖν; Εἰπὲ οὖν αὐτῇ ἵνα μοι συναντιλάβηται.
(Haʸ de Martha periespato peri pollaʸn diakonian; epistasa de eipen, Kurie, ou melei soi hoti haʸ adelfaʸ mou monaʸn me kateleipen diakonein; Eipe oun autaʸ hina moi sunantilabaʸtai.)

TC-GNT Ἡ δὲ Μάρθα περιεσπᾶτο περὶ πολλὴν διακονίαν· ἐπιστᾶσα δὲ εἶπε, Κύριε, οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι ἡ ἀδελφή μου μόνην με [fn]κατέλειπε διακονεῖν; [fn]Εἰπὲ οὖν αὐτῇ ἵνα μοι συναντιλάβηται.
(Haʸ de Martha periespato peri pollaʸn diakonian; epistasa de eipe, Kurie, ou melei soi hoti haʸ adelfaʸ mou monaʸn me kateleipe diakonein; Eipe oun autaʸ hina moi sunantilabaʸtai. )

10:40 κατελειπε ¦ κατελιπε ANT NA PCK TR

10:40 ειπε ¦ ειπον WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:38–42: Jesus visited Martha and Mary

Jesus and his disciples continued to travel from place to place. During their travels, Jesus went to the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Their brother was Lazarus. This short section shows how the two sisters considered different things to be important. It also tells what Jesus thought about those things.

Some other examples for section headings are:

Jesus’ Visit with Martha and Mary

At the Home of Martha and Mary (NIV)

This story occurs only in Luke.

10:40a

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made.

But Martha was preoccupied by all that she was preparing.
But Martha, on the other hand, was upset because she had so much work to do to serve Jesus and the other guests.
But Martha was too busy with all her preparations for the meal.

But: The Greek particle that the BSB translates as But here introduces a contrast between what Mary was doing and what Martha was doing. Indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

Martha was distracted: The Greek word that the BSB translates as distracted occurs only here in the NT. In this context it indicates that Martha was busy, worried, or “upset” by all the work that needed to be done. Because of this, she was unable to listen to Jesus. It refers both to her feelings and to the many things that she was doing.

by all the preparations to be made: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as all the preparations to be made is literally “much service.” In this context it refers primarily to the work that was involved in preparing and serving a special meal for their honored guest(s).

Some ways to translate 10:40a are:

Martha was distracted with much serving (RSV)

Martha was distracted by her many tasks (NRSV)

Martha was upset over all the work she had to do (GNT)

Martha was busy with all the work to be done (NCV)

10:40b

She came to Jesus and said,

Martha came to Jesus and said to him,
So/Finally Martha went to Jesus to ask him,

She came to Jesus: Martha came to Jesus as a result of the situation described in 10:39–10:40a. Martha had been working by herself for some time. Consider how to express the connection between 10:39–40a and 10:40b in your language. Some ways to do that in English are:

So she went to Jesus

Finally, she went to Jesus (CEV)

and said: The Greek verb that the BSB translates literally as said introduces the rhetorical question that Martha asked in 10:40c. Consider whether in your language it would be more natural to use “said” or “asked” here.

10:40c

“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?

“Lord, does it not matter to you^(sing) that my sister is idle, letting me do the work all by myself?
“Lord, I am the only one who has been working. My younger sister has not been helping me. That is not fair! Are you concerned about that?
“Lord, surely you care that my younger sister is not doing any of the work and I have to do it all by myself.

Lord: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Lord is the same word that was used in 10:39. The text does not make explicit exactly what Martha implied when she used this title to address Jesus.

Consider whether or not it is natural in your language to use the same title here and in 10:39. You should use a title that indicates great respect. For example:

my Lord/Chief

Master/Teacher

See Lord, Context 3, in the Glossary.

do You not care: The form of this question in Greek implies that Martha expected Jesus to respond by asking Mary to help her with the work.

This is a rhetorical question. It functions as a complaint, and it indicates that Martha was disturbed and frustrated. It seemed unfair to her that Mary was not helping with the work, and she was frustrated that Jesus allowed that. The question implies that Jesus should have done something to correct the situation.

There are at least three ways to translate this rhetorical question:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Lord, doesn’t it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? (CEV)
Lord, do you think it is good that my sister is letting me do all the work by myself?
As a statement and a question. For example:
Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Aren’t you concerned about that?
Lord, it seems unfair that my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don’t you agree?
As a statement. For example:
Lord, surely you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself!
Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. I do not understand why you have done nothing about it.

Express Martha’s frustration in a natural way in your language. Notice that some languages use a negative question, as in the CEV example. Other languages use a positive question to express the same meaning. Be sure to choose an appropriate form in your language to express Martha’s frustration.

my sister has left me to serve alone: This statement implies that Martha did all the work of serving the guests herself. It implies that Mary had not helped Martha at all. Another way to translate this is:

my sister just sits here while I do all the work (NLT)

my sister: The phrase my sister refers here to Martha’s younger sister Mary. Use a natural way in your language for a woman to refer to her younger sister. In some languages it may be necessary to supply the name “Mary” here.

to serve: In this context the Greek phrase that the BSB translates as to serve refers to doing the necessary household tasks. Here these tasks probably involved cooking and preparing to serve food to the guests.

alone: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as alone here means “by myself” or “without any help.”

10:40d

Tell her to help me!”

Please tell her to help me!”
Please speak to her about it so she will help me.”
So please tell her that she should come and help me.”

Tell her to help me!: In Greek, this clause is literally, “Speak, therefore, to her so that she will help me.” The conjunction “therefore” introduces a conclusion. Martha believed that Jesus should care about her situation, so she asked him to tell Mary to help. Some English versions use the words “so” or “then” to imply this. For example:

Tell her then to help me. (NRSV)

So kindly ask her to come and work with me.

In some languages, a literal translation may seem as if Martha was rudely ordering Jesus to do something. You should translate this clause in a way that indicates proper respect. For example:

Please tell her to help me. (NJB)

Parallel LUKE 10:40

Section 10:38–42: Jesus visited Martha and Mary

10:40a

10:40b

10:40c

10:40d