Who Was Martha In The Bible? A Character Study

Who was the Martha mentioned in Scripture? What is her significance to the Christian today?

The Meaning of Martha’s Name

The name Martha apparently is of Hebrew origin and means “bitter” but in the Aramaic language, it means “lady” or “mistress of the house.” Martha was the brother of Lazarus, the man who Jesus raised from the dead (John 11). Martha is mentioned in both the Gospel of John and in the Gospel of Luke and since, in both cases, Martha and Mary are sisters, then it is highly likely that this is the same Martha that both the authors of their gospel are writing about.

Martha Introduced

It seems probable that Martha is introduced in the Gospel of Luke because in the Gospel of John in chapter 10, Martha and Mary are spoken of as being already known since they had sent for Jesus when their brother Lazarus fell ill (John 11:2) so here in Luke 10 we read of Jesus’ first apparent encounter with Martha and Mary “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But 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” (Luke 10:38-40). Martha was so preoccupied with getting things done around the house that she had neglected exactly Who was in the home with her and that was the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ, which is why “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 10:41-42). Instead of judging Martha, I look at my own life and ask “In what ways am I like Martha”…overly concerned with the things in life instead of choosing “the good portion?”

Martha and Mary Send for Jesus

Apparently, a bit later in Jesus’ earthly ministry “a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:1-5). If you read this out of context, the meaning of “this illness does not lead to death” is a mystery because Lazarus does indeed die but the clue about Jesus’ statement is given when He says “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” After Jesus heard about it, He waited two more days (John 11:6) even though He loved both Martha and Mary (John11:5).

The Death of Lazarus

When Jesus finally arrives, Lazarus had been dead for four days and when “Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house” (John 11:20). Here again we see Martha anxious but Mary seemed less so as she remained seated in the house. Was this because she knew that Jesus was coming and that He would raise Lazarus from the dead? Is this because Mary is more trusting and Martha is more anxious which might explain why Martha ran up to Jesus and said “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you” (John 11:21-22). The fact is that Mary had the same reaction as Martha did as “Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John11:32). Eventually, Jesus did raise Lazarus from the dead when He said “Lazarus, come out” (John 11:43c). I believe if Jesus had not specified Lazarus then all who were in their graves would have come forth out of them because Jesus, being God, has effectual power to accomplish whatsoever He says and can and did bring back the dead to life. Jesus Himself said as much that “an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice” (John 5:28).

Conclusion

The story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus is a touching one and the point of John chapter 11 is what Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). Jesus ends this statement with a question for all of us, “Do you believe this” (John 11:26b). Sadly, most will not and when they see Jesus is real someday, it will be far too late (Rev 20:12-15).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon.