Martha: Bitterness, the sister of Lazarus and Mary, and probably the eldest of
the family, who all resided at Bethany
(Luke 10:38,40,41; John 11:1-39)
From the residence being called "her house," some have supposed that
she was a widow, and that her brother and sister lodged with her. She
seems to have been of an anxious, bustling spirit, anxious to be
helpful in providing the best things for the Master's use, in
contrast to the quiet earnestness of Mary, who was more concerned to
avail herself of the opportunity of sitting at his feet and learning
of him. Afterwards at a supper given to Christ and his disciples in
her house "Martha served." Nothing further is known of her. "Mary and
Martha are representatives of two orders of human character. One was
absorbed, preoccupied, abstracted; the other was concentrated and
single-hearted. Her own world was the all of Martha; Christ was the
first thought with Mary. To Martha life was 'a succession of
particular businesses;' to Mary life 'was rather the flow of one
spirit.' Martha was Petrine, Mary was Johannine. The one was a
well-meaning, bustling busybody; the other was a reverent disciple, a
wistful listener." Paul had such a picture as that of Martha in his
mind when he spoke of serving the Lord "without distraction"
(1 Corinthians 7:35)
