King James Version

What Does Luke 10:39 Mean?

Luke 10:39 in the King James Version says “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.”

Luke 10:39 · KJV

Context

37

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

38

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

40

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.

41

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. The name Mary (Μαριάμ/Μαρία, from Hebrew מִרְיָם, Miriam) was common in first-century Judaism. This Mary is distinguished from others (Magdalene, Jesus' mother) by her relationship to Martha and Lazarus. The phrase kai parakathestheisa pros tous podas tou kyriou (καὶ παρακαθεσθεῖσα πρὸς τοὺς πόδας τοῦ κυρίου, "sat at the feet of the Lord") describes the classic posture of a disciple receiving instruction from a rabbi (Acts 22:3, Paul "at the feet of Gamaliel").

Mary's action was culturally radical. Rabbinic teaching was typically reserved for men; women were excluded from formal Torah study. The Mishnah records Rabbi Eliezer saying, "Whoever teaches his daughter Torah teaches her lasciviousness" (Sotah 3:4). Yet Mary assumes the disciple's position, and Jesus not only permits but commends her choice (v. 42). This validates women as worthy recipients of spiritual teaching and challenges cultural restrictions that limit women's access to God's Word.

The verb ēkouen (ἤκουεν, "heard") is imperfect tense—she kept on hearing, continuously listening. His word (ton logon autou, τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ) emphasizes content: not mere conversation but authoritative teaching, divine revelation. Mary prioritizes eternal truth over temporal tasks. Her choice anticipates Jesus' teaching that man lives not by bread alone but by every word from God's mouth (Matthew 4:4). Later, this same Mary anoints Jesus for burial (John 12:1-8), suggesting her attentive listening prepared her to understand His approaching death when the Twelve still couldn't grasp it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Jewish society sharply restricted women's roles in religious education and public life. Women attended synagogue but sat separately; they were not counted in the minyan (quorum for prayer); they were generally not taught Torah beyond basic commandments. Rabbis typically refused female disciples. Jesus' acceptance of women followers, His teaching of women, and His commendation of Mary's choice to learn theology was countercultural and controversial, reflecting the gospel's transformation of all human relationships (Galatians 3:28).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Mary's choice to sit at Jesus' feet challenge cultural expectations and demonstrate the gospel's radical inclusivity?
  2. What does Jesus' affirmation of Mary teach about the priority of spiritual formation over cultural conformity?
  3. In what ways does contemplative listening to God's Word prepare us for faithful action, as Mary's listening prepared her to anoint Jesus?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
καὶ1 of 18

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῇδε2 of 18

“she”

G3592

the same, i.e., this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun

ἦν3 of 18

“had”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἀδελφὴ4 of 18

“a sister”

G79

a sister (naturally or ecclesiastically)

καλουμένη5 of 18

“called”

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

Μαριά,6 of 18

“Mary”

G3137

maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females

ἣ7 of 18

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καὶ8 of 18

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παρακαθίσασα9 of 18

“sat”

G3869

to sit down near

παρὰ10 of 18

“at”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τοὺς11 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόδας12 of 18

“feet”

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

τοῦ13 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦ,14 of 18

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἤκουεν15 of 18

“and heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

τὸν16 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγον17 of 18

“word”

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

αὐτοῦ18 of 18

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 10:39 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 10:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 8:34Luke 8:35John 12:3Acts 22:3Deuteronomy 33:3Luke 2:46

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