Luke 10:42 — Community Reflections

LUKE 10:42 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

But few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her — few things are needed (or only one): the radical simplification — the elaborate meal preparations are unnecessary; one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better: the comparative (tēn agathēn merida, the good portion) communicates that Mary's choice is not merely different but genuinely better. It will not be taken away: the learning at Jesus' feet is the investment that cannot be lost — unlike the elaborate meal that is consumed.

Church Fathers on Luke 10:42

The love of God and our neighbor, which was contained above in words and parables, is here set forth in very deed and reality; for it is said, Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village.
Bede · 8th century

The name of which village Luke indeed here omits, but John mentions, calling it Bethany.
Origen · 3rd century

But the Lord, who came to his own, and his own received him not, was received as a guest, for it follows, And a certain woman named Martha received him into her house, &c. as strangers are accustomed to be received. But still a servant received her Lord, the sick her Savior, the creature her Creator. But if any should say, “O blessed are they who have been thought worthy to receive Christ into their houses,” grieve not you, for He says, For inasmuch as you have done it to the…
Augustine · 4th century

Read all 16 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a reflection on this verse

No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!