Luke 10:38 - As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

Generated Verse: Luke 10:38

What does "Luke 10:38" mean?


This verse, Luke 10:38, sets the scene for the well-known story of Martha and Mary. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"As they went on their way...": This connects the passage to the previous verses in Luke 10, where Jesus is sending out the 72 disciples to prepare the way for him. "They" likely refers to Jesus and his disciples. They were traveling and preaching in the region.
"...he entered into a certain village...": The verse doesn't specify which village. The focus is on the encounter that follows.
"...and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.": This is the key action of the verse.
"Martha": She is identified by name, indicating her importance in the story.
"received him into her house": This means Martha welcomed Jesus as a guest into her home. This act of hospitality was significant in that culture and showed honor and respect to Jesus. It also implies that Martha had some level of faith or interest in Jesus. She opened her home and offered him shelter, food, and rest.

In essence, the verse means: Jesus and his disciples were traveling, and they stopped in a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home, offering them hospitality.

This verse is important because it:

Introduces Martha: Sets up the encounter and the character of Martha, who is a key figure in the story.
Highlights the theme of hospitality: Shows the importance of welcoming guests, especially in the context of Jesus' ministry.
Provides context for the subsequent events: It sets the stage for the contrasting responses of Martha and her sister Mary to Jesus' presence, which is the main point of the story.