But only one thing is necessary
This phrase emphasizes the singular importance of spiritual focus and devotion to Christ. The Greek word for "necessary" (ἀναγκαῖος, anankaios) implies something that is essential or indispensable. In the context of this passage, Jesus is contrasting the many distractions of life with the singular necessity of prioritizing one's relationship with Him. Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), which calls for loving God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. The "one thing" is a call to undivided devotion, echoing the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as Psalm 27:4, where David expresses a desire to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life.

Mary has chosen the good portion
The phrase "the good portion" (ἡ ἀγαθὴ μερίδα, hē agathē merida) is rich with meaning. The word "portion" (μερίδα, merida) can refer to a share or part of something, often used in the Old Testament to describe the inheritance or blessing given by God (e.g., Psalm 16:5, "The LORD is my chosen portion"). By choosing to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teaching, Mary is depicted as selecting the best inheritance, one that is spiritual and eternal. This choice is contrasted with the temporal concerns of daily life, represented by Martha's busyness. The "good portion" signifies the eternal value of spiritual nourishment over worldly distractions, aligning with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:33 to seek first the kingdom of God.

and it will not be taken away from her
This assurance from Jesus underscores the permanence and security of spiritual blessings. The Greek verb for "taken away" (ἀφαιρεθήσεται, aphairethēsetai) suggests removal or deprivation. Jesus promises that the spiritual insight and relationship Mary gains from her time with Him are eternal and cannot be lost or stolen. This reflects the biblical theme of the eternal nature of God's gifts, as seen in Romans 11:29, where Paul writes that God's gifts and calling are irrevocable. The phrase also offers comfort and encouragement to believers, affirming that their spiritual investments are secure in Christ, echoing the assurance found in John 10:28, where Jesus declares that no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand.

(42) But one thing is needful.--Some of the better MSS. present a singular various-reading, There is need of few things, or of one only. It is obvious that this might be taken either literally or spiritually. They might mean (1) that He who spoke, and the others who were coming, needed not the many things about which Martha was troubled, but a few only, or even but a single dish, to supply their wants; or (2) that the true life of men needed but a few things, such as faith, obedience, the fear of God, or even but one only, the devout and intent love which Mary was then showing. The latter interpretation is clearly most in harmony with our Lord's usual teaching, though the former has something like a parallel in the teaching of Luke 10:7 of this very chapter. It is not improbable that our Lord designedly used words which had an outer and an inner meaning, the latter intended chiefly for those who "had ears to hear." There is a singular coincidence between the words here spoken to Martha and those addressed to the young ruler ("one thing thou lackest"), whom we have seen reason to identify with her brother. (See Note on Matthew 19:16.) The omission of "few things" in the received text, may have originated in the wish to give an exclusive prominence to the higher meaning.

Mary hath chosen that good part.--The Greek noun is very nearly the same as that which the younger son, in Luke 15:12, uses for "the portion of goods," the good part or portion here being nothing less than the eternal life which is the gift of God. Here too we may trace something approaching to a half-playful mingling of the higher and lower meanings of the word which was used in the Greek version of the Old Testament at once for Benjamin's mess, i.e., portion of food (Genesis 43:34), and for God as the "portion" of His people (Psalm 73:26). Even on the assumption that our Lord spoke in Aramaic, and not in Greek, a like play upon the word would have been equally possible. . . .

Verse 42. - But one thing is needful. Jesus had been saying to this kindly but over-fussy friend, "Are you not too anxious about these household cares of yours?" and then he adds, "See, only one thing is really needful." Now, what is the exact meaning of these last words? Some expositors have taken the expression to mean "a single dish is sufficient" for my entertainment; so much careful, anxious thought is thrown away. A curious variation in the reading occurs here in some, though not in all the oldest, authorities. It seems as though some of the early copyists of the text of the Gospel were wishful to make the words, which they possibly understood as a lesson of the Master's on simplicity of food, clearer and more emphatic. This other reading is, "There is need of few things, or of one only." In other words, "Few things are enough for me and my friends to sit down to, or even one dish only." The teaching contained in ver. 7 gives a little colour to this quaint interpretation of the Master's words here, which sees in them a general warning against taking thought for the pleasures of the table. But, on the whole, the old reading contained in the received text is preferable, and the old interpretation, too, viz. that the true life of man needs but one thing, or, if the other reading be adopted, needs but few things. If we must specify the one, we would call it" love," or "charity." So John, we know, in his old days, summed up all man's duties in this "love." If, on the other hand, we are asked to name the few, then we would add to love, faith and hope. The parable of the "good Samaritan," that practical lesson of the love or charity the Master was alluding to, had just been spoken; it was Still, we may reverently assume, fresh in the Divine Teacher's mind. And Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. And Mary, his dear Bethany friend, had made her happy choice of the one thing, that love or charity which never fails; or, perchance, had made her choice of the few things needful (if we prefer the longer reading of those old manuscripts we have spoken of) - the few things would then mean that faith, hope, and charity which abide both now and in the ages of ages yet to come!

Parallel Commentaries ...

But
δέ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

only
ἢ (ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

one
ἑνός (henos)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

thing
ὀλίγων (oligōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3641: Puny; especially neuter somewhat.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

necessary.
χρεία (chreia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.

Mary
Μαριὰμ (Mariam)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3137: Or Mariam of Hebrew origin; Maria or Mariam, the name of six Christian females.

has chosen
ἐξελέξατο (exelexato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1586: To pick out for myself, choose, elect, select. Middle voice from ek and lego; to select.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

good
ἀγαθὴν (agathēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'.

portion,
μερίδα (merida)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3310: Feminine of meros; a portion, i.e. Province, share or participation.

[and it]
ἥτις (hētis)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

will not be taken away from
ἀφαιρεθήσεται (aphairethēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 851: To take away, smite off. From apo and haireomai; to remove.

her.”
αὐτῆς (autēs)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Luke 10:42 But one thing is needed (Luke Lu Lk)