Bible Strands
Luke 10:42
But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to Martha in her own home, immediately after she has complained that her sister Mary is not helping with the work of serving.
The words — χρείαν (chreia) carries the weight of "necessity," not mere convenience; paired with ἑνός (henos, "one"), it sets a single essential thing against the "many things" of verse 41.
The thread — The "one thing" language echoes David's single desire in Psalms 27:4 and his declared "chosen portion" in Psalms 16:5; John 10:27 supplies the mechanism — listening to the voice.
Why it lands — It forces a reader to name what the "one thing" actually is in their own life and to stop treating every task as equally urgent.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Cross-references
- Psalms 27:4 One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.
- Psalms 16:5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
- John 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
- John 4:14 But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”
- Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
- John 5:24 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.
- Luke 18:22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.
- Psalms 142:5 I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
- John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.