New Testament
Luke 10:38
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, we see Jesus traveling with his disciples and arriving at a village where a woman named Martha lives.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
As Jesus and his disciples continued their journey, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.
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.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we see Jesus traveling with his disciples and arriving at a village where a woman named Martha lives. Martha welcomes Jesus into her home, showing hospitality and kindness. This moment highlights the importance of being open and welcoming to others, especially to those who bring a message of hope and love. Martha's actions set the stage for a deeper interaction with Jesus, which will unfold in the following verses. The act of receiving Jesus into her home symbolizes the acceptance of his teachings and presence in one's life. This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of hospitality in our relationships and the importance of being receptive to spiritual teachings. It also sets the tone for the contrasting priorities that will be explored later in the chapter, particularly between Martha's busyness and her sister Mary's focus on Jesus' words.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 10:38 to your life
We can learn from Martha's example of hospitality by being open and welcoming to others in our lives. This can mean inviting friends or family into our homes or being receptive to new ideas and teachings. Embracing a spirit of hospitality can strengthen our relationships and deepen our understanding of faith.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 10:38 mean?
Luke 10:38 describes Jesus arriving at a village and being welcomed into the home of a woman named Martha. This verse emphasizes the importance of hospitality and openness to Jesus and his teachings.
What is the significance of Martha in Luke 10:38?
Martha's role in Luke 10:38 highlights the act of welcoming Jesus into her home, symbolizing acceptance of his message. Her hospitality sets the stage for deeper interactions with Jesus that follow.
How does Luke 10:38 relate to hospitality?
Luke 10:38 illustrates the theme of hospitality through Martha's actions as she welcomes Jesus. It serves as a reminder of the importance of being open and kind to others, especially those who bring hope.
What themes are present in Luke 10:38?
Key themes in Luke 10:38 include hospitality, welcoming Jesus, discipleship, community, and the significance of spiritual presence in our lives.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
Unlock the full Luke summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.