10:41–42

This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that several translations (English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised Standard Version) translate as “but.” They do this in order to show that in these verses, the Lord Jesus responded to Martha in a way that Martha did not expect. For example:

But the Lord answered her (Revised Standard Version)

The Berean Standard Bible and many other translations do not translate this conjunction. Introduce this unexpected answer in a natural way in your language.

10:41

Martha, Martha: Jesus spoke Martha’s name twice in order to show affection or concern for her. Even though he was correcting her, he was speaking gently to her. He was not harshly rebuking her. If a literal translation would not convey this meaning in your language, it may be necessary to express the affection or gentleness in a different way. For example:

My dear Martha (New Living Translation (2004))

Be sure that the expression you use does not express any kind of sexual interest or inappropriate affection.

In some languages it may not be natural for Jesus to address Martha by name here. If that is true in your language, you may need to express the concern or gentleness in another way. For example:

⌊I am concerned about you.⌋

the Lord replied:
The Berean Standard Bible has placed the Lord replied in the middle of what Jesus said. In the Greek text, these words are at the beginning of the verse. Place them wherever it is natural in your language. You should continue to refer to the Lord here in a clear and natural way in your language.

worried and upset: In this context the two Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worried and upset have almost the same meaning. Together they are more emphatic than either word used alone. If it is not natural in your language to use two slightly different descriptions in this way, you may use one word or expression. Consider how to make this expression more emphatic in your language. For example:

…you are so upset over all these details! (New Living Translation (1996))

In some languages you may have an idiom to express this.

worried: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worried means “anxious” or “concerned.”

upset: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as upset means “troubled” or “bothered.”

about many things: The phrase many things probably refers here to the various things that Martha was doing to prepare a special meal for the guests.

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