The New Perspective on Mary and Martha: Do Not Preach Mary and Martha Again Until You Read This!

by Mary Stromer Hanson

The New Perspective on Mary and Martha gives Mary and Martha a total makeover. No longer is this familiar passage about prioritizing spiritual pursuits over the tyranny of the practical. The results of a close reading of the text and careful exegesis of the Greek has Martha escaping the kitchen and Mary is not even in the house! Martha is still overly worried, not about housework, but over the much more understandable concern about her (younger) sister. Mary, who is out of the village, follows her call, ministering on the road with Jesus. Luke 10:38-42 is about discipleship, ministry, trust, and the new family of Jesus.

154 pages, Paperback

First published July 24, 2013

Reviews

[John Pate · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. I found her argument for a northern location for the Luke 10 event helpful, as well as the less-domestic nature of the sisters' disagreement. Based on her observations of the text, it seems unlikely that Martha was concerned about Mary's unwillingness to help with meal preparation. Rather, Hanson argues that Martha was likely struggling with worry brought on by the changes Jesus had introduced to her family dynamic.

Hanson's portrayal of Mary's leadership roles in the discipleship community seemed more speculative and less compelling, especially when compared to the apostles' later prescriptions for life in the church.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a person named Martha, I am always on the lookout for books which portray the biblical Martha in a positive light. This new perspective on Mary and Martha certainly offers a broader application of the sisters, showcasing their faith and various ministries since both were disciples of Jesus. However, the author made several assumptions along the way and so I am hessitant to give a hearty approval of the new perspective. With that being said, I still think everyone would benefit from reading the book and learning to engage with the sisters in a new way.

[Lynda Calder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings a whole new light to the famous Mary and Martha of Bethany (or perhaps another town). The exegesis of the original Greek and the detailed narrative analysis exposes lots of new insights that have gone unnoticed for nearly 2000 years. I hesitate to say that perhaps the text, translated by men, actually had certain prejudices and/or assumptions added to them to remove a greater meaning (not intentionally, I add). But when you reach the end of Hanson's book (the result of a thesis) you can only be convinced that both Mary and Martha are significant leaders in the early Christian church and both learnt at Jesus' feet and participated in Christian mission - one in her home location and the other further afield (respectively).

I always suspected there was more to the story of these women and their brother, Lazarus. Why would Jesus weep at Lazarus's death? But this just blew me away. I can't read the Bible the same anymore.