Comments on: What was the “Good Portion” that Mary Chose?

By: Sara Kifleyesus

Sara Kifleyesus — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:30:12 +0000

Thanks for the insight i have been meditating this verse for a while and will be teaching it on Sunday in church the best portion is sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to his word it stays with you forever no one can take that away and i did further meditation and remembered that when their brother Lazarus passed away Martha was doubting Jesus and Mary didn’t it shows that Martha doubted Jesus coz she didn’t take time to know him like Mary so its beautiful it shows that we have to have deeper relationship with Jesus.

By: Carla Gade

Carla Gade — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:47:14 +0000

I loved reading about this, Lois. Due to my health issues I have a great deal of time to study God’s Word. It is such a blessing and I sometimes take that for granted. Thanks for giving me fresh perspective and appreciation for the
good portion I am blessed with.

By: Steve K

Steve K — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:37:54 +0000

Thank you so much Lois for the article. To learn new insights and new Hebrew words is really a great help to understand the scriptures. Please continue to send me fresh articles.

God bless
Steve

By: Clif Payne

Clif Payne — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 03:18:38 +0000

Great observation. Your commentary makes this pericope more meaningful.

By: Lois Tverberg

Lois Tverberg — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:33:16 +0000

In reply to Nancy Dawson.

Hi Nancy – That’s a great thought about the Levites – and yes the Lord is their “portion” rather than a land inheritance like the rest. We would expect the Levites to be the teachers of the Scriptures because of this. I know that Levites had special roles in the synagogue in the towns they lived in the first century, and they still do, even up until today.

But all Jews who come to synagogues prayed the prayers I quoted, not just the Levites. The tradition of laypeople studying and teaching in the synagogue that developed in Babylon caused many non-Levites to study and teach the Scriptures too, including Jesus. There were a few rabbis from Levitical families but most were not.

We find the word helek (portion) in other significant places too. It was also said that God’s portion was his people – Deut. 32:9, Zech 2:12, and several Psalms talk about God as the psalmist’s “portion”: Ps. 16:5, 73:26, 119:57, 142:5. So the idea of God as one’s “portion” is wider than just the Levites and their relationship with God and Scripture.

But you’re right that studying Scripture would be associated with having the Lord as one’s portion in life. Interesting.

By: Lois Tverberg

Lois Tverberg — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:00:54 +0000

In reply to JOHNS.

Dear John, That’s a very interesting point that the Levites inherited no land, and the Lord himself was their “portion.” We would expect the Levites to be the teachers of the Scriptures to the rest of Israel since they didn’t farm land to support themselves but drew their support from the Temple.

It seems that by the New Testament era, many others who were not from the family of Levi also became teachers of Scripture, and they thanked God for their “portion” in the Scriptures too.

By: Dennis Howard

Dennis Howard — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:06:58 +0000

Lois, this was an exceptional posting from you! Thank you!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:32:06 +0000

In reply to Lois Tverberg.

My church also preached on this passage this weekend and the Good Samaritan the week before. No one tied the jealousy Martha had back to Cain and Able. But the pastor did mention that Jesus wasn’t critiquing Martha’s eager acts of service, necessarily. It was that he didn’t want Martha to be jealous of the good portion that Mary chose.
(Would Mary have been as free to choose that good portion if it wasn’t for Martha’s hard work?)

Our pastor mentioned that Luke had just been telling the story of the good Samaritan in the previous verses- so obviously, working to serve others in need isn’t a bad thing. And no one said it was. But, it seems, a common misconception is to pit Martha’s actions and Mary’s contemplation at odds with one another.

I do think, in context with the Good Samaritan, Martha’s hard and lonely work which led to her covetous attitude towards her sister is something that Jesus didn’t want for Martha. I believe he wants us to be happy to prepare moments for others to enjoy the “good portion”. And for us also to participate in the “good portion” ourselves. We are the body of Christ, and we need to make sure everyone gets an opportunity to take part in the “good portion”.

Meanwhile – thankful for your study on the literal meaning of the “good portion”.
Totally different focus than we had this week. But that’s what makes Bible study so profound 🙂
Thank you!

By: Nancy Dawson

Nancy Dawson — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:48:04 +0000

Thank you Lois for the Jewish insights into this passage. I remember in studying OT and doing work on genealogies that the root idea behind “You are my Portion” referred to the Levitical priesthood who did not obtain an inheritance of land in the Promised Land, but rather their privileged ‘portion’ was service to God at the Tabernacle and Temple: Numbers 18:20 “Then the LORD said to Aaron: ‘You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.'” I think Mary was including herself in this called-out, separated group, focused on studying Torah and participating in full-time service to the Lord, her Rabbi.

By: Kimberly Jean Smith

Kimberly Jean Smith — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:40:50 +0000

In reply to Lois Tverberg. Amen Lois!

By: Edith Sher

Edith Sher — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 10:51:19 +0000

Thank you for these beautiful insights.

By: Heather Hanson

Heather Hanson — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 04:33:20 +0000

Lois, Thank You! I needed to read this. I’ve been struggling to reignite my study of God’s Word after baby #2, but you’ve reminded me it’s the best choice I can make!