Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

Luke 10:42

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- 42 A few things, though, are needed, or just one. For her part, Mary chose the good portion,*+ and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:42

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
- 42 ὀλίγων of few (things) δέ but ἐστιν is χρεία need ἢ or ἑνός· of one; Μαριὰμ Mary γὰρ for τὴν the ἀγαθὴν good μερίδα part ἐξελέξατο chose ἥτις which οὐκ not ἀφαιρεθήσεται will be lifted up from αὐτῆς. her.

Luke 10:42

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
- 42 A few things,+ though, are needed, or just one.* For her part, Mary chose the good portion,+ and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:42

The Bible in Living English
- 42 * but what is wanted is only a few, or one. For Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:42

American Standard Version
- 42 but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:42

The Emphasized Bible
- 42 Of few things is there need, or of one; Mary in fact hath chosen the good part,—one which shall not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:42

King James Version
- 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Luke Study Notes—Chapter 10

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
- 10:42
  
  A few things, though, are needed, or just one: Some ancient manuscripts have a shorter reading that can be rendered: “One thing, though, is necessary.” This reading is reflected in some Bible translations. But the wording used here in the main text has good manuscript support. Whichever manuscript reading is preferred, the overall meaning of Jesus’ advice remains the same, namely, to put spiritual things first. Jesus then commends Mary for choosing “the good portion” by giving priority to spiritual things.
  
  the good portion: Or “the best portion.” In the Septuagint, the Greek word me·risʹ, here rendered “portion,” is used for a portion, or a share, of food (Ge 43:34; De 18:8) and also for a “portion” in a spiritual sense (Ps 16:5; 119:57). In Mary’s case, “the good portion” included the receiving of spiritual nourishment from God’s Son.