Lexical Summary perispaó: To be distracted, to be pulled away, to be over-occupied Original Word: περισπάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance distractFrom peri and spao; to drag all around, i.e. (figuratively) to distract (with care) -- cumber. see GREEK peri see GREEK spao NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and spaó Definition to draw away NASB Translation distracted (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4049: περισπάωπερισπάω, περίσπω: imperfect passive 3 person singular περιεσπᾶτο; from Xenophon down; to draw around (περί, III. 1), to draw away, distract; passive metaphorically, to be driven about mentally, to be distracted: περί τί, i. e. to be over-occupied, too busy, about a thing, Luke 10:40 (A. V. cumbered); in the same sense with τῇ διάνοια added, Polybius 3, 105, 1; 4, 10, 3; Diodorus 1, 74; περισπαν τόν ἀργόν δῆμον περί τάς ἔξω στρατείας, Dionysius Halicarnassus, Antiquities 9, 43; passive, to be distracted with cares, to be troubled, distressed (cf. Winer's Grammar, 23), for עָנָה, Ecclesiastes 1:13; Ecclesiastes 3:10. Topical Lexicon Core Idea of perispáō (Strong’s 4049) The verb portrays a person being pulled or dragged about on every side, resulting in inner agitation and loss of focus. Rather than conveying simple busyness, it depicts an absorbing preoccupation that diverts attention from what matters most. Biblical Setting: Luke 10:38-42 The lone New Testament occurrence appears in the account of Jesus’ visit to Martha and Mary in Bethany. “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made, and she came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!’ ” (Luke 10:40). Her distraction (periespato) is contrasted with Mary, who “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His word” (Luke 10:39). Jesus’ gentle rebuke—“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:41-42)—highlights the peril of ministry activity eclipsing personal communion with Christ. Ancient Near Eastern Hospitality Hospitality was both a social obligation and an honor in first-century Judea. Hosting a respected teacher demanded elaborate preparation. Martha’s cultural instincts were therefore commendable, yet even legitimate duties became spiritually counterproductive when they seized her heart. Theological Implications: Service and Devotion 1. Priority of the Word. Hearing the Lord precedes serving the Lord. Devotion fuels service, never the reverse. Patristic Reflections • Augustine saw Martha and Mary as figures of the active and contemplative life, concluding that contemplation is the end to which action must always be ordered. Related Scriptural Themes • Undivided devotion: “so that your undivided devotion to the Lord may be secure” (1 Corinthians 7:35, cognate 563 without the prefix). Pastoral and Discipleship Application • Evaluate Motives. Ask whether tasks serve love for Christ or simply maintain religious momentum. Implications for Worship and Ministry Congregational life can mirror Martha’s kitchen: programs multiplied until adoration is crowded out. The pattern of perispáō admonishes planners to center corporate gatherings on the presence and voice of Christ, ensuring that activity illuminates, not obscures, the “one thing necessary.” Practical Counsel for Modern Believers 1. Schedule silence before screens and schedules take over. Conclusion perispáō warns that even commendable service can fragment the soul. Luke records it once, but its lesson resonates across every age: cling to the singular necessity of fellowship with Christ, allowing service to flow from that centered place. Forms and Transliterations περιέσπασεν περιεσπατο περιεσπάτο περιεσπᾶτο περισπά περισπάσθαι περισπόρια periespato periespâtoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 10:40 V-IIM/P-3SGRK: δὲ Μάρθα περιεσπᾶτο περὶ πολλὴν NAS: But Martha was distracted with all KJV: But Martha was cumbered about much INT: but Martha was distracted about much |
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