An Excerpt from Rabbi Jesus
by Stephen D. Jones

By looking at one text, we learn a great deal about Rabbi Jesus in the context of the first-century rabbinical climate. “A woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying” (Luke 10:38-39). this tells us Jesus was a first-century itinerant rabbi. One of the old Jewish sayings long predating Jesus was, “Let your house be a meetinghouse for the sages. Sit amidst the dust of their feet” (Aboth 1:4). We see this reenacted in Martha’s home.

If extended hospitality, Jesus entered a home, willing to teach all who were interested. This typical of the origin or the expression, “to sit at the feet of a great teacher.” It is interesting that this story of Mary and Jesus is the best example we have in the New Testament of someone sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teaching. And from the context, Mary was as audience of one. For women to listen in while a rabbi taught the men of a crowd was likely not that unusual. But for a Jewish rabbi to allow a woman to sit at his feet, as his entire audience, was a shocking and even degrading visual symbol.

And then Martha, the head of the household, entered the scene, “distracted by her many tasks,” likely the tasks of extending hospitality to an honored teacher, So she went to Jesus and asked, “Do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.”

Perhaps Martha really did have a lot of chores to do. But I prefer to think she was embarrassed that Mary did not realize a woman’s place. The story might have made more sense if Martha had entered the room and asked to have a word in private with Mary. In whispered tone, the older sister could have reminded her, “Come, Mary, you know that the place of a woman is not at the feet of a rabbi. It’s not becoming of you, and you are insulting him. You are tiring him for the more important work he has be about. He came here to rest. He came here asking for our hospitality. Do not take advantage of him. Come to the kitchen with me.”

Perhaps Martha knew her sister well enough to know that if she had asked to speak to her in private, it would have done little good. The Rabbi’s words had already filled Mary’s head, and she would not easily miss this rare opportunity to have Rabbi Jesus to herself. But maybe Martha brought up her concern in front of Jesus to show her respect for him and his need for rest. Yet Jesus defended Mary. “Martha, there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Had this rabbi gone mad? Mary had chosen the better part? Woman as learner? Woman sitting alone at the feet of a rabbi? Woman as disciple of a rabbi? In relation to other rabbis, Jesus surely charted his own course in relation to women and others customarily excluded from full participation in the community of faith. He was a different sort of rabbi.

Stephen Jones is the author of "Rabbi Jesus." To order, go to the online bookpage or call 1-800-747-3016.

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