At Martha and Mary's house, Martha complains about doing the work.
Luke 10:41 Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luke 10:41 Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things,
Martha, Martha, you might worry and upset yourself about many things.
We can choose to worry about a world of things.
The two verbs here have tricky forms. The first one, "are careful/are worried is in the active voice. So "are careful" is correct, if misleading because the verb doesn't mean "careful" as we use the word today, because careful is an adjective. However, "are worried" is wrong, because "worried" is a verb and "are worried" is passible. The right translation is simply "you worry."
The second verb, "troubled/upset," is either in the passive voice (the subject is acted upon) or middle voice (the subject acts on themselves.) So "are upset" is correct as a passive, but, given the context, "upset yourself" seems better. This verb is only used here by Jesus and is very rare in ancient Greek.
We should also note that both verbs could be in the form of possibility as well as statements of fact. Jesus could be saying "You should/might worry and be upset." This makes the line more sympathetic and understanding.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "careful" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as passive but it is active.
Martha, Martha, -- "Martha" is the Greek word for the name, spelled the same but in Greek letter.
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
art - This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.
careful -- (CW) "Careful" is translated from a Greek word that means "to be anxious about," "to care for," and "to meditate upon." Jesus uses it the way we use "worry" in English. "Careful" means something different at least today.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
troubled - The word translated as "troubled" means "to be troubled". It is from a noun that means "the confused noise of a crowded", "tumult", "confusion", "uproar", and "clamour". We might say "upset."
about -The Greek word translated as "about" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to."
many The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size. This could mean "large things" as well as "many."
things - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.
Martha, Martha, -- "Martha" is the Greek word for the name, spelled the same but in Greek letter.
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
are -- (WV) This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. The verb here is translated as passive but it is active.
worried -- "Worried" is translated from a Greek word that means "to be anxious about," "to care for," and "to meditate upon." Jesus uses it the way we use "worry" in English.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
upset - The word translated as "upset " means "to be troubled". It is from a noun that means "the confused noise of a crowded", "tumult", "confusion", "uproar", and "clamour". ""Upset" is the idea.
about -The Greek word translated as "about" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to."
many The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size. This could mean "large things" as well as "many."
things - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.
Μάρθα [1verse] (Hebrew Name) "Martha" is from Martha, the proper name. -- "Martha" is the Greek word for the name, spelled the same but in Greek letter.
μεριμνᾷς [6 verses](verb 2nd sg pres ind/subj act) "Thou are careful" is merimnao , which means to "be anxious about,""care for," "meditate upon," "to be cumbered with many cares," and "to be treated with anxious care [passive]." There is an alternate spelling of this word listed separately, merimanao.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as." -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
θορυβάζῃ [1verse] (verb 2nd sg pres ind/subj mp) "Troubled" is from thorybazo, which means "to be troubled". From thorybos, (θόρυβος), which means "the confused noise of a crowded", "tumult", "confusion", "uproar", and "clamour".
περὶ [73 verses](prep) "About" is peri, which means "round about (Place)," "around," "about," "concerning," "on account of," "in regard to," "before," "above," "beyond," and "all around." With the genitive, "round about" of place, "for" or "about" something," with verbs of knowing, "about" and "concerning," "before or "beyond," of superiority With the dative, "round about" of clothes, "around" in holding, "for" or "about" a struggle, "on account of" and "by reason of" a cause. With the accusative, "around" in movement, caring and generally of relationships "about," "about" of time. As an adverb "around," "about," also, "near, by," and "exceedingly" in relationships.
πολλά, [61 verses] (adj pl neut acc) "Many things" is polys, which means "many (in number)," "great (in size or power or worth)," and "large (of space)." As an adverb, it means "far," "very much," "a great way," and "long." --