The personal name Martha, derived from Aramaic marta meaning 'lady' or 'mistress.' She is the sister of Mary and Lazarus, residing in Bethany near Jerusalem. Luke 10:38-42 introduces her as the one 'distracted with much serving' while her sister sat at Jesus' feet — a scene that has become iconic for the tension between active service and contemplative devotion. In John 11, Martha emerges as a woman of profound faith: she goes out to meet Jesus after Lazarus' death and confesses, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God' (John 11:27), one of the most significant christological declarations in the Fourth Gospel. All translations simply transliterate the name.