Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 10:40

"But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me." — Luke 10:40 (ASV)

Martha was cumbered about much serving. She was very distracted with the cares of the family and providing suitably to entertain the Savior. It should be said here that there is no evidence that Martha had a worldly or covetous disposition. Her anxiety was to provide suitable entertainment for the Lord Jesus. As mistress of the family, this care properly fell to her; and the only fault that can be charged against her was too earnest a desire to provide such entertainment when she could have sat with Mary at His feet, and perhaps, too much haste and fretfulness in speaking to Jesus about Mary.

Dost thou not care... This was an improper reproof of our Lord, as if He encouraged Mary in neglecting her duty. Or perhaps Martha supposed that Mary was sitting there to show Him the proper expressions of courtesy and kindness, and that Mary would not think it proper to leave Him without His direction and permission. She therefore hinted to Jesus her busy tasks, her need for her sister's help, and requested that He would indicate His wish that Mary should assist her.