Note 1 at Lu 10:38: There are only three instances in Scripture that give us information about Martha ([1] this instance, [2] Joh 11:1-39, and [3] Joh 12:2). From these accounts, we can see that Martha had a brother named Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, and a sister named Mary (see note 2 at Lu 10:39). Martha had misplaced her priorities in this instance (see note 3 at Lu 10:42) and was corrected by Jesus. Later, at a supper for Jesus in the home of Simon the leper (Mt 26:6 with Joh 12:2), Martha was once again serving while Mary was worshiping Jesus by anointing His feet with a costly perfume.

Martha was the first one to run and meet Jesus when He came to their home after the death of Lazarus. It was at that time that Martha said she knew Jesus could have prevented Lazarus from dying and that, even then, she knew He could raise him from the dead (Joh 11:21-22). She made a confession of faith in the deity of Jesus (Joh 11:27) every bit as strong as Peter's, which received a blessing from Jesus (Mt 16:16-17).

We see Martha faltered in her faith that Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead (Joh 11:39), and then she apparently recovered with Jesus' encouragement. Because of the wording here in this verse (i.e., "her house"), it is probable that Martha was the eldest of the three. Joh 11:5 states that Jesus loved Martha and her brother and sister, and this statement is after the events recorded in this instance. This shows that Jesus corrected--not rebuked--Martha.