Only here in New Testament. The Rev. might better have inserted in the text the marginal rendering, woe distracted. The verb means, literally, to draw from around (πεÏιÌ). Martha's attention, instead of centring round Jesus, was drawn hither and thither. The πεÏιÌ, around, in composition with the verb, is followed immediately by another πεÏιÌ, “about much serving.â€
Came to him (ἐπιστᾶσα)
Came up to him, as Rev., suddenly stopping in her hurry.
Hath left (κατεÌλιπεν)
The aorist, as Rev., did leave, indicating that she had been assisting before she was drawn off by Jesus' presence. Some read κατεÌλειπεν the imperfect, was leaving.
Help (συναντιλαÌβηται)
The verb consists of three elements: λαμβαÌνω, to take hold; συÌν, together with; ἀντι, reciprocally - doing her part as Martha does hers. It might be paraphrased, therefore, take hold and do her part along with me. It occurs only here and Rom 8:26, of the Spirit helping our infirmities, where all the elements of the verb are strikingly exemplified.