The name Martha is an anclicized form of the Greek name Μάρθα (Martha), which itself was a Hellenized form of the Aramaic מַרְתָּא (Martaʾ). The Aramaic name מַרְתָּא (Martaʾ) is a feminine form of the Aramaic noun מר (mar) meaning "master" or "lord"—a term of nobility and respect. Thus, Martha likely means something like "The Lady" in the noble sense (e.g., The Lady Jane Doe). John 11:5 states that, "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus," and was personally close to this family.