‘Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him. But Mary still sat in the house.'
The mentions we have of the pair are totally consistent. Martha, active, busy and practical, Mary, dreamy, quiet and contemplative (compare Luke 10:38-41). Here the mention of Jesus caused Martha to spring into action. She went to meet Him. She wanted Him to do something. Mary awaited Him quietly, probably more accepting of the situation.