“But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?”
My Notes
What Does Matthew 12:48 Mean?
"But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?" When told that His mother and brothers are outside waiting to speak with Him, Jesus asks a question that REDEFINES family: who IS my mother? Who ARE my brothers? The question isn't a rejection of His biological family. It's a REDEFINITION of the family concept. The biological relationship isn't cancelled. The spiritual relationship is elevated above it.
The phrase "who is my mother?" (tis estin hē mētēr mou — who is My mother?) asks the identity question at the deepest level: Jesus isn't confused about His mother's identity. He's challenging the DEFINITION of 'mother.' The question forces the listeners to reconsider what creates the deepest relationship — biology or obedience? Blood or discipleship? The question opens the door to verse 50's answer.
The question precedes the NEW DEFINITION (verse 50): 'whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.' The biological family isn't rejected. The SPIRITUAL family is defined — and the qualification for membership is OBEDIENCE to the Father's will, not biological connection to Jesus. The family of God is constituted by doing, not by blood.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Do you belong to Jesus' family based on doing the Father's will — or on assumed belonging?
- 2.What does Jesus redefining family teach about spiritual kinship transcending biological connection?
- 3.How does 'whosoever' — no restrictions — make the family universal?
- 4.What relationship in your life needs the redefinition that Jesus offers — from blood-based to obedience-based?
Devotional
Who IS My mother? Who ARE My brothers? Jesus doesn't reject His family. He REDEFINES family. The biological relationship isn't cancelled. The spiritual relationship is elevated. The question opens the door to a new definition: family is constituted by obedience to the Father, not by bloodline.
The 'who is my mother' question SHOCKS because mothers are sacred: in Jewish culture, the mother-relationship was the most honored, most respected, most inviolable bond. To question it — even rhetorically — was radical. Jesus isn't disrespecting Mary. He's establishing that something DEEPER than biological motherhood exists: spiritual kinship through obedience to God. The deeper bond doesn't replace the biological. It transcends it.
The question forces a REDEFINITION of belonging: if 'mother' and 'brothers' aren't defined solely by DNA, then ANYONE can belong to Jesus' family. The qualification shifts from biology to behavior — from who your parents were to what you DO with the Father's will. The door that was closed by bloodline is opened by discipleship. The family that was limited by genetics is expanded by obedience.
The answer (verse 50) makes the family UNIVERSAL: 'whosoever shall do the will of my Father.' WHOSOEVER — no ethnic restriction, no family-tree requirement, no biological prerequisite. If you do the Father's will, you're Jesus' brother, sister, mother. The family is constituted by one thing: obedience. The inclusion criterion is action, not ancestry.
Do you belong to Jesus' family — and is your membership based on doing the Father's will or on assumed belonging?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
See also Mar 3:31-35; Luk 8:19-21. His brethren - There has been some difference of opinion about the persons who are…
Many excellent, useful sayings came from the mouth of our Lord Jesus upon particular occasions; even his digressions…
Jesus is sought by His Mother and Brethren. The true Mother and Brethren of Jesus
Mar 3:31-35; Luk 8:19-21
The account…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture