Matthew 12 · a question people ask
Was Jesus turning his mother and brothers away (12:46-50)?
Here is what Matthew tells. "While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him" (12:46). "One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.”" (12:47). "But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”" (12:48). "He stretched out his hand toward his disciples" (12:49), and said, "Behold, my mother and my brothers!" (12:49), and "For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother" (12:50). Matthew doesn't say what they wanted to speak to him about, whether Jesus went out to them, or what happened next between them. Mark (Mark 3:31-35) and Luke (Luke 8:19-21) tell it in their own words. These notes say no more about his mother and his brothers than the verses do.
The verses
“While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.” But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” He stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.””
“His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him. A multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, “Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside looking for you.” He answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and mother.””
“His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd. Some people told him, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.””