Jesus Says Who Is My Mother

Matthew 12:48 But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?”

New International Version (New International Version) “Can you tell me who my mother is, and who my brothers are?” he asked him. New Living Translation (New Living Translation) “Who do you think is my mother?” Jesus inquired. “Can you tell me who my brothers are?” Version standardized in English Nevertheless, he responded to the guy who inquired about his mother and brothers by asking, “Who is my mother?” and “Who are my brothers?” Berean Study Bible (also known as the Berean Study Bible) “However, who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” Jesus asked in response.

New The King James Version (KJV) is a translation of the King James Bible.

When the person who was telling Him about Jesus asked who His mother and brothers were, Jesus responded, “Who are My mother and brothers?” NASB (National Association of School Boards) 1995 The one who was telling Jesus, however, received an unexpected response from Jesus: “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” NASB 1977 (National Association of School Boards) Nevertheless, He responded to the one who was informing Him by asking, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” The Bible with an amplification system “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” Jesus responded to the person who asked, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” The Christian Standard Bible is a translation of the Bible in the Christian tradition.

“Can you tell me who my mother is and who my brothers are?” he asked the person who was chatting with him.

1. But he responded by asking, “Who is my mother?” and “Who are my brethren?” to the one who had informed him.
2. The Bible of Douay-Rheims However, in response to the one who had informed him, he asked: “Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?” Translation of the Good News “Who is my mother?” Jesus inquired in response.
3. Standard Version in its literal sense Then He responded by asking, “Who is My mother?” to the person who had spoken to Him.
4. The New American Bible is a translation of the New Testament into English.
5. “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Jesus inquired of the person who had made this statement.
6. The New Heart English Bible is a translation of the New Heart Bible.

“Can you tell me who my brothers are?” Weymouth The New Testament is a collection of writings that were written during the years of ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad “Can you tell me who my mum is?” “And who are my brothers?” he inquired of the gentleman.

• “Can you tell me who my brothers are?” Young’s Literal Translation of the Text And he responded by asking, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?’ to the one who had spoken to him.
• Context The Mother and Brothers of Jesus.
• 48 However, Jesus said, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” 49 With a gesture toward His disciples, He added, “Here are My mother and My brothers.
• Matthew 12:49 (KJV) “Look, here’s My mother and my brothers,” He added, gesticulating toward His disciples.
• But he responded by asking, “Who is my mother?” to the person who had asked him.
• Who is he?
• Deuteronomy 33:9 (Deuteronomy 33:9) “I have not seen him,” his father and mother exclaimed.

“They have obeyed thy word and maintained thy vow.” Mark 3:32 and 33 Because of this, the crowd gathered around him, and they announced to him that his mother and his brothers were looking for him from the outside.

Who are these individuals who are such in the real meaning of the word?

Commentaries that run in parallel.

A fundamental verb, which means to talk or utter anything.

It is most likely emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, such as who, which, or what; and a question mark.

The personal pronoun myo(mou) is a possessive pronoun that is used in the genitive case.

a first-person main pronoun that indicates the first person I.mother,μήτηρ(mētēr) Strong’s 3384: A mother is a noun in the nominative feminine singular.

andκαὶ(kai) ConjunctionStrong’s 2532 is as follows: And, in addition, specifically.

It is most likely emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, such as who, which, or what; and a question mark.

are(eisin)Verb – Present Indicative Active – Third Person PluralStrong’s 1510:I am, exist.

I, the first-person pronoun, is Strong’s 1473:I, the personal / possessive pronoun – Genitive 1st Person Singular.

”ἀδελφοί(adelphoi) Noun – Nominative grammatical form Masculine Plural Strong’s 80th percentile: The term “brother” refers to a member of the same religious group, particularly a Christian.

Return to the previous page JesusMotherNewsTelling Continue to Next Page JesusMotherNewsTellingLinks Matthew 12:48 New International Version Matthew 12:48 New International Version Matthew 12:48 (New International Version) Matthew 12:48 New American Standard Bible Matthew 12:48 King James Version Matthew 12:48 (KJV) BibleApps.com Biblia Paralela (Matthew 12:48) Matthew 12:48 (KJV) The Chinese version of the Bible French translation of Matthew 12:48.

Matthew 12:48, according to the Catholic Bible Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew 12:48 (KJV) However, he responded to the person who spoke (Matt. Mat Mt)

Mark 3:31–35; Matthew 12:46–50; Luke 8:19–21

31q And his mother and brothers arrived, and while waiting outside, they sent him a message and summoned him. 32 “Your mother and your brothers Other manuscripts addand your sisters” href=” f1-“>1 are outside, looking for you,” they told him as a mob gathered around him. 33 Andheansweredthem,“Whoaremymotherandmybrothers?” 34 “Here are my mother and my brothers!” he said as he looked around at those seated around him. 35t For whomever does the will of God, he is my brother, sister, and mother,” says the author.

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

46 Meanwhile, he was still speaking to the crowd, he noticed his mother and his siblings (or sisters); and see also verses 48 and 49 “A href=” f1-“>Anchor text: 1stoodoutside,askingtospeaktohim. Some copies include verse 47, which reads: “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, waiting to talk with you,” someone informed him.” href=” f2- “> The following is an example of a formalized formalized formalized 248 Butherepliedtothemanwhotoldhim,“Whoismymother,andwhoaremybrothers?” 49 Andstretchingouthishandtowardhisdisciples,hesaid,“Herearemymotherandmybrothers!50 “Whoever performs the will of my Father in Heavenis is my brother, sister, and mother,” says my father.

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

Then there’s his mother and his brothers, or brothers and sisters, and so on. ” href=” f1-“>1 came to him, but they couldn’t get close to him because of the crowd. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek wordadelphoi (translated “brothers”) can refer to either brothers or brothers and sisters; also, verses 20, 21 ” href=” f1-“>1 came to him, but they couldn’t get close to him because of the crowd 20 And he was informed, “Your mother and your brothers are waiting outside, eager to meet you.” 20 21 But he said, “My mother and my brothers are the ones who hear the word of God and execute it.”

Mark 3: “Who are my Mother and my Brothers?”

“And his mother and brothers arrived, and while waiting outside, they gave him messages and addressed him by name. And there was a large group of people gathered around him, and they told him that his mother and brothers were waiting outside for him. ‘Can you tell me about my mother and brothers?’ And when he turned to see the people seated around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers!’ Since God’s will is done, whomever performs it is considered to be my brother, sister, and mother.” (Matthew 3:31–34) So, what exactly does it mean to “do the will of God,” and what did Jesus mean when He claimed that those who did so were his “mother and brothers”?

• Background- After completing the appointment of His twelve apostles, Jesus returned “home” (v.20), most likely to the Galilee region, most likely to the town of Capernaum on the north bank of the lake.
• They came to take him away, claiming he had lost his mind.
• Perhaps they were attempting to “rescue” Jesus from the throngs, or perhaps they were embarrassed by the public spectacle He was putting on and wished to put an end to it.
• It was at this point that Jesus glanced around at everyone present and made the astounding declaration, “Here are My Mother and My Brothers!
• – Asked what He meant by “whoever performs the will of God,” Jesus replied that He meant “whoever accomplishes the will of God.” Was Jesus implying that whomever carries out an act that is in God’s will is my mother or my brother?
• The answer is most likely no, since according to that viewpoint, the activities of His family were equally within the sovereign will of God, and there would be no justification for the distinction that Jesus made.
• Did He imply that everybody who performs God’s will on a general basis, or possibly anyone who wishes to do God’s will and strives with all their strength and soul to do so, is considered to be my mother and my brothers?

He was clearly referring to something, but what?

Taking this stance would take us well outside the context of the paragraph in issue, and it would be quite difficult to defend this reading with any persuasive evidence to the contrary.

While this would be contrary to the context of the chapter, it would also imply that people He was referring to here (including maybe the unbelieving scribes) were sinners (lawbreakers) whom He had come to save, which would be ludicrous.

If we interpret the term “those who sat around Him” to signify His twelve chosen disciples, this interpretation becomes more probable; yet, there does not appear to be any substantial justification for reading the twelve and only the twelve into the text.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be converted by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect,” says the Bible, for example.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (New International Version) “For it is the desire of God that, by doing what is right, you will be able to silence the stupidity of ignorant men,” says the prophet.

John 2:17 (1st John 2:17) Why not look at 1st Thessalonians 5:12-22?

Remember to be joyful at all times, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances, because this is God’s wish for you in Christ Jesus.” For another perspective, we might turn to the book of Matthew 21:28-32 and observe that in the parable Jesus told there (the Parable of the Two Sons), doing the will of God meant changing one’s mind (which is the essence of repentance) from a disobedient to an obedient mindset, followed by action based on that change.

Examining such verses would undoubtedly be a fruitful study in God’s word to undertake.

Keep in mind, as well, that the passage in Mark 3:31-34 describes an event that occurred early in Jesus’ ministry, before He was ever crucified and before His resurrection, whereas all of the passages quoted and referenced above described events that occurred after the establishment of the New Covenant of redemption in Jesus’ blood.

In any case, Jesus’ blood relations, the exact people Jesus referred to as His “mother and brothers,” were adamant that He not address or remain with the throngs of people who had gathered to hear Him speak.

Jesus, who always does the will of His Father (See for example, John 5:19, 6:38, 8:28-29), rejected the attempt by Mary and His half-brothers to prevent Him from doing the Father’s will, which was to minister to those who wished to hear Him.

This interpretation holds that when Jesus said that the crowd around Him consisted of those who “do the will of God” are truly His mother and brothers, He appears to have meant that His place, in obedience to the Father, was with those who wanted to hear Him, rather than with blood relatives who wanted to prevent Him from doing the Father’s will, as the context suggests.

• To put it another way, Jesus would be rejected by His own people.
• Learning more about Him- There is one further signal that we may easily ignore, and it appears to be consistent with the interpretation provided above.
• “Then they asked him, ‘What must we do in order to be accomplishing the works of God?'” says the passage.
• (See also John 6:28-29) Confess your faith in Christ-the actual Jesus, the one who is portrayed to us in the pages of Scripture.
• We are not talking about a Jesus who is less than God Almighty.
• It is not a Jesus who did not exist at one point in time and space before being resurrected.
• But not a Jesus who was unable to atone for our sins, but the Jesus of the Scriptures instead.

It appears that the masses were primarily interested in getting to know Jesus and learning about Him, rather than in anything else.

They were right to be.

And how would we go about replicating that process today?

Consider taking this train of thought a little farther.

As far as we can tell, such a person was carrying out the will of the Almighty.

Consider the scenario in which this person’s unbelieving parents and siblings intervened and sought to grab the Bible away from their enquiring son or brother in order to “protect” him from what he was learning.

What is the difference between a person and Jesus?

When we do something against God’s will, we are almost always serious about it.

For us, the most clear and obvious application is to go deeper into the Scriptures than ever before.

This is, without a doubt, God’s will.

So, what would make us decide not to be a member of the mob that is “following Jesus,” pressing in on Him, and waiting for His next word?

None of them are especially compelling justifications.

Every one of us is susceptible to feelings of disbelief and skepticism.

The good news is that we do not supply our own faith and belief – it is a gift from God, lest anybody might think that they are able to provide it for themselves (Ephesians 2:7-9).

He has the ability to cure disbelief.

But, if you are able to do anything, please show compassion for us and assist us.’ And Jesus responded to him by saying, “If you can.” Everyone can achieve their goals if they believe in themselves.

But Jesus confronted the unclean spirit, telling it: ‘You dumb and deaf demon, I demand you to get out of him and never again enter him.’ This was revealed to him when he cried out and convulsed uncontrollably.

Jesus grasped him by the hand and raised him up, and he got to his feet. “. (See Mark 9:20-27 for further information.) The comments section for this item has been closed for now.

Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?

Because whomever follows the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, sister, and mother.

Mother and Brothers Visit

During a conversation with a group of His followers, someone informed Jesus that His mother and brothers were waiting outside and requesting to meet with Him (Matt 12:46). Normally, you’d expect the majority of people to excuse themselves and say, “I’ll be right back. ” “My mother want to talk with Me,” Jesus says, but he is not your average Jesus. His mother and brothers, who had come to speak with Him, had approached Him, but instead of pausing and walking outside to speak with them, He twists this query into another question to the guy who had informed Him of this.

1. He poses a rhetorical question.
2. He is speaking about people who trust in Him and, as a result of their faith in Him, they carry out His instructions.
3. It’s possible that after saying this, He stepped outside to speak with them.
4. We can’t infer something from the text that isn’t there.

Related by Obedience

How would Jesus know that you and I are linked to His Father if He were to look at our lives and see that we are not? If we were following His Father, God the Father, on the other side of the world, it would be evident. Obviously, if we were nothing like our heavenly Father at all, and if we did not obey God’s commands, we would not be Jesus’ brothers and sisters, for Jesus declares that those who do God’s will are His mother, brothers, and sisters (Matt 12:50). In other words, there is a familial resemblance, not necessarily because of the way they appear, but because of the family traditions: obeying God the Father’s will.

Who’s Your Father?

If we behave in the manner of God’s children, we will be partaking of the same cup from which Jesus was forced to drink at the Last Supper (Matt 20:22). The only thing we’ll be doing is what God the Father has commanded us to do (Matt 12:50). We’ll be doing things in the same way that Jesus did (Matt 25:40), and just as Jesus did to people who were around Him, He’ll extend out His hand and say, “We are those who are actually His mother and brothers,” and we’ll be the ones who are genuinely His mother and brothers (Matt 12:49).

In the same way that we are linked to God the Father via fulfilling His will, we are also tied to Jesus.

A Closing Prayer

Please, my heavenly Father, show me what You want me to do. It is clear to me that much of Your will is revealed in the Bible (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 13), and if Your written will is disclosed to me, I am certain that I should be performing what You have instructed since it is pleasant to You.

I want to be like Jesus in that I constantly endeavor to do Your will, my Father, and to do it only for Your glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I pray.

Amen

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Why does Jesus ask, “Who are my mother and brothers?” in Matthew 12:48?

QuestionAnswer We discover the identities of Jesus’ mother and brothers from a number of different scriptures. In addition to being the Son of God (see Matthew 16:16), Jesus’ earthly parents were Joseph and Mary (see Luke 1:35). (Matthew 1:16). According to Matthew 13:55, Jesus’ brothers are identified as follows: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (also known as Jude). He also had sisters, but the names of these women are not revealed (Matthew 13:55). Not only was Jesus aware of who His family members were, but so were the people with whom He was conversing in Matthew 12.

• In the circumstances, Jesus had healed a man who had been blind and deaf and had spoken to him (Matthew 12:22).
• (Matthew 12:24).
• Following Jesus’ pronouncement of judgment on that generation (Matthew 12:39–45), He ceased teaching the people in an open and straightforward manner.
• While Jesus was expressing the seriousness of that generation’s failure and culpability, Jesus’ mother and brothers were outside, attempting to find a way to communicate with Him through the crowd (Matthew 12:46).
• Those who had rejected Him had deemed themselves worthy of entering His kingdom because of their acts, which they believed to be virtuous in their estimation of their own value.
• On Matthew 5—7, they were instructed to place their faith in Jesus as their source of righteousness, rather than in themselves or their ancestry.
• This was not the case.

A person’s familial connections were not sufficient to gain entry into the kingdom.

In this question, Jesus questions the notion that familial bonds are sufficient for gaining admittance into the kingdom of God once more.

Jesus responds by pointing to His followers and informing the audience that His disciples were His mother and brothers, respectively (Matthew 12:49).

In other words, the connections that are truly important in the eternal scheme of things are those that are built on a foundation of appropriately connecting to the Creator of the universe.

Instead of underscoring the value of family connections, Jesus emphasizes that having a proper relationship with God via obedience to His will is the most essential thing to be concerned about.

According to Jesus’ explanation to Nicodemus in John 3, God’s will is for everyone to believe in the Son (the wordbelieveoccurs 8 times in John 3).

(John 14:6).

Jesus made his argument clear by asking, “Who are my mother and brothers?” and by responding to His own question with an affirmative. Questions about Matthew (return to top of page) What is the significance of Jesus’ question, “Who are my mother and brothers?” in Matthew 12:48?

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Mark 3:31-35; Matthew 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21 JESUS’ MOTHERS AND BROTHERS

Mark 3:31-35, Matthew 12:46-50, and Luke 8:19-21 are examples of biblical passages. THE MOTHERS AND BROTHER OF JESUS SMary and Jesus’s brothers traveled to the location where Jesus was speaking and informed Him of their presence so that they may become closer to Jesus. This action, together with Mary’s knowledge of Jesus’ identity before He was born, communicated to us that, although knowing who Jesus was, they did not fully comprehend everything there was to know about Him. My understanding of Jesus is far from complete, therefore I will continue to study and re-read about Him until He invites me to His presence.

1. It was he who said, “Who are my mother and brothers, and where did they come from?
2. As long as someone follows God’s will, he or she is my brother, sister, and mother.” “Those who hear the word of God and execute it are my mother and my brothers,” says Jesus in Luke 8:21.
3. Jesus was a person who welcomed everyone.
4. It is my prayer that God will assist me in seeing everyone in the same way that He does, and that He will assist me in taking care of people in my spiritualfamily.
5. I’m depending on Him to help me see clearly.
6. These words of Jesus are the reason that we refer to other Christians as “brothers-in-Christ” or “sisters-in-Christ.” Jesus stated that the ties in our spiritual families are equally as vital as the relationships in our natural family.
7. They are on an equal footing.

God, the Father, who has inherited all of us, is the one who provides us with the relationship of brothers and sisters, as well as other blessings.

We are unable to select and choose our biological family, just as we are unable to pick and choose our spiritual family.

As a Christian, I should appreciate Christ’s choices and endeavor to strengthen those connections, rather than discarding them and looking for something that may be better in my own eyes.

God gave me these people and relationships to cherish, and I am grateful for His provision.

This goes completely against God’s loving way of being, and it greatly bothers me.

God has placed these individuals in my life, and I intend to do everything in my power to love them as Christ loves them.

Spending as much time and energy with my church fellowship as I do with my friends and family makes me wonder whether I’m putting in the same amount of effort.

Put an end to your whining!

We can spend so much time hearing God’s word, studying it, and discussing it that we forget to get out there and accomplish what He commands.

We fall into one of two categories: believers or nonbelievers.

Outsiders are judged by God.

Because if we criticize others, we lose our ability to persuade them, we should always approach non-believers (outsiders) with compassion.

The following hymn is sung at church with everyone holding hands: In Christ, we are brothers and sisters (WordsMusic by Terry Dittmer) Alleluia!

Amen!

Raise your voices in praise of our Lord God, our Savior, and our King, and join in!

In the name of the Son, we have gathered together, raising hearts and hands, rejoicing as friends, and declaring the Lord with all the praises we can muster.

God, in his kindness, would deliver all of his people from death and the tomb.

Chorus:Lord, teach us how to announce all of your kindness, your love, and your name to the entire world!

Teaching us how to forgive and live in love are two of the most important things we can learn from God. By raising our voices in song, we may communicate to the entire world that we are a part of something greater. Chorus:

When Jesus asks, “Who is my mother?” – and when we do, too

Mother’s Day is a day when I normally take time to focus on the countless wonderful attributes that my own mother possesses. My mother is remarkable, no doubt, but I’ve recently met a few broken souls who weren’t so fortunate — those who had mothers who didn’t nurture them, moms who were enmeshed in alcoholism or suffering from mental illness, mothers who were abusive or permitted abuse, mothers who were selfish or simply ambivalent, among other things. And, if we look closely, we may see that Jesus is very much alive in the eyes of these souls who have lost their mothers.

1. Keep the following in mind before responding: I’m talking to Matthew 12:46 in particular.
2. “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” asks Jesus in response to the question.
3. He is implying that a Christian’s genuine family is comprised of individuals “who carry out the desire of the Father.” It’s an interesting concept.
4. “Woman, behold thy son,” Jesus said as he agonized on the cross, indicating his tremendous reverence for his own spotless mother, who he had entrusted to St.
5. Nevertheless, on this particular day, he gave top importance to those who were hanging on his every word.
6. When a young lady called Markie Works was “begging God for death” because of her cocaine addiction, she was introduced to the tough-talking nun by a friend.
7. Markie happened to be watching Mother Angelica’s talk program when she happened to turn the station.

Despite her lowly appearance, the nun listened closely to a caller who had endured a great deal as a result of being abused and rejected by her own mother.

Personally, I think Markie was expecting the nun to recommend a specific prayer or give him a specific Bible reading instruction.

“I’ll take over as your mommy immediately.” Markie burst into tears.

“Can you tell me who my mum is?” Jesus continues to ask us same questions today.

Perhaps, though, it is your own wounded spirit that is filled with desire.

You can also look to some of the wise sisters and saints, such as Mother Angelica, Mary Magdalene, and Blessed Dorothy Day (to name a few of my favorite prayer warriors), and everyone who lives in the eternal reality that doing God’s will, even more than being related by bloodline, is what unites us.

The following is an excerpt from the introduction of Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality, which tells the tale of Markie Works. Doubleday Publishing Group, 2007. Edited by Raymond Arroyo.

13 Bible verses about Christ’s True Family

ToolsMatthew 12:48-50 verse page”>Matthew 12:48-50 verse page The one who was telling Jesus, however, received an unexpected response from Jesus: “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” “Look, here’s my mother and my brothers!” He exclaimed as He extended His hand toward His disciples. In fact, whomever follows the will of My heavenly Father is My brother and sister and mother,” Jesus says. Mark 3:33″>Verse page”>Mark 3:33 “Can you tell me who my mother and brothers are?” he said when they inquired.

• 8:29 (tools) Predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, He also predestined those whom He foreknew to be conformed to His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; Hebrews 2:17 is a verse that can be found on the verse page.
• ToolsMatthew 25:40 verse page”>Matthew 25:40 In response, the King will say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the degree that you did something to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” Using the Verse Page”>Matthew 25:45.
• Mark 3:34″>Verse page”>Mark 3:34 Taking a look around at those who were seated about Him, He said, “Look, here’s my mother and my brothers!
• but that he will receive a hundred times as much now, in this age, in the form of houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, as well as persecutions; and in the age to come, he will receive eternal life.
• The New American Standard Bible is a translation of the New Testament into English.

1960-1962-1963-1968-1971-1972-1973-1975-1977-1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. 1960-1962-1963-1968-1971-1972-1995 by The Lockman Foundation Visit this site for information on obtaining permission to quote.

What does Mark 3:33 mean?

We know Jesus’ mother: Mary. His brothers are James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas—not the traitor, this was a very common name in that culture (Matthew 13:55). (Matthew 13:55). Mary, James, and Judas (also known as Jude), at least, will become dedicated Christ-followers. But at this point, they only care about mitigating the damage Jesus is causing by His very public, very controversial ministry. Jesus is clear that following Him will cause serious divisions within families. In Mark 13:12–13 He says, “And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.

• …” In Matthew 10:35–36 Jesus says, “‘For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
• (Matthew 10:37).
• Many Christians must choose between following Jesus and maintaining peace in their family.
• (Hebrews 4:15).
• But even He has to choose: between taking the path God sets before Him, or doing what His family wants.
• He promises that if we do, He will replace what we have lost (Mark 3:34–35; 10:29–30).

“Who is My Mother?” — Jesus and the “Familial Church”

“And there was a large group of people gathered around him, and they told him that his mother and brothers were waiting outside for him. Asked “Who are my mother and brothers?” he responded, “I don’t know.” (Matthew 3:32-33.) Mark 3:31-35 (KJV) (RSV) And his mother and brothers arrived, and while waiting outside, they gave him messages and addressed him by name. And there was a large group of people gathered around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and brothers are waiting outside for you.” “Can you tell me who my mother and brothers are?” he inquired.

Every person who carries out God’s plan is considered to be my brother, sister, and mother.” Matthew 12:46-49 is a biblical passage.

Nevertheless, he responded to the guy who inquired about his mother and brothers by asking, “Who is my mother?” and “Who are my brothers?” “Here are my mother and my brothers!” he said as he extended his hand to his followers in greeting.

These passages were discussed by James Spencer Northcote (1821-1907), an Anglican clergyman who was welcomed into the Catholic Church, in a series of meditations he wrote in the 1850s, which may be found here: According to the Gospels (The Mother and Brethren of Jesus), Mary’s life is as follows: Assuming, as we wish, that Our Lord rose from His throne following His utterance of the words which the Evangelists have recorded, and proceeded to grant His Mother the interview she had requested would be entirely reasonable; on the contrary, it would not be at all strange; on the contrary, it is more likely than not; but it is not certain.

It’s all we know for certain that He responded to the interruption with the words, “Who is My mother and My brethren?” In the next breath, He turns to face those who were seated around Him and says, “Look, my mother and my brothers.” Anyone who follows God’s instructions is considered to be “My brother,” “My sister,” or “Mother” by God.

• Jesus used this occasion to demonstrate to His disciples (who would later come to be known as the Christian Church) that He viewed them all as members of His family.
• Consequently, it does not follow that this is “a rejection by these people” (i.e., his immediate family).
• Do not even the Gentiles behave in this manner?
• Matthew 25:40 (KJV) And the King will respond, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me,’ the King says.
• Luke 22:32 (NIV) but I have prayed for you that your faith will not be tested; and after you have turned again, encourage your fellow believers.
• Likewise, “brother” is a relative term (116 times in the New Testament).
• However, if the unbelieving partner wishes to split, that should be allowed; the brother or sister is not obligated in such a scenario.
• In reality, it’s only the beginning of the Church as a whole, with the Christian Church being viewed as one vast, extended family of believers.
• John: John 19:26-27 (KJV) Jesus called out to his mother and the disciple whom he adored who were standing nearby, and he said to his mother, “Woman, see!
• We also have a lengthy practice of addressing priests (both in Catholicism and Orthodoxy) as “Father,” which dates back centuries.

Mother Teresa, who is now known as St. Teresa of Calcutta, and Mother Angelica, who created the EWTN, are examples of female religious leaders who have been addressed as “Mother.” Monks are addressed as “Brother,” nuns as “Sister,” and so forth.

“Who is my mother and who are my brothers?”

Christians are in a bit of a conundrum when it comes to subjects such as the family and scripture. The intersection of our beliefs about “family values” with the teachings of the Bible, particularly those found in the Gospels, can be difficult to discern. When it comes to family life, Jesus, for example, did not place the same level of spiritual and sentimental value on it as many Christians do now. Consequently, how are we to reconcile the expectation that all good Christians should marry with his example of perpetual celibacy?

1. Family values present particularly challenging challenges for biblical egalitarians, because many of our fellow Bible believers feel that these values should include a hierarchical form of marriage.
2. According to the findings of my book, The Redemption of Love, 1the family ideals that were prominent in Jesus’ day were the economic repercussions of the Fall.
3. The New Testament historian S.
4. As a result, Jesus’ teachings, which appear to be anti-family today, reflect his intention to dissolve the materialistic motivations for family and replace them with ties based on obeying God’s will.

Jesus’ Ideal for Marriage

It is recorded in Matthew 19:1–12 that Jesus reoriented family values, which is one of the most prominent instances of his work. Jesus is caught up in a disagreement regarding the grounds for divorce in this text, which is written by the Pharisees. He, on the other hand, refused to be dragged into the discussion, stating that they should be more concerned with the grounds for marriage rather than talking about divorce. In response to his interrogators’ questions about God’s intention in creation, Jesus referenced Genesis 2:24, which states, “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be wedded to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” “Therefore, they are no longer two, but one,” he said to make sure they didn’t miss the point (vv.

Even Jesus’ own followers were taken aback by this notion of a husband and wife becoming “one,” who remarked, “If this is the condition between a husband and woman, it is best not to marry” (v.

Men married in their culture in order to provide for their own material requirements, which included children, sex, and home management.

Despite the fact that not everyone is capable of such a union, Jesus stated that since this was the aim of God’s creation of people as sexual creatures, “the one who is able to accept it should embrace it.” For better or worse, persons who decide to be married should choose to base their relationship on God’s plans rather than on their own worldly desires.

Singleness

The notion that every respectable person should marry is addressed in this chapter by Jesus, who is challenging yet another traditional family norm. He mentioned a number of reasons why people can choose not to marry, including the desire to devote their entire lives to the kingdom of heaven, among other things (v. 12). Combined with his personal example of celibacy, Jesus made it plain that Godly individuals may and should choose to live a celibate lifestyle. This was a revolutionary assertion, considering that being single had been an uncommon choice in the past.

It was a huge privilege that individuals were allowed to stay sin- free, given how far the relationship between husband and wife had strayed from God’s original plan.

God created human sexuality as ablessing, and Jesus reminded us of this by allowing believers to remain single and challenging married people to renounce the self-centered way in which they lived together:So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

• The imperative in verse 28 is not to be confused with a command.
• As a result, human beings may choose whether or not to consume them.
• When we see marriage and family as divine blessings, we may better grasp the degree of Jesus’ personal sacrifice for our sakes, in which he chose to forego the pleasures of home and family in order to serve the kingdom of God.
• 8:20).

Divorce

Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ inquiry regarding divorce also had a huge impact on the preconceptions about marriage held by his society at the time. During Jesus’ lifetime, he thought that marriage was the uniting of two people into one, and that “what God has joined together, mankind are not to separate” (v. 6; Mark 10:9). Even while he accepted that a man’s rejection of his wife could be justified solely by her adultery on his side, he then put a surprise twist to the argument. Adultery was seen as a crime against mankind in ancient civilizations.

Despite the fact that Jewish morality did not allow for the sexual freedom enjoyed by males in the pagan world, they nonetheless believed adultery to be a sin committed against the adulteress’ husband, but not against the adulterer’s wife, and hence a sin against both of them.

The concept of adultery is problematic in his paradigm not because it violates a man’s entitlement to his wife’s sexuality, but rather because it inserts a third party into the “two become one” relationship, according to the author.

The fact that they have received a divorce does not change this.

(See also Mark 10:11). 3 This rejection of the “double standard” was a significant step forward in the recognition of women as equal partners in marriage, and it validated sexuality as being vital to the marital relationship rather than only a physical resource as was previously believed.

The Importance of Spiritual over Physical Kinship

Jesus’ mission was marked by a continuous refusal to accept the constraints put on women. His reaction to a lady who “raised her voice and shouted to, ‘Blessed is the womb that birthed you and the breasts that fed you!'” was recorded in the book of Revelation. (Luke 11:27 New Revised Standard Version) is an excellent example. In a culture where mothers were assessed on the basis of their sons’ achievements, this lady intended to congratulate Jesus by saying, “Your mother was privileged to have a son like you!” However, the lady defined his mother’s blessedness in terms of her biology, implying that she was nothing more than a lucky womb and breasts in the eyes of the universe.

• (v.
• Although the lady in the crowd was unaware of it, Jesus’ statement applied particularly strongly in the case of his own mother.
• Jesus stated that obedience and faith were the qualities that were genuinely commendable in his mother, or in anybody else.
• This reinterpretation of blessedness paved the way for the formation of ties that go beyond bodily affinity.
• 4 Jesus also forewarned that fulfilling God’s plan would result in Christians being rejected by their non-believing families: “A brother will betray brother to death, and a parent will betray his kid.” In the event of a rebellion against their parents, the parents will be put to death.
• (Mark 13:12–13, New International Version) This statement may seem excessive to us, but it was much more stunning when considered in the context of Jesus’ day.
• It was only family members who could be trusted in the face of such strong rivalry.
• The passage from Matthew 10:37 was equally difficult.

Christians are rescued from the materialism that characterized their lives prior to the Fall by making the kingdom of heaven the source of their major connections.

Family Responsibility

When it came to women’s rights, Jesus’ ministry was a constant source of opposition. A woman who “raised her voice and said, ‘Blessed is the womb that produced you and the breasts that nourished you!'” was the subject of his response. An excellent illustration may be found in (Luke 11:27 NIV). In a culture where mothers were assessed by the achievements of their sons, this lady intended to congratulate Jesus by saying, “Your mother was lucky to have a son like you!” He was not much more than a lucky womb and breasts, according to the lady who defined his mother’s blessedness in terms of her biology.

• In the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), verse 28 reads, ” Jesus’ statement applied particularly strongly in the case of his own mother, a young girl who had been told by an angel that she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
• Mary was well aware that she could be stoned to death under Old Testament law if she were discovered to be pregnant by someone other than her fiancé, yet she chose to take the risk out of faith rather than fear.
• Not their capacity to birth or father children, but rather their willingness to hear and obey God’s message, was what was vital about individual women and men.
• There was only one woman who could be Jesus’ mother in the body, but by obeying the word of God, an endless number of individuals, male or female, might come into a family connection with him in the spirit world.
• Due to my actions, you will be despised by everyone, but those who persevere will be rescued.
• The ancient patriarchy put a high emphasis on family status, which could only be enhanced by the exclusion of other families from the community.

5 As Elizabeth Johnson points out, “the concept that family members, particularly siblings, should treat treacherously with one another has been a watchword in antiquity for the deepest depths of domestic disgrace from the dawn of time.” 6 In the words of Jesus, “Anybody who loves their parent or mother more than I is not worthy of me; anyone who loves a son or daughter more than I is not worthy of me.” Likewise, (Matt.

10:37) proved to be a difficult passage.

Believers are rescued from the materialism of the Fall when they make the kingdom of heaven the source of their primary relationships.

Jesus and Family Values Today

People got married in Jesus’ day in order to produce children who would serve and care for them as they became older. When individuals marry and/or have children in our culture, they do it in order to have someone to love and to be loved in return. This marks a significant and good shift in motivations; nonetheless, the fallen temptation to exploit other people in order to satisfy one’s own wants continues to exist. “Be fruitful and multiply,” says Genesis 1:28, yet this is an ability to multiply rather than a mandate.

Nevertheless, if we do decide to create our own families, Jesus taught us that we have significant obligations to our spouse and children.

It is our responsibility as parents to develop a virtuous generation that is devoted to the Lord, not to satisfy our selfish need for affection.

Notes

1. The Redemption of Love: Rescuing Marriage and Sexuality from the Economics of a Fallen World is a book on the redemption of love (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Brazos, April 2006)
2. “Undermining Ancient Patriarchy: The Apostle Paul’s Vision of a Society of Siblings,” Biblical Theology Bulletin29,2 (1999): 68–78
3. “Undermining Ancient Patriarchy: The Apostle Paul’s Vision of a Society of Siblings,” Biblical Theology Bulletin29,2 (1999): 68–78
4. Jesus maintains the proviso that divorce is permitted in the case of the innocent person throughout the entire chapter. We can see from Paul’s writings that, while early Christians struggled with remarriage, separation in the name of “peace” was considered acceptable (1 Cor. 7). When we say “writ of divorce,” we don’t mean that we’ve separated from our spouse, but rather that we’ve written down the terms of our marriage and given her the freedom to marry another. Women’s Place in the Church and Family: What the Bible Says About a Woman’s Place in Church and Family (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker, 1985), 94
5. Bartchy, p.68
6. And Elizabeth Johnson, “Who is My Mother?” (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1985). Family Values in the Gospel of Mark,” in Blessed One: Protestant Perspectives on Mary, ed. Beverly Roberts Gaventa and Cynthia L Rigley (WJK 2002), p. 38
7. “Family Values in the Gospel of Mark,” in Blessed One: Protestant Perspectives on Mary, ed. Beverly Roberts Gaventa and Cynthia L Rigley (WJK 2002), p. 38
8. “Family Values in the Gospel of Mark,”