King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Berean Standard Bible:
Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.”
American Standard Version:
And one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking to speak to thee.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then{G1161} one{G5100} said{G2036} unto him{G846}, Behold{G2400}, thy{G4675} mother{G3384} and{G2532} thy{G4675} brethren{G80} stand{G2476} without{G1854}, desiring{G2212} to speak{G2980} with thee{G4671}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Matthew 12:47
Matthew 12:47 is a verse that captures a moment during Jesus' ministry when He is interrupted by news of His biological family seeking His attention. The broader context of this verse is found within a section of the Gospel where Jesus is teaching and performing miracles, and His actions are prompting reactions from various groups, including religious leaders and His own family.
In the historical context of the time, family ties were of utmost importance in Jewish society. Jesus, however, is depicted as redefining the concept of family, emphasizing spiritual kinship over biological relationships. This is seen in His response to the message brought to Him, which is fully realized in the subsequent verses (Matthew 12:48-50). When told that His mother and brothers are outside wanting to speak with Him, Jesus uses this as an opportunity to teach about the nature of His spiritual family.
The themes present in this verse include the tension between the claims of Jesus' natural family and the demands of His ministry, the redefinition of family in a spiritual sense, and the priority of God's kingdom over earthly relationships. Jesus' reply in the following verses suggests that those who do the will of God are His true family, thus elevating discipleship and obedience to God above traditional family loyalties.
In summary, Matthew 12:47 reflects the transformative message of Jesus regarding the composition of His spiritual family, challenges the traditional Jewish emphasis on biological family ties, and underscores the primacy of God's kingdom and will in the lives of His followers. This moment in the Gospel narrative is a poignant example of Jesus' radical teachings that often confronted and reoriented the cultural norms of His day.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G5100
There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τὶς
Transliteration: tìs
Pronunciation: tis
Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever). - Strong's Number: G2036
There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔπω
Transliteration: épō
Pronunciation: ep'-o
Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G2400
There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἰδού
Transliteration: idoú
Pronunciation: id-oo'
Description: second person singular imperative middle voice of εἴδω; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see. - Strong's Number: G4675
There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σοῦ
Transliteration: soû
Pronunciation: soo
Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy. - Strong's Number: G3384
There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μήτηρ
Transliteration: mḗtēr
Pronunciation: may'-tare
Description: apparently a primary word; a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote):--mother. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G80
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδελφός
Transliteration: adelphós
Pronunciation: ad-el-fos'
Description: from Α (as a connective particle) and (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like Α):--brother. - Strong's Number: G2476
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἵστημι
Transliteration: hístēmi
Pronunciation: stah'-o
Description: a prolonged form of a primary (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively):--abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare τίθημι. - Strong's Number: G1854
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔξω
Transliteration: éxō
Pronunciation: ex'-o
Description: adverb from ἐκ; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively:--away, forth, (with-)out (of, -ward), strange. - Strong's Number: G2212
There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ζητέω
Transliteration: zētéō
Pronunciation: dzay-teh'-o
Description: of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):--be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means). Compare πυνθάνομαι. - Strong's Number: G2980
There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λαλέω
Transliteration: laléō
Pronunciation: lal-eh'-o
Description: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare λέγω. - Strong's Number: G4671
There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σοί
Transliteration: soí
Pronunciation: soy
Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.