And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
And {G1161} he answered {G611} and said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, My {G3450} mother {G3384} and {G2532} my {G3450} brethren {G80} are {G1526} these {G3778} which {G3588} hear {G191} the word {G3056} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} do {G4160} it {G846}.
But he gave them this answer: "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's message and act on it!"
But He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and carry it out.”
But he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these that hear the word of God, and do it.
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Luke 11:27
¶ And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed [is] the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. -
Luke 11:28
But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it. -
James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. -
John 13:17
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. -
3 John 1:11
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. -
1 John 2:29
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. -
2 Corinthians 6:18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
In Luke 8:21, Jesus delivers a profound statement that redefines the concept of family and true kinship. This verse captures a pivotal moment where Jesus shifts the focus from biological ties to spiritual alignment, emphasizing the importance of active obedience to God's Word over mere association.
Context
This verse immediately follows an incident where Jesus' mother and brothers came seeking Him, but due to the large crowd, they could not reach Him (Luke 8:19-20). When informed of their presence, Jesus uses the opportunity to teach a deeper spiritual truth. This teaching aligns with the preceding Parable of the Sower, where the "good ground" represents those who "hear the word, and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15). His response serves as a clarification of who truly belongs to His inner circle and the family of God.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "hear the word of God, and do it" translates from the Greek akouō ton logon tou theou kai poiō auton. The verb poiō (to do, make, perform) implies an active, intentional, and continuous carrying out of the Word. It signifies not just a one-time act but a lifestyle of obedience. This active "doing" contrasts sharply with merely hearing, which Jesus often warned against, as seen in the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27).
Related Scriptures
This teaching has direct parallels in the other Synoptic Gospels:
Practical Application
Luke 8:21 challenges believers today to examine the depth of their commitment to Christ. It calls us to: