Mark 3:32

And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

And {G2532} the multitude {G3793} sat {G2521} about {G4012} him {G846}, and {G1161} they said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Behold {G2400}, thy {G4675} mother {G3384} and {G2532} thy {G4675} brethren {G80} without {G1854} seek for {G2212} thee {G4571}.

A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you."

and a crowd was sitting around Him. “Look,” He was told, “Your mother and brothers are outside, asking for You.”

And a multitude was sitting about him; and they say unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

Mark 3:32 KJV Commentary

Context

This verse serves as a pivotal moment, setting the stage for Jesus' profound teaching on the nature of true spiritual family. Immediately before this, Jesus had been intensely engaged in ministry, healing many and casting out demons, which even led to accusations from the scribes that He was possessed by Beelzebub (Mark 3:22). His burgeoning popularity meant He was often surrounded by large crowds, making it difficult to even eat. His own family, including His mother and brethren, had come, perhaps out of concern for His intense activity or even believing He was "beside himself," as hinted in Mark 3:21. The multitude gathered around Him indicates the significant impact and attention His teachings and miracles were generating.

Key Themes

  • The Overwhelming Presence of the Multitude: The sheer number of people "sat about him" illustrates the immense interest and demand for Jesus' ministry. People were eager to hear His words and witness His powerful works.
  • The Arrival of Jesus' Earthly Family: The notification of His mother and brethren seeking Him highlights a moment where earthly concerns or relationships potentially intersect with His divine mission. They are described as being "without," meaning outside the crowded house where Jesus was teaching.
  • Preparation for Redefining Family: This verse is the direct prompt for Jesus' revolutionary teaching in the subsequent verses. It leads into His declaration that His true family is not defined by biological ties but by spiritual obedience, as articulated in Mark 3:35.

Linguistic Insights

The term "brethren" (Greek: adelphoi) in this context refers to Jesus' biological brothers, emphasizing the familial relationship of those who came looking for Him. The word "without" (Greek: exō) simply means "outside," indicating that they were unable to get inside the crowded space where Jesus was ministering, and thus sent a message to Him.

Practical Application

Mark 3:32, though a simple narrative detail, prepares us for a profound spiritual truth. It reminds us that while earthly family relationships are precious, our spiritual relationship with God and our commitment to doing His will hold ultimate priority. It challenges believers to consider what truly defines their family in the eyes of God, urging us to prioritize obedience to the Lord above all else, aligning our lives with the will of our Heavenly Father.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.

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