Mark 3:34

KJV

And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he looked {G4017} round about {G2945} on them which {G3588} sat {G2521} about {G4012} him {G846}, and said {G3004}, Behold {G2396} my {G3450} mother {G3384} and {G2532} my {G3450} brethren {G80}!

Complete Jewish Bible

Looking at those seated in a circle around him, he said, "See! Here are my mother and my brothers!

Berean Standard Bible

Looking at those seated in a circle around Him, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!

American Standard Version

And looking round on them that sat round about him, he saith, Behold, my mother and my brethren!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 3:34 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry where, confronted by His biological family, He deliberately surveys the crowd of disciples and listeners around Him. In this profound declaration, Jesus redefines the concept of family, shifting the emphasis from conventional blood ties to a spiritual kinship forged through obedience to God's will. This statement serves as a foundational teaching on discipleship, inviting all who hear and respond to His word into a new, divine family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 3:34 is situated within a broader narrative in Mark's Gospel (Mark 3:20-35) that highlights growing opposition to Jesus, both from religious authorities and from His own family. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has been accused by scribes from Jerusalem of being possessed by Beelzebub and casting out demons by the prince of demons (Mark 3:22). He refutes this accusation with logical arguments about a kingdom divided against itself (Mark 3:23-27) and issues a solemn warning about the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:28-30). It is in the midst of this intense theological and confrontational setting that His mother and brothers arrive, seeking to take Him away, believing He is "out of his mind" (Mark 3:21). Verse 31 explicitly states their arrival and their inability to reach Him due to the crowd, leading to the message being relayed to Him in verse 32. Jesus' response in verse 33, asking "Who is my mother, or my brethren?", directly sets the stage for the redefinition of family presented in verse 34 and clarified in verse 35.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, family (the _mishpachah_) was the bedrock of identity, security, and social structure. Bloodlines, lineage, and tribal affiliation were paramount, deeply intertwined with religious and social standing. Disowning or de-prioritizing one's biological family was virtually unthinkable and would have been considered a radical, even scandalous, act. Furthermore, the concept of a teacher (rabbi) having a close circle of disciples was common, but these relationships typically supplemented, rather than supplanted, familial obligations. Jesus' statement, therefore, directly challenges the deeply ingrained cultural norms of His day. His family's concern that He was "out of his mind" (Mark 3:21) reflects the societal pressure to conform to traditional expectations and the perceived deviation from these norms by Jesus' public ministry and radical teachings.
* **Key Themes:** This passage contributes significantly to several major themes in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **radical nature of Jesus' kingdom** and the demands of discipleship, which transcend conventional societal structures and loyalties. Jesus is establishing a new order where spiritual allegiance takes precedence over earthly ties. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **true identity and belonging**, asserting that one's true family is defined not by birth but by spiritual affinity and obedience to God's will, as explicitly stated in [Mark 3:35](/mark/3-35 "Mark 3:35 - The Definition of Jesus' True Family"). This redefinition of family is a critical component of understanding the **nature of the church** as God's new covenant community. Finally, the passage subtly reinforces the **misunderstanding of Jesus' identity** by those closest to Him, contrasting their earthly perspective with the spiritual reality He is revealing, a theme prevalent throughout [Mark's Gospel](/mark/1 "The Gospel According to Mark").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **looked round about (Greek, _periblépō_):** This verb (G4017) signifies a deliberate, encompassing gaze, not a casual glance. It suggests Jesus intentionally surveyed the faces of those surrounding Him—His disciples and the listening crowd—before making His profound declaration. This intentionality underscores the significance of His words and the truth He was about to reveal about His spiritual family. The KJV's "round about" further emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this gaze, indicating He took in the full circle of those present.
* **said (Greek, _légō_):** The verb (G3004) implies a systematic or set discourse, rather than a mere utterance. When Jesus "said" something, it often carried the weight of authoritative teaching or a significant pronouncement. Here, it indicates that His subsequent statement was a deliberate, weighty teaching, not an offhand remark, designed to convey a profound spiritual truth.
* **Behold (Greek, _íde_):** This interjection (G2396), often translated as "lo" or "see," is an imperative that commands attention and points to something significant or surprising. By using "Behold," Jesus draws His audience's focus to what He is about to reveal, signaling that His statement is not merely an answer to a question but a revelatory declaration that challenges their preconceptions about family and identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he looked round about on them which sat about him":** This phrase describes Jesus' deliberate and encompassing gaze. He is not looking at a specific individual but sweeping His eyes across the entire group of people surrounding Him—His disciples, followers, and the curious crowd. The phrase "which sat about him" emphasizes their proximity and their posture of listening and learning, distinguishing them from His biological family who remained outside. This intentional act of looking prepares the audience for the radical redefinition of family that follows.
* **"and said":** This simple conjunction and verb introduce Jesus' authoritative declaration. It signifies a direct, intentional pronouncement, carrying the weight of His teaching authority. The preceding action of "looking round about" gives context and weight to the words that are about to be spoken.
* **"Behold my mother and my brethren!":** This is the startling declaration. On the surface, it seems to contradict the news that His biological mother and brothers are outside. However, by using "Behold" (an attention-grabbing interjection), Jesus points to those present as His true family, thereby redefining the very concept of kinship. He is not denying His biological family but elevating a new, spiritual family above traditional ties. This statement is a powerful reorientation of familial identity from biological connection to spiritual allegiance.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 3:34 employs several potent literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is present as Jesus' biological family, concerned for His well-being, seeks Him, yet He declares a new family based on spiritual rather than physical ties. The audience is privy to this deeper truth, while His family remains outside, misunderstanding His mission. **Symbolism** is central, with "mother and brethren" symbolizing not just biological relatives but the entire concept of traditional, earthly kinship. Jesus' redefinition transforms this symbol to represent a spiritual community united by obedience to God. The act of "looking round about" can be seen as a form of **Visual Rhetoric**, as Jesus physically directs attention to the crowd, making a visual statement before His verbal one, emphasizing that His words are directly connected to those present. This creates a powerful **Contrast** between the earthly family seeking Him from without and the spiritual family gathered within His presence, highlighting the shift from a physical to a spiritual understanding of belonging.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 3:34 profoundly reshapes the understanding of family, moving beyond mere biological ties to establish a spiritual kinship rooted in divine relationship. Jesus' declaration signifies the inauguration of a new covenant community, where allegiance to God's will, as demonstrated through discipleship, becomes the defining characteristic of true belonging. This challenges the deeply ingrained societal norms of His day, where bloodlines were paramount, and elevates the spiritual family—the church—as the primary locus of identity and loyalty for believers. It underscores that following Christ demands a reordering of priorities, placing the kingdom of God above all earthly relationships when they conflict with divine calling.

* [Matthew 12:50](/matthew/12-50 "Matthew 12:50 - Jesus Defines His Family")
* [Luke 8:21](/luke/8-21 "Luke 8:21 - Hearing and Doing the Word of God")
* [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Born of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 3:34 challenges us to examine the nature of our deepest loyalties and where our true identity lies. In a world that often prioritizes biological family, social status, or personal ambition, Jesus radically redefines what it means to belong. He calls us into a spiritual family where the bond is forged not by genetics, but by a shared commitment to hear and do the will of God. This passage compels us to consider whether our lives reflect this prioritization. Are we actively seeking to obey God's word, even when it means making difficult choices that may diverge from cultural expectations or even familial pressures? The spiritual family of Christ offers a profound sense of belonging, purpose, and eternal connection, inviting us to invest deeply in relationships with fellow believers who share this divine kinship. It reminds us that our ultimate identity is found in Christ and our shared pursuit of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' redefinition of family challenge my own cultural or personal assumptions about kinship and loyalty?**
* **In what ways does my life demonstrate a prioritization of God's will over other earthly allegiances?**
* **How can I more actively participate in and nourish my spiritual family (the church) as a reflection of this teaching?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "hear the word of God, and do it" more consistently in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus reject His biological family in this passage?**

Answer: No, Jesus does not reject His biological family. Instead, He uses their arrival as a teaching moment to expand and redefine the concept of family. He is not saying that His biological mother and brothers are no longer important, but rather that there is a higher, spiritual family that transcends biological ties. His statement elevates the importance of spiritual kinship—those who hear and obey God's will—to a preeminent position. This redefinition is about inclusion and a new order of priorities, not exclusion or abandonment of His earthly family. Later, Jesus demonstrates care for His mother (see [John 19:26-27](/john/19-26-27 "John 19:26-27 - Jesus Commends Mary to John")).

**What does it mean to be part of Jesus' "mother and brethren"?**

Answer: To be part of Jesus' "mother and brethren" means to be part of His spiritual family, which is defined by a commitment to "do the will of God" (as clarified in [Mark 3:35](/mark/3-35 "Mark 3:35 - The Criterion for Jesus' Family")). This involves hearing His word, believing in Him, and actively obeying His commands and the Father's will. It signifies a deep spiritual connection and allegiance to God that supersedes even the strongest earthly bonds. This concept is foundational to understanding Christian discipleship and the nature of the church as the family of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 3:34, while a radical redefinition of family, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ Himself, who not only articulates this new spiritual kinship but also embodies it. Jesus, the Son of God, perfectly fulfilled the will of His Father (as seen in [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is Doing the Father's Will") and [Hebrews 10:7](/hebrews/10-7 "Hebrews 10:7 - Christ's Obedience to God's Will")), thereby establishing the very criterion for belonging to this new family. He is the elder brother (as described in [Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Christ as the Firstborn Among Many Brethren")) within this vast spiritual household, inviting all who believe in Him and obey the Father's will to be adopted as sons and daughters of God (see [Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons and Daughters")). Through His atoning work on the cross, Jesus broke down the barriers of sin and division, creating one new humanity (as taught in [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")), uniting diverse individuals into a single body, the Church, where all are bound by common faith and obedience to Him. Thus, Jesus is not just the definer of this spiritual family, but its very head, its foundation, and the means by which anyone can enter into this eternal relationship with God and one another.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 12:49

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Matthew 12:50

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

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.

Romans 8:29

¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

Matthew 25:45

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me.