Mark 3:35

KJV

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} whosoever {G3739}{G302} shall do {G4160} the will {G2307} of God {G2316}, the same {G3778} is {G2076} my {G3450} brother {G80}, and {G2532} my {G3450} sister {G79}, and {G2532} mother {G3384}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Whoever does what God wants is my brother, sister and mother!"

Berean Standard Bible

For whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother.”

American Standard Version

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 3:35 is a profound declaration by Jesus that radically redefines the nature of true kinship, asserting that genuine relationship with Him and belonging to God's family is not determined by biological lineage but by active, obedient alignment with the divine will. This statement elevates spiritual devotion and practical obedience above all natural ties, establishing a new paradigm for community in the kingdom of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant pericope in Mark's Gospel (Mark 3:20-35) that begins with Jesus' own family expressing concern, believing Him to be "out of his mind" ([Mark 3:21](/mark/3-21 "Mark 3:21 - Jesus' Family Concerns")). This concern is juxtaposed with the scribes from Jerusalem accusing Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils, a charge Jesus refutes with a powerful parable about a house divided against itself ([Mark 3:22-30](/mark/3-22-30 "Mark 3:22-30 - The Beelzebul Controversy")). Immediately preceding Mark 3:35, Jesus' mother and brothers arrive, standing outside and sending for Him. When informed, Jesus points to the crowd seated around Him, who are listening to His teaching, and declares them to be His true family ([Mark 3:31-34](/mark/3-31-34 "Mark 3:31-34 - Jesus' True Family")). Mark 3:35 then serves as the climactic explanation for this redefinition of family, providing the criterion for inclusion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, family (the *mishpachah*) was the foundational unit of identity, security, and social structure. Lineage, blood ties, and tribal affiliation were paramount, deeply rooted in the Old Testament's emphasis on Abrahamic descent and covenant promises. To prioritize anything over one's biological family, especially one's mother and brothers, was counter-cultural and potentially scandalous. Jesus' statement would have been shocking to His audience, challenging deeply ingrained societal norms and expectations. It underscored His revolutionary message that the kingdom of God transcended traditional human structures, demanding a new kind of allegiance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and broader New Testament theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Spiritual Kinship over Biological Ties**, asserting that belonging to God's family is based on a spiritual covenant, not physical descent. This radical redefinition of family is central to understanding the new community Jesus is forming. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **The Centrality of Obedience to God's Will**. "Doing the will of God" is presented as the singular, defining characteristic of true discipleship and the pathway to intimate relationship with Jesus. This theme resonates with Jesus' teaching throughout the Gospels, such as His words in [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Doing the Father's Will to Enter the Kingdom") where He states that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom, but only "he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Finally, it underscores the theme of **Radical Discipleship**, where following Jesus requires a reordering of priorities, even to the extent of re-evaluating the most fundamental human relationships in light of one's commitment to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **whosoever (Greek, _hós_):** This relative pronoun, often combined with other particles like G302 (*án*), indicates a general, indefinite reference, meaning "anyone who," "whoever," or "whatever." In this context, it emphasizes the universal accessibility of this spiritual kinship – it is open to *anyone* who meets the stated condition, regardless of background or prior status.
* **do (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb signifies active, practical performance or accomplishment, not merely intellectual assent or passive reception. It implies an ongoing, intentional commitment to carry out an action. Here, it stresses that true belonging is contingent upon a life of active obedience and engagement with God's commands, distinguishing genuine discipleship from mere hearing or knowing.
* **will (Greek, _thélēma'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to wish" or "to desire," *thélēma* refers to a determination, purpose, or decree. It denotes God's active volition and intention. In this verse, "the will of God" is not an abstract concept but God's specific desires and commands for humanity, particularly as revealed through Jesus' teaching and life. It implies a moral and spiritual alignment with God's character and purposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For whosoever shall do the will of God,"**: This opening clause establishes the singular, non-negotiable criterion for inclusion in Jesus' spiritual family. The conjunction "For" (G1063, *gár*) introduces the reason or explanation for Jesus' preceding statement in [Mark 3:34](/mark/3-34 "Mark 3:34 - Jesus' True Family Revealed"), where He identified those around Him as His mother and brothers. The phrase "whosoever shall do" (G3739 *hós* + G302 *án* + G4160 *poiéō*) emphasizes that this is an open invitation to anyone who actively and consistently performs God's will. "The will of God" (G2307 *thélēma* G2316 *theós*) refers to God's revealed purpose, His moral commands, and His redemptive plan, which Jesus Himself embodies and proclaims. It is not about perfect execution, but a committed orientation of one's life towards God's desires.
* **"the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."**: This powerful declaration reveals the profound consequence of "doing the will of God." "The same" (G3778 *hoûtos*) refers back to the "whosoever" of the first clause, identifying them as the true kin of Jesus. By listing "brother, and my sister, and mother" (G80 *adelphós*, G79 *adelphḗ*, G3384 *mḗtēr*), Jesus uses the most intimate and foundational familial terms in Jewish society to describe this spiritual bond. This is a radical redefinition, asserting that spiritual affinity through obedience creates a bond even stronger and more significant than biological ties, establishing a new family based on shared devotion to God.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 3:35 employs several significant literary devices. **Metaphor** is central, as Jesus uses the familiar terms of "brother," "sister," and "mother" to describe a spiritual relationship, thereby extending the concept of family beyond biological lineage to encompass a community united by obedience to God. This creates a powerful image of intimacy and belonging. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, setting up a clear distinction between physical family (His mother and brothers waiting outside) and spiritual family (those doing the will of God). This highlights the radical nature of Jesus' teaching and the new priorities of the kingdom. Furthermore, there is an element of **Reversal of Expectations**, as the audience would have anticipated Jesus to prioritize His biological family. Instead, He subverts this expectation, demonstrating that true honor and connection in His kingdom are earned through spiritual alignment, not birthright.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 3:35 is a foundational text for understanding the nature of the Christian community and the true meaning of discipleship. It reveals that the family of God is not an exclusive club based on ethnicity, social status, or even biological relationship to Jesus, but an inclusive fellowship open to all who commit to God's will. This radical redefinition of family underscores the spiritual revolution Jesus inaugurated, where allegiance to God takes precedence over all earthly ties. It implies that the Church, as the community of those who do God's will, is the true extension of Jesus' family on earth, bound together by a shared spiritual purpose and obedience. This passage challenges believers to examine their own priorities, ensuring that their ultimate allegiance and deepest bonds are rooted in their commitment to God's kingdom.

* [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Doing the Father's Will")
* [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Becoming Children of God")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 3:35 serves as a profound call to introspection and action for every believer. It challenges us to consider where our deepest loyalties lie and what truly defines our identity and belonging. Are we merely hearers of the Word, or are we active doers of God's will? This verse encourages us to prioritize our spiritual kinship with fellow believers, recognizing that the bonds forged through shared commitment to Christ are eternal and transcend earthly distinctions. It reminds us that our place in God's family is secured not by birthright or human merit, but by a responsive heart that seeks to obey God's desires. This means actively pursuing righteousness, loving our neighbor, participating in the mission of the Church, and aligning our daily choices with the values of the Kingdom. Our obedience is not a means to earn salvation, but a joyful response to the grace that has already made us children of God, confirming our place in His intimate family.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' redefinition of family challenge my own understanding of kinship and loyalty?**
* **In what practical ways am I actively "doing the will of God" in my daily life?**
* **How does my commitment to God's will impact my relationships with both my biological family and my spiritual family (the Church)?**
* **What specific areas of my life might need to be re-aligned with God's will to deepen my spiritual kinship with Christ?**

### FAQ

**Did Jesus disrespect His biological family by saying this?**

Answer: No, Jesus did not disrespect His biological family. Instead, He used their arrival as a teaching moment to elevate the spiritual reality of God's kingdom. In a culture where family ties were paramount, Jesus’ statement was revolutionary, not dismissive. He was not devaluing earthly family but demonstrating that there is a higher, more profound family based on spiritual obedience to God. His words highlight that even the most intimate human relationships must be understood in light of one's ultimate allegiance to God. Elsewhere, Jesus honored His mother (e.g., [John 19:26-27](/john/19-26-27 "John 19:26-27 - Jesus Commends Mary to John")). This passage in Mark simply clarifies that spiritual bonds, forged through shared commitment to God's will, are the true foundation of His eternal community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 3:35 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied "doing the will of God." Jesus Himself declared, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is Doing God's Will")). His entire life, from His incarnation to His crucifixion, was an act of perfect obedience to the Father's will ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). By His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus established the new covenant, making it possible for all who believe in Him to be adopted into God's family, no longer by natural birth but by spiritual rebirth ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Becoming Children of God")). Through faith in Christ, believers are united with Him, becoming "fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God" ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Thus, those who "do the will of God" are those who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, live in conformity to the example and teachings of Christ, thereby demonstrating their true kinship with the Son and their rightful place in the Father's eternal family, purchased by the blood of the Lamb.

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 7:21

¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

1 John 2:17

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 John 3:22

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 John 3:23

¶ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

John 7:17

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.

James 1:25

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.