Matthew 12:47

Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

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Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.”

And one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking to speak to thee.

Matthew 12:47 sets the stage for one of Jesus' profound teachings, revealing His perspective on true family. This verse describes a moment when Jesus' earthly family seeks to speak with Him, interrupting His public ministry.

Context

This verse immediately follows a period of intense ministry and controversy for Jesus. He has just performed a significant miracle, healing a blind and mute man who was possessed by a demon (Matthew 12:22), which led to accusations from the Pharisees that He was casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:24). In response, Jesus delivers a powerful discourse on the nature of spiritual authority, the unpardonable sin, and the importance of good fruit. It is amidst this teaching, while a crowd is gathered, that His mother and brothers arrive.

Key Themes

The Interruption of Ministry: The arrival of Jesus' family highlights the constant demands and interruptions inherent in His public ministry. Even personal or familial matters had to contend with His divine mission.
Setting the Stage for a New Definition of Family: This verse serves as a crucial preface to Jesus' subsequent declaration in Matthew 12:49-50, where He redefines His true family not by blood ties but by spiritual obedience. It implicitly raises the question of who truly belongs to Him.
Jesus' Unwavering Focus: Despite the presence of His family, Jesus does not immediately break off His teaching but uses the moment as an opportunity to impart a deeper spiritual truth.

Linguistic Insights

The term "brethren" (Greek: adelphoi) used here refers to Jesus' biological half-brothers, the children of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus. This is consistent with other biblical passages that mention Jesus having brothers and sisters. Their desire "to speak with thee" suggests a personal or urgent matter, though the Gospel does not specify their exact intention.

Practical Application

Matthew 12:47, especially when read in conjunction with the verses that follow, challenges believers to consider what truly defines their relationship with Christ and their place in God's family. It underscores that spiritual kinship, established by hearing and doing the will of God, holds a preeminent place over even the closest earthly relationships. For those seeking to follow Jesus, this means prioritizing His kingdom and His commands above all else, recognizing that true belonging comes from spiritual alignment with Him.

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.