Matthew 12:48

KJV

But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he answered {G611} and said {G2036} unto him that told {G2036} him {G846}, Who {G5101} is {G2076} my {G3450} mother {G3384}? and {G2532} who {G5101} are {G1526} my {G3450} brethren {G80}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But to the one who had informed him he replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?”

American Standard Version

But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus responds to the news of His biological family's arrival with a profound rhetorical question, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?" This pivotal inquiry serves not as a rejection of His earthly kin, but as a radical redefinition of true family, shifting the focus from biological ties to spiritual kinship rooted in obedience to God's will. It challenges conventional societal norms and lays the groundwork for understanding the new community formed by faith in Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger section of Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 11-12) where Jesus' authority and identity are increasingly questioned by religious leaders, leading to accusations of blasphemy and working by the power of Beelzebul (e.g., [Matthew 12:24](/matthew/12-24 "Matthew 12:24 - Pharisees Accuse Jesus")). Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has just declared that "every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation" ([Matthew 12:25](/matthew/12-25 "Matthew 12:25 - A House Divided")), and has spoken about the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit. His family's arrival (Matthew 12:46-47) provides a natural segue for Jesus to extend His teaching on spiritual allegiance and the nature of His true followers, culminating in His declaration in [Matthew 12:50](/matthew/12-50 "Matthew 12:50 - Jesus Defines His True Family") about those who do the will of His Father.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, family (the _mishpachah_) was the fundamental unit of social, economic, and religious life. Bloodlines, lineage, and honor within the family were paramount. To seemingly question or redefine these bonds, as Jesus does here, would have been deeply counter-cultural and potentially shocking to His listeners. The expectation was that a prophet or teacher would honor and prioritize his immediate family. Jesus' statement, therefore, was not merely a theological point but a direct challenge to the deeply ingrained cultural values of His time, emphasizing a spiritual reality that superseded even the most sacred earthly ties.
* **Key Themes:** This passage significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it develops the theme of the **Kingdom of Heaven**, illustrating that entry into and participation in this kingdom reorders all earthly relationships and priorities. Secondly, it highlights the **supremacy of God's will**, establishing obedience to the Father as the ultimate criterion for true discipleship and belonging to Jesus' spiritual family, a theme echoed in the Sermon on the Mount ([Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")). Thirdly, it introduces the concept of a **new spiritual family**, distinct from biological ties, united by faith and obedience to Christ. This foreshadows the formation of the Church, a new community where spiritual bonds transcend ethnic and familial boundaries, as seen in the broader narrative of the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Greek, _apokrinomai'_):** This word (G611) means "to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)." In this context, it signifies Jesus' deliberate and authoritative response, not a mere casual reply, but a profound statement that initiates a deeper teaching.
* **mother (Greek, _mētēr'_):** This term (G3384) refers to a "mother" literally or figuratively, immediate or remote. Here, it refers to Jesus' biological mother, Mary. The use of this common word in a rhetorical question serves to highlight the radical nature of Jesus' redefinition of family.
* **brethren (Greek, _adelphos'_):** This word (G80) denotes a "brother" literally or figuratively, near or remote. In this context, it refers to Jesus' biological brothers. Similar to "mother," the ordinary nature of this word underscores the extraordinary spiritual truth Jesus is about to reveal, challenging the conventional understanding of kinship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he answered and said unto him that told him":** This opening clause sets the scene for Jesus' response. The "but" (G1161, _dé_) indicates a shift or contrast, implying that Jesus' answer will be unexpected or different from what might be anticipated. He doesn't immediately go out to meet His family but addresses the messenger, signaling that His priority lies elsewhere and that His response will carry significant weight.
* **"Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?":** This is the core of the verse, a powerful rhetorical question. Jesus is not expressing ignorance of His family's identity, nor is He disowning them. Instead, He uses the question to draw His listeners' attention away from the biological and toward a spiritual reality. The repetition of "who" (G5101, _tís_) emphasizes the search for a new, deeper criterion for kinship, preparing the audience for the revolutionary answer that follows in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Matthew 12:48 is the **Rhetorical Question**. Jesus asks a question not to elicit information, but to provoke thought, challenge assumptions, and introduce a profound theological truth. By posing "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?", He forces His audience to reconsider their understanding of family and allegiance. This question also functions as a form of **Paradox**, as it appears to contradict the natural order of familial bonds, yet it reveals a higher spiritual truth. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the situation: while His biological family seeks Him, Jesus points to a spiritual family that transcends bloodlines, highlighting the unexpected nature of God's kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 12:48 serves as a foundational text for understanding the nature of the Christian community and the reordering of priorities in the Kingdom of God. It teaches that spiritual relationship with God, characterized by obedience to His will, creates a bond that is more profound and enduring than any earthly tie. This does not devalue biological family but rather elevates the spiritual family, demonstrating that belonging to Christ's household is defined by shared faith and adherence to divine purpose. This principle is crucial for understanding the universal call to discipleship, where all who hear and obey God's word become part of a new, spiritual lineage.

* [Mark 3:31-35](/mark/3-31-35 "Mark 3:31-35 - Jesus' True Family")
* [Luke 8:19-21](/luke/8-19-21 "Luke 8:19-21 - Jesus' True Kinship")
* [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Children of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 12:48 challenges us to examine the deepest allegiances of our hearts. While earthly family relationships are precious and commanded by God, Jesus' words remind us that our ultimate identity and primary loyalty are found in our relationship with God and our commitment to His will. This verse calls us to prioritize spiritual kinship, recognizing that those who do the will of God are our true brothers and sisters in Christ, forming a community united by a divine purpose. It encourages us to live lives of faithful obedience, demonstrating that our spiritual family extends beyond bloodlines to embrace all who are devoted to the Heavenly Father.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' question challenge my own preconceived notions of family and belonging?**
* **In what ways do I prioritize my spiritual family (the church) over earthly relationships, and where might I need to grow in this area?**
* **What does "doing the will of my Father" practically look like in my daily life, and how does this define my relationship with Christ?**

### FAQ
**Was Jesus disowning His mother and brothers in this statement?**

Answer: No, Jesus was not disowning His biological family. His question, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?" ([Matthew 12:48](/matthew/12-48 "Matthew 12:48 - Jesus' Rhetorical Question About Family")), is a rhetorical one designed to teach a deeper truth about spiritual kinship. In the following verse, [Matthew 12:50](/matthew/12-50 "Matthew 12:50 - Jesus Defines His True Family"), Jesus clarifies that His true family consists of "whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven." This elevates the importance of spiritual obedience and shared purpose over mere biological ties, without negating the importance of the latter. Jesus consistently honored His mother (e.g., [John 19:26-27](/john/19-26-27 "John 19:26-27 - Jesus Cares for His Mother from the Cross")), demonstrating that His teaching here was about reordering priorities, not rejecting His family.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:48 finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the establishment of a new, spiritual family through Jesus' redemptive work. By His life, death, and resurrection, Christ inaugurated the Kingdom of God, inviting all who believe and obey the Father's will into an intimate relationship with Him and with one another. Jesus, as the Son of God, perfectly fulfilled the will of the Father ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")), thereby becoming the elder brother and head of this new spiritual household. Through faith in Him, believers are adopted as children of God ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")), becoming co-heirs with Christ and members of His body, the Church ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Thus, Jesus' rhetorical question ultimately points to Himself as the one who defines and creates this new, eternal family, united not by earthly lineage but by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and a shared commitment to the Father's divine purpose, a purpose fully revealed and accomplished in Christ.

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

Mark 3:32

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

Mark 3:33

And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

Matthew 10:37

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Luke 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Deuteronomy 33:9

Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.

Luke 2:49

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

John 2:3

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.