Matthew 12:46-50

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:49

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples . One of the very few signs of an eye-witness in sentences peculiar to the First Gospel. And said, Behold my mother and my brethren! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:49-50

Spiritual relationships. There is difficulty in ascertaining the precise relationship to Christ borne by the persons called "his brethren." They were what we should call "blood-relations," but they may not have been either children of Joseph before his marriage to Mary, or children of Mary born after the birth of Jesus. The term is known to have often included cousins, and cousins of different degrees. The point we want is that they came, claiming Christ's special attention, because they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:50

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same ( he , Revised Version; αὐτός : Matthew 1:21 , note) is my brother, and sister, and mother. He is fall; he sums up in himself all such relations. Observe that our Lord does not raise the question whether or not his mother and brethren now believed on him. He is only speaking of the claims of relationship as such. From Mark 3:21 , however (which seems to refer to the same occasion), we may conclude... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:50

Christ's spiritual family. "Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." There is nothing new or peculiarly Christian in the idea that there is a bond stronger than that of blood. It is too obvious to escape notice. Nor does the assertion cast any disparagement on the institution of the family; less is not made of blood, but more of spiritual affinity. That our Lord did not make less of family ties is shown by his care for his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:46-50

See also Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21.His brethren - There has been some difference of opinion about the persons who are referred to here, some supposing that they were children of Mary his mother, others that they were the children of Mary, the wife of Cleophas or Alpheus, his “cousins,” and called “brethren” according to the customs of the Jews. The natural and obvious meaning is, however, that they were the children of Mary his mother. See also Mark 6:3. To this opinion, moreover, there can be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:46-50

Matthew 12:46-50. While he yet talked with the people While he was uttering these solemn truths, and giving these awful warnings, in the audience of the vast multitudes that were gathered around him: behold, his mother and his brethren Or near kinsmen, (namely, the sons of Mary the wife of Cleopas, or Alpheus, his mother’s sister,) stood without, not being able to come near him because of the multitude that sat about him: But he said, Who is my mother? &c. We must not suppose that... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:46-50

53. Jesus and his family (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:20-21,Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21)The children of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus were James, Joseph, Simon, Judas and at least two daughters (cf. Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3). At first they did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, but thought he was suffering from some sort of religious madness (Mark 3:20-21; cf. John 7:3-5). Jesus must have been saddened to see such an attitude in his brothers and sisters, but he knew that more important than... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:46

talked = was talking. people = multitudes. stood = were standing. desiring to speak = seeking to speak. Their avowed purpose. But in Mark 3:21 , Mark 3:31 their real purpose was to "lay hold on Him", and the reason is given: "for they said ' He is beside Himself '". This accounts for the Lord's answer. read more

E.W. Bullinger