Matthew 12:48

48 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”

Matthew 12:48 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 12:48

But he answered and said unto him that told him
Of his mother and brethren being without doors, desiring, and waiting to speak to him,

Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
These questions are put, not as if he himself was ignorant who were his mother or his brethren; or as suggesting as if he had none; or as denying that these were in such a relation to him; or as casting any slight upon them; or as intending to teach men disrespect to parents and kindred, according to the flesh; but as displeased with the man, or men, for interrupting him in his work; and to let them know, that the business of his heavenly Father was preferred by him to any his natural relations could have with him; and that he might have an opportunity of pointing out who were his relations in a spiritual sense.

Matthew 12:48 In-Context

46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.

47 Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”

48 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”

49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.

50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”