Matthew 12:47

47 And a man said to him, Lo! thy mother and thy brethren stand withoutforth, seeking thee.

Matthew 12:47 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 12:47

Then one said unto him
Either one of his auditors, or, as the Ethiopic version has it, one "of his disciples": the other evangelists intimate, that more than one acquainted him with it; which is easily reconciled: for, upon his mother and brethren calling to him, as Mark says they did; first one and then another, and more, might apprise him of it, and especially as he did not immediately go out unto them.

Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak
with thee:
whether this message was carried at the request of the mother and brethren of Christ, and delivered in a simple manner, and with an honest intention; or whether it was officiously done, and with a design to interrupt him, and to try him, whether he would prefer his natural relations, and their society and conversation, to the spiritual work in which he was engaged, in doing good to the souls of men, is not certain; the latter seems probable, from the following words, and conduct of Christ. Some copies read, "desiring to see thee".

Matthew 12:47 In-Context

45 Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits worse than himself; and they enter [in], and dwell there. And the last things of that man be made worse than the former. So it shall be [and] to this worst generation.

46 Yet while he spake to the people, lo! his mother and his brethren stood withoutforth, seeking to speak with him.

47 And a man said to him, Lo! thy mother and thy brethren stand withoutforth, seeking thee.

48 And he answered to the man, that spake to him, and said, Who is my mother? and who be my brethren?

49 And he held forth his hand into his disciples, and said, Lo! my mother and my brethren;