Luke 8:19

Jesus' Mother and Brothers

19 ¹Then his mother and ²his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.

Luke 8:19 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 8:19

Then came to him his mother and his brethren
It was when Christ was preaching in an house at Capernaum, that Mary his mother, and some of his near kinsmen with her, came from Nazareth to him: these brethren of his were relations according to the flesh, either by Joseph, or his mother's side: who they were, cannot be said with certainty: it may be they were Joses and Simon; for as for James and Judas, they were among the twelve apostles, and with him; and these are the four only persons that are mentioned by name, as his brethren, ( Matthew 13:55 ) though there were others that were so called, who did not believe in him, ( John 7:5 )

and could not come at him for the press;
the multitude of people that were about him, who were so thick, that there was no coming near him, much less was there an opportunity of speaking privately, with him. The Syriac version renders it, "they could not speak unto him for the multitude".

Luke 8:19 In-Context

17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.

18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away."

19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.

20 And he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you."

21 But he answered them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."

Cross References

• 1. For ver. 19-21, see Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35
• 2. Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; John 2:12; John 7:3, 5, 10; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 1:19