Matthew 12:48

12:48-50 Those who are true members in Jesus’ family do the will of the Father, as expressed in the commands of Jesus (see 7:21). Obedience does not earn entrance into this family, but one cannot be considered a member if he or she is not obedient (see 3:15; 5:17-48; 6:10, 12; 7:13-27; 21:31).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Mat 12:48. Τίς ἐστιν, κ.τ.λ., who is, etc.) He does not scorn His mother, but He places His Father before her (see Mat 12:50): and, with reference to this principle, He does not acknowledge His mother and brethren; and uses this form of words to convey a reproof.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Mat 12:48 . τίς ἐστιν ἡ μήτηρ μου . One might have expected Jesus, out of delicacy, to have spoken only of His brethren, leaving the bearing of the question on His mother to be inferred. But the mention of her gave increased emphasis to the truth proclaimed. The question repels a well-meant but ignorant interference of natural affection with the sovereign claims of duty. It reveals a highly strung spirit easily to be mistaken for a morbid enthusiasm.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Verse 48. Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?] The reason of this seeming disregard of his relatives was this: they came to seize upon him, for they thought he was distracted. See Mr 3:33.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

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

Ver. 48. Who is my mother, and who, &c.] This meekest lamb was stirred with a holy indignation at so absurd an interruption, and sharps him up that delivers the message. Great is the honour that is due to a mother. Solomon set Bathsheba at his right hand, and promised her anything with reason. Nescitne Antipater unicam matris lacrimulam omnes istius criminationes posse delere? Knows not Antipater that one tear of my mother’s can easily blot out all his accusations against her? said Alexander the Great. Brethren also, or near allies (as these were to our Saviour), are dearly to be respected, and greatly gratified, as were Joseph’s brethren by him in his greatness. But when these relations, or their requests, come in competition with God’s work or glory, they must be neglected, nay, rejected and abominated. For is there any friend to God? or any foe like him? Men be they pleased or displeased, he must be obeyed, and his business despatched, be the contrary occasions never so urgent in show, the pretences never so specious and plausible.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? Who are they who are such in the truest sense? they for whom I must therefore primarily care?

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And he answering, said - Our Lord's knowing why they came, sufficiently justifies his seeming disregard of them.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

48, 49. Who is my mother, and my brethren? An allusion to his Divine character, which lifted him above the ordinary ties of the flesh. Behold my mother and my brethren. His real relatives are those bound to him by spiritual ties.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

Connecting Statement:

This is the end of the part of the story that began in Matthew 12:1, where Matthew tells of growing opposition to Jesus' ministry.

who told him

The details of the message the person told Jesus are understood and not repeated here. AT: "who told Jesus that his mother and brothers wanted to speak to him" (See: Ellipsis)

Who is my mother and who are my brothers?

Jesus uses these questions to teach the people. AT: "I will tell you who are really my mother and brothers" (See: Rhetorical Question)

See

"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"

here are my mother and my brothers

This is a metaphor that means Jesus' disciples belong to Jesus' spiritual family. This is more important than belonging to his physical family. (See: Metaphor)

whoever does

"anyone who does"

Father

This is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

that person is my brother, and sister, and mother

This is a metaphor meaning that those who obey God belong to Jesus' spiritual family. This is more important than belonging to his physical family. (See: Metaphor)

translationWords

Jesus

disciple

will of God

God the Father

heaven

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

(M) 48. And He answered and said to him who told Him, Who is My mother? and who are My brethren?] The editor summarises Mk vv. 32, 33 “And the crowd sat about Him; and they say to Him, Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek Thee. And He answered them, and saith, Who is My mother and brethren?”

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.