My Walk Through the Book of Matthew by Annette Godtland

Jesus' Mother and Brothers Send for Him (Matthew 12:46-50)

46While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You."

48But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" 49And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! 50For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

This verse brings up many more questions for me than it answers. But first I have to admit that I used to think of this verse as Jesus rejecting His family, that he denied Mary and her other Sons as family. But that is not exactly what this is saying. It is only saying the family of Jesus is much broader, includes any who do the will of God. There is nothing to indicate that He didn't go out to speak with them after this.

But why didn't Mary and her other sons come into the building? Was it just too crowded with the multitudes that there just was no way for them to enter?

Why did they come? Had they heard of the accusations made by the Pharisees? Were they worried for Jesus' safety and needed to speak with Jesus to be reassured of His safety or did they come to try to talk him into going somewhere safer?

Or were they also concerned with what Jesus was saying against the Jewish law? Remember, this book started by outlining the rich Jewish heritage Jesus was born into. Were they concerned with what Jesus was teaching?

Jesus said anyone who does the will of God is His mother, brother, or sister. Mary set the first example when she agreed to give birth to Jesus. Is Mary still so focused on doing the will of God? And what of the brothers?

And why did Matthew include this verse here in this same chapter which seems to be so directed at the Pharisees and this wicked generation? Was this just a quick, easy way to end the heated discussion against the Pharisees with a simple "Sorry, but I have to go, I hear my mother calling"? Or was it maybe one of the disciples who was trying to end the discussion by trying to get Jesus outside before the tension with the Pharisees got any worse? Sure, it was true that they were waiting outside, but maybe they weren't in any big hurry and that is why they hadn't tried coming into the synagogue.

Actually, if Matthew had meant for this text to emphasize Jesus separation from his biological family, I think he would have included it in chapter 10 where he talks of Jesus' causing division, even amongst family members. So I really don't think Matthew included this here to emphasize a problem with Jesus' biological family. Rather, it is to emphasize how everyone who does the will of God is family to Jesus. No one family member has higher priority than any others. Yes, family members were outside waiting to speak to Him, but so are other family members inside: His disciples.

There is so much discussion in this chapter of this evil and wicked generation that it is good to hear from Jesus that there is also some good. In fact good enough to be considered His mother, brothers, and sisters. And I am encouraged that this wasn't Jesus turning His back on His biological family, but Him trying to extend His family to include anyone who tries to do the will of God. This opens the door for me to try to also be part of Jesus' family. And that is good news!