TEXT [Commentary]

3. Jesus’ true family is those who do God’s will (3:31-35; cf. Matt 12:46-50)

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers[*] are outside asking for you.”

33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

NOTES

3:32 Your mother and your brothers. This text makes it clear that Mary had other children besides Jesus. It appears that they were seeking Jesus’ attention in 3:21 as well. After “brothers,” some manuscripts (AD 700) add “and your sisters.” The note with this verse indicates some uncertainty about the inclusion of this phrase from the Gr. version of Mark. It was probably not original to Mark and there is good testimony against its inclusion ( B C L W). Culturally, it is unlikely that sisters would be included in seeking Jesus out in this manner (Metzger 1971:82). It also makes the remarks more parallel to 3:35, which does mention “sister.” Thus, it is more likely to have been added than omitted, though an error of sight leading to omission is also possible (by skipping one phrase due to repeated mentions of sou [TG4771, ZG5148]).

COMMENTARY [Text]

This short unit underscores how Jesus’ presence was drawing new lines of community. The new demarcation emerges through the significance of Jesus’ presence. Those who do God’s will respond positively to him and become part of a new community whose shared loyalty to God might well transcend even the bond of family.

Jesus affirmed that his true family is not his biological family, but those who follow the will of God (Luke 11:27-28). Placed in this context and followed by the parables of the Kingdom, the point is to be responsive to Jesus’ message about God and his plan, a message his mother and brothers were apparently struggling to accept. The account might be especially poignant if others who were responding to Jesus were facing the same lack of acceptance from family members (Marcus 2000:285-286). In effect, Jesus affirmed a new family and a new community. Since the family was the most significant of ancient relationships, this point was important. Even the most fundamental human relationships are not as central a defining point for identity and action as is loyalty to God.