Jesus' Mother and Brothers Come to See Him

Jesus was still speaking to the crowd when his mother and brothers arrived. They stayed outside, wanting to speak with him. In Luke's account, they could not come near because the crowd was so large.

Word was passed in to Jesus. People told him that his mother and brothers were outside, wanting to see him. Mark's account also mentions sisters outside with them.

Jesus answered with a question: Who are my mother and my brothers? He turned the moment into a lesson for the people around him.

Then Jesus stretched out his hand toward his disciples and looked at those sitting around him. He said, in effect, that these were his mother and brothers. Mark also shows that sisters are included in this family.

Jesus explained that this family is made up of people who do the will of his Father in heaven, who hear the word of God and do it. Near Jesus, obedience to God matters more than being part of his earthly family.