19His mother and brothers came to him and were unable to reach him on account of the crowd. [8:20] It was reported to him: "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see you." [8:21] He answered and said to them: "My mother and my brothers are these — those who hear the word of God and keep doing it."
LUK 8:19-21
Jesusʼ Mother and Brothers
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, family ties were foundational to identity, honor, and social stability. The mention of Jesus’ mother and brothers seeking Him would have evoked assumptions about familial obligation and hierarchy. The term (brothers) could include full siblings, half-siblings, or even cousins, reflecting the broader kinship networks typical in Mediterranean culture. The crowd’s obstruction highlights the chaotic, pressing nature of Jesus’ ministry, where even family members struggled to access Him. Jesus’ response redefines kinship not by blood but by adherence to the (word) of God, a concept deeply rooted in Jewish thought as divine instruction or Torah. The emphasis on (doing) the word aligns with Jewish teachings that valued action over mere hearing. This redefinition would have challenged listeners’ assumptions about family loyalty and honor, situating spiritual kinship above biological ties in a culture where family was paramount.
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How other translations render this
LUK 8:19
- KJV
- Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
- BSB
- Then Jesusʼ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they were unable to reach Him because of the crowd.
- Koinōnos
- His mother and brothers came to him and were unable to reach him on account of the crowd.
LUK 8:20
- KJV
- And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
- BSB
- He was told, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.”
- Koinōnos
- It was reported to him: "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see you.
LUK 8:21
- KJV
- And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
- BSB
- But He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and carry it out.”
- Koinōnos
- He answered and said to them: "My mother and my brothers are these — those who hear the word of God and keep doing it.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 8:19
- brothers:The word translated 'brothers' here could refer to biological brothers, or it could be used more broadly to include other close male relatives, such as cousins.
- to get:The term used here for 'to get' implies a chance encounter or meeting, rather than a planned or intentional seeking out.
LUK 8:21
- word:The word translated 'word' here carries a broad range of meanings, encompassing not just spoken words, but also a message, a teaching, a divine utterance, or even the underlying reason or principle of something.
- doing:The word translated 'doing' implies not just a single action, but a continuous or habitual practice, suggesting a lifestyle of obedience.