Luke 8:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he answered them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."

NIV: He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice."

NASB: But He answered and said to them, 'My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.'

CSB: But he replied to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear and do the word of God."

NLT: Jesus replied, 'My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it.'

KJV: And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

NKJV: But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

Unlike Mark, Luke doesn't record any criticism of Jesus' family, but that's consistent as Mark regularly records Jesus' frustration with His own disciples. Some suggest Luke's soft tone is because the initial nativity section (Luke 1:39–45) established that Jesus' family knows who He is.

Also likely, Luke is simply focused on his task. The theme of Luke 8:4–18 is how people are responsible to listen carefully to Jesus' words, allow them to reach and train their hearts, and bring about good works. This small aside stresses how important that instruction is. Even Jesus' mother is not exempt. If she and His brothers do not listen to and accept His words, they are not His family. The audience members who do listen and obey are His true family.

Fortunately, we know the biological family's rejection is temporary. After Jesus ascends into heaven, Mary and Jesus' brothers are in the upper room with the disciples and, apparently, present when the Holy Spirit falls on them at Pentecost (Acts 1:13–14; 2:1–3). Jesus' brother Judas / Jude wrote the book of Jude, and His brother James authored the book in his name and seems to have been the pastor of the church in Jerusalem (Mark 6:3; Acts 15; Galatians 1:19: Jude 1:1).

The parable of the sower illustrates how, just as seed needs good soil to grow, God's Word cannot produce good fruit in a hardened or distracted heart (Luke 8:4–8). The other Gospels present Jesus' words as "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven…" (Matthew 12:50) or "…the will of God…" (Mark 3:35). To do God's will, we must first hear it, and hearing is an important theme in Luke 8. It's good to know God sows His Word many times for us (2 Peter 3:9).

Luke 8:19–21 is a real-world example of the previous two lessons. The parable's sower spread good seed, but the harvest depends on the receptivity of the soil. The good news is spread like a lamp on a stand, but people must hear the message and see the light to respond. In a similar way, Jesus' mother and brothers do not listen (yet), so His followers become His new family. Jesus' family's concerns are also found in Matthew 12:46–50 and Mark 3:20–21, 31–35.

Luke 8 includes portions of three sections of Jesus' Galilean Ministry. The women who support Jesus' ministry bridge the faithful outcasts of chapter 7 to the sower who spreads the news of God's kingdom (Luke 8:1–3). Luke 8:4–18 includes the parables of the sower and the lamp under the jar. These illustrate the importance of hearing Jesus' message with a mind to believe and obey. Luke 8:19–56 presents different faith reactions when Jesus' life, power, and authority elicit questions about His identity.

This passage continues Luke's pattern in the account of Jesus' Galilean ministry: alternating calls to discipleship with stories that describe the discipleship He expects. In Luke 6:17, Jesus transitioned from calling and training the Twelve to a more general call; in Luke 7, Jesus interacted specifically with those with less privilege in society. Chapter 8 reveals how people react when Jesus reveals who He is, mostly through miracles. In Luke 9:18–50, Jesus returns to intense discipleship of the Twelve to give them courage and faith, preparing them for the journey to Jerusalem and what they will witness there.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.