Mark 3:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he answered them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"

NIV: "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked.

NASB: Answering them, He *said, 'Who are My mother and My brothers?'

CSB: He replied to them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"

NLT: Jesus replied, 'Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?'

KJV: And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren

NKJV: But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?”

We know Jesus' mother: Mary. His brothers are James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas—not the traitor, this was a very common name in that culture (Matthew 13:55). Mary, James, and Judas (also known as Jude), at least, will become dedicated Christ-followers. But at this point, they only care about mitigating the damage Jesus is causing by His very public, very controversial ministry.

Jesus is clear that following Him will cause serious divisions within families. In Mark 13:12–13 He says, "And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. …" In Matthew 10:35–36 Jesus says, "'For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.'"

He adds, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37). Jesus' point is challenging, but crucial. Many Christians must choose between following Jesus and maintaining peace in their family. Jesus understands how this feels (Hebrews 4:15). He teaches how we should honor our parents (Matthew 19:19; Mark 7:9–13). But even He has to choose: between taking the path God sets before Him, or doing what His family wants.

We need to take Jesus' example and keep our eyes on Him, even if it means abandoning our family. He promises that if we do, He will replace what we have lost (Mark 3:34–35; 10:29–30).

Mark 3:31–35 is this section's final account of the reactions people have toward Jesus' ministry. Here, Jesus redefines the concept of ''family.'' His mother and brothers, some thinking He is out of His mind, have come to bring Him back to Nazareth (Mark 3:21). In contrast, a large group fills a home, probably Peter and Andrew's, intently listening to Jesus teach. Jesus declares that it is this audience—those who do God's will—who are His family, not the people who are related by blood. This account is also found in Matthew 12:46–50 and Luke 8:19–21.

The bulk of chapter 3 deals with how different people react to Jesus' teaching and His assumption of authority. The Pharisees' confusion transitions into plotting. The crowds that continually follow Jesus for healing become more frenetic and dangerous. Jesus' own family, afraid for His sanity, try to pull Him away. But true followers also show themselves. Twelve join together to become a core group, while a slightly bigger crowd, more interested in Jesus' teaching than miracles, earn the honor of being called His true family.

Mark chapter 3 continues in the same pattern as chapter 2, describing various teaching and healing encounters from the life of Jesus. These events are used to explain Jesus' overall message and demonstrate His power. They also serve to show how different people react to His teachings. Chapter 4 will focus more on Jesus' parables.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.