Mark 3:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him.

NIV: Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.

NASB: Then His mother and His brothers *came, and while standing outside they sent word to Him, calling for Him.

CSB: His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent word to him and called him.

NLT: Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.

KJV: There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

NKJV: Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.

Jesus' popularity is steadily growing. He alternates between taking His core group of disciples to secluded places for extra teaching (Mark 3:13), healing mobs of people (Mark 3:7–10), and arguing with Pharisees (Mark 3:1–6, 22–30). His mother, Mary, and His brothers have heard that something is going on and are worried (Mark 3:21).

It's unclear if Jesus' family is in Nazareth or Capernaum, but probably Nazareth. They would have heard about His actions much sooner had they been nearer. But as people come from all over Galilee and Judea to Capernaum to see Jesus, many would have travelled back through Nazareth, twenty miles away.

For some unknown reason, Joseph is out of the picture, but Mary still has four other sons and at least two daughters (Mark 6:3). Although Mary knows Jesus is the Messiah, she doesn't fully understand what that means. From the reports coming from Capernaum, she and her sons are worried. Some of the family seems to think that Jesus has lost His mind.

Before we judge these family members too harshly for this, it's important to remember how limited communication was in that era. Jesus is attracting a great deal of attention, but there is no way for the family to directly speak with Him, or to know exactly what is happening. The scribes were not the only ones who disliked Jesus' message, so it's easy to see how false gossip or exaggerated rumors could make their way to Mary and her children.

So, out of concern, Jesus' family has come to the house where He is teaching. Once again, however, the house is too crowded for anyone else to come in (see Mark 2:1–2). They are forced to remain outside, hoping someone will relay their message and Jesus will come out.

This verse presents some controversy, since the Catholic Church teaches that Mary remained a virgin her whole life. There is no evidence in the Bible that this is true, and there is no theological reason why it should be. The word translated "brothers" is from the Greek root word adelphos. It means a biological brother with at least one shared parent. In no way does it suggest that they were cousins or Joseph's children from an earlier marriage or a concubine. In fact, the context of these verses makes it clear that the persons in question are not "cultural" brothers, but actual family members.

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.

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.