Luke 8:20
What does Luke 8:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 8:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 8:20 means
Luke 8:20 notes that someone told Jesus his mother and brothers were outside seeking him. This report explains why the family had not reached him and prompts his clarifying statement about spiritual family. The verse records ordinary communication amid a pressing ministry and sets up Jesus’ response that reorients familial claims in light of discipleship. It also subtly highlights that those closest by biology may not be nearest in allegiance to God’s kingdom unless they respond in obedience.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And someone said to him, Your mother and your brothers are outside desiring to see you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and it was told him, saying, `Thy mother and thy brethren do stand without, wishing to see thee;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it was told him: Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it was told him [saying], Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, wishing to see thee.
Context
This verse follows mention of the family’s arrival to explain their situation to Jesus. It prepares the teaching that reframes kinship. The narrative placement emphasizes that practical ministry constraints give rise to doctrinal instruction — here, about who may properly be called Jesus’ family.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 1:19
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
- 1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
- Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him.
- Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
- Acts 1:14
These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
- John 7:3
His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest.
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