Matthew 12:46
What does Matthew 12:46 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 12:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 12:46 means
While Jesus speaks to the crowds, his mother and brothers stand outside seeking to speak with him. This detail shows Jesus’ human family being concerned and perhaps trying to reach him amid intense public ministry. It introduces a domestic scene that will prompt a teaching about true family. The presence of his relatives also highlights the cost of discipleship: even family ties may be secondary to the demands of following God’s will.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949While he was still talking to the people, his mother and his brothers came, desiring to have talk with him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And while he was yet speaking to the multitudes, lo, his mother and brethren had stood without, seeking to speak to him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But while he was yet speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
Context
This scene interrupts the public teaching and provides a tangible occasion for Jesus to redefine family. The narrative shift from ministry and warnings to a family moment prepares Jesus’ answer that spiritual kinship—doing the Father’s will—surpasses biological ties, which he will state in the next verses.
v.45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
v.46This passage
v.47And one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking to speak to thee.
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?
- 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?
- John 19:25
These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
- Matthew 2:20
Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child’s life.
- John 7:10
But when his brethren were gone up unto the feast, then went he also up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.
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