Devine Scripture

Matthew 12:49

What does Matthew 12:49 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 12:49 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 12:49 means

Jesus stretches out his hand toward his disciples and declares, Behold, my mother and my brethren. The gesture publicly identifies his followers as his true family. It is a symbolic act that elevates the disciples’ spiritual relationship over biological ties. Jesus’ action affirms the community of faith as the locus of belonging and support, showing that obedience to God unites people into the family of God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren!

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren!

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he put out his hand to his disciples and said, See, my mother and my brothers!

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, he said, `Lo, my mother and my brethren!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And stretching forth his hand towards his disciples, he said: Behold my mother and my brethren.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And, stretching out his hand to his disciples, he said, Behold my mother and my brethren;

Context

This follows his rhetorical question and completes his redefinition of kinship. The act of stretching out his hand toward disciples makes the claim visible and public. The concluding verse will state the criterion for such family membership: doing the Father’s will.

v.48But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

v.49This passage

v.50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 17:8

    for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me.

  • John 17:20

    Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word;

  • John 20:17

    Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.

  • Matthew 28:7

    And go quickly, and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead; and lo, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

  • Mark 3:34

    And looking round on them that sat round about him, he saith, Behold, my mother and my brethren!

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