Bible Study series: Matthew 12:46-50: The title reflects the natural reading. He really did have brothers.
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In the next link to the original chapter, I comment more and offer the Greek text. At the bottom you will find a “Summary and Conclusion” section geared toward discipleship. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50
46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, look! His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak with him. 47 Some told him, “See, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to talk with you.” 48 But in reply, he said to the one who spoke to him, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” 49 And he stretched out his hand to his disciples and said, “Observe my mothers and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven—that person is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matt. 12:46-50)
Comments:
46-50:
These five verses can be looked at in the context of the Gospel of Mark, which places these two verses nearby:
20 “He came home, and again a crowd gathered together, so that they were unable even to eat a meal. 21 When his family heard this, they went out to take him into custody, for they were saying, ‘He was out of his mind.’” (Mark 3:20-21).
Jesus has to make a break with his family. In John 7:3-9 his unbelieving (v. 5) brothers tried to micro-manage Jesus’s ministry. They told him to go to Judea so that the disciples there could see the works he was doing. He replied that his time had not yet come, but their time was always here, because they belonged to the world, which does not hate them, but it hates him because he testifies that its works are evil. That passage cannot get any clearer. There was a deep misunderstanding and gulf between him and his brothers. However, the epistles of James and Jude were written by his two brothers (Jude is a variation on Judas). So they must have surrendered to his Lordship, after his resurrection.
In v. 49, Jesus pointed to his disciples.
Sometimes making a clean break from your own family needs to be done.
A true disciple looks to do the will of the Father, not his own will. What is the will of the Father? Begin with the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5, 6, 7). Then if you need to know more specific directions (e.g. whom to marry or where to work), spend time in prayer and surrender. It is easier for God to speak to a disciple who is surrendered and living righteously.
In Matt. 10:37 Jesus taught family division may arise, yet in 15:4-9 he upholds the OT command to honor one’s father and mother. So in comparison between the kingdom and the family, the kingdom comes first, but if the family supports the kingdom citizen or disciple, then we should be grateful. These are general rules, like Proverbs, which admit exceptions.
In Islamic and strict Jewish cultures, converting to Christ—becoming a Christian—is very offensive. Muslim girls who convert are especially vulnerable. They may be “honor-killed” in Islamic cultures. Jewish children may be disowned. But those who reject their own family for these decisions for Christ are not hearing and doing the word of God. Those who reject their own family members are outside of right standing with God. Judaism is incomplete, and Islam is off the tracks. Those are strong criticisms, but I believe, after much study, that the criticisms are right.
Ten Big Differences between Christianity and Other Religions
So the bottom line is that people are right to leave those two religions behind and follow Jesus. And people may have to leave a dysfunctional family behind. “Why are you doing this?” You’re weak!” When they leave, let’s gather them in our “church arms” and welcome them into their new family. But the best outcome is support from the families of the new converts.
Turner quotes two other scholars: “These words do not dissolve family bonds but rather relativizes them” (comment on 12:48-50). In other words, in comparison to one’s commitment to Jesus, one must put him first, even if the family resists.
GrowApp for Matt. 12:46-50
1. Did you have to leave behind your family or part of your family? How did you find the courage to do this?
2. Have you found a new church family?
RELATED
9. Authoritative Testimony in Matthew’s Gospel
1. Church Fathers and Matthew’s Gospel
2. Archaeology and the Synoptic Gospels
14. Similarities among John’s Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels
1. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Introduction to Series
SOURCES
To see the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the bottom.
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