Matthew 12:47

It was when Christ was preaching in an house at Capernaum, that Mary his mother, and some of his near kinsmen with her, came from Nazareth to him: these brethren of his were relations according to the flesh, either by Joseph, or his mother's side: who they were, cannot be said with certainty: it may be they were Joses and Simon; for as for James and Judas, they were among the twelve apostles, and with him; and these are the four only persons that are mentioned by name, as his brethren, Matthew 13:55 though there were others that were so called, who did not believe in him, John 7:5 and could not come at him for the press; the multitude of people that were about him, who were so thick, that there was no coming near him, much less was there an opportunity of speaking privately, with him. The Syriac version renders it, "they could not speak unto him for the multitude". Luke 8:20 Ver. 20. And it was told him by certain, which said,.... The phrase, "which said", is omitted in the Vulgate Latin version, and in Beza's most ancient copy. The Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions only read, "and they said unto him"; and the Persic version renders it, "a certain person said"; some one person, as in Matthew 12:47 thy mother, and thy brethren, stand without, desiring to see thee; and to speak with thee, as in Matthew 12:47. See Gill on "Matthew 12:47". Luke 8:21 Ver. 21. And he answered and said unto them,....

12:46-50 Christ's preaching was plain, easy, and familiar, and suited to his hearers. His mother and brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him, when they should have been standing within, desiring to hear him. Frequently, those who are nearest to the means of knowledge and grace are most negligent. We are apt to neglect that which we think we may have any day, forgetting that to-morrow is not ours. We often meet with hinderances in our work from friends about us, and are taken off by care for the things of this life, from the concerns of our souls. Christ was so intent on his work, that no natural or other duty took him from it. Not that, under pretence of religion, we may be disrespectful to parents, or unkind to relations; but the lesser duty must stand by, while the greater is done. Let us cease from men, and cleave to Christ; let us look upon every Christian, in whatever condition of life, as the brother, sister, or mother of the Lord of glory; let us love, respect, and be kind to them, for his sake, and after his example.

Then one said unto him,.... Either one of his auditors, or, as the Ethiopic version has it, one "of his disciples": the other evangelists intimate, that more than one acquainted him with it; which is easily reconciled: for, upon his mother and brethren calling to him, as Mark says they did; first one and then another, and more, might apprise him of it, and especially as he did not immediately go out unto them. Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee: whether this message was carried at the request of the mother and brethren of Christ, and delivered in a simple manner, and with an honest intention; or whether it was officiously done, and with a design to interrupt him, and to try him, whether he would prefer his natural relations, and their society and conversation, to the spiritual work in which he was engaged, in doing good to the souls of men, is not certain; the latter seems probable, from the following words, and conduct of Christ. Some copies read, "desiring to see thee".

Matthew 12:47 (wanting in [77][78][79]) states what is implied in Matthew 12:48 ( τῷ λέγοντι ), hat some one reported to Jesus the presence of His relatives. [77] Codex Sinaiticus (sæc. iv.), now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile type by its discoverer, Tischendorf, in 1862. [78] Codex Vaticanus (sæc. iv.), published in photographic facsimile in 1889 under the care of the Abbate Cozza-Luzi. [79] Codex Regius--eighth century, represents an ancient text, and is often in agreement with א and B.

47. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee, &c.—Absorbed in the awful warnings He was pouring forth, He felt this to be an unseasonable interruption, fitted to dissipate the impression made upon the large audience—such an interruption as duty to the nearest relatives did not require Him to give way to. But instead of a direct rebuke, He seizes on the incident to convey a sublime lesson, expressed in a style of inimitable condescension.

See also Mark 3:31-35 ; Luke 8:19-21 . His brethren - There has been some difference of opinion about the persons who are referred to here, some supposing that they were children of Mary his mother, others that they were the children of Mary, the wife of Cleophas or Alpheus, his "cousins," and called "brethren" according to the customs of the Jews. The natural and obvious meaning is, however, that they were the children of Mary his mother. See also Mark 6:3. To this opinion, moreover, there can be no valid objection.

Verse 47. - Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee . The verse is omitted by the Sinaitic manuscript (original hand), the Vatican, and a few others; also by the Old Syriac and some manuscripts of the Old Latin Version. It is clearly an insertion to bridge over the "seeking" of ver. 46 and "him that told him" of ver. 48. Matthew 12:47

## His Mother and Brethren Seek to Speak with Him and the Answer (Matthew 12:46-50). 46. While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren —(See on Matthew 13:55, 56). stood without, desiring to speak with him —"and could not come at Him for the press" (Luke 8:19). For what purpose these came, we learn from Mr 3:20, 21. In His zeal and ardor He seemed indifferent both to food and repose, and "they went to lay hold of Him" as one "beside Himself." Mark (Mr 3:32) says graphically, "And the multitude sat about Him"—or "around Him." 47. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee, &c.—Absorbed in the awful warnings He was pouring forth, He felt this to be an unseasonable interruption, fitted to dissipate the impression made upon the large audience—such an interruption as duty to the nearest relatives did not require Him to give way to. But instead of a direct rebuke, He seizes on the incident to convey a sublime lesson, expressed in a style of inimitable condescension. 49. And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples —How graphic is this! It is the language evidently of an eye-witness. and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50.

Calling him {ovfor him) might appear to be a peremptory summons, but for the milder statement of Luke (8, 20), that they wished to see him, and of MatthcAv (12, 4G. 47), that they sought to speak to him. This last evangelist connects the incident expressly with the same discourse that here precedes it, but with a part of that discourse which Mark has not reported, and which Luke gives in a different connection (11, 24-3G.) 32. And the multitude sat about him ; and they said unto liim, Beliokl, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for tliee. The emphatic word here is not sat but multitude. Their posture was of no importance, even as a vivid recollection of a witness; but it was important to observe that he was in the midst of croircl (not tlie crowd), to explain why his friends did not speak to him directly but through others. The// said, i. c. one to another, till the nearest finally reported it to Jesus (Matt. 12, 47.) There is no ground therefore for the singular idea, that this person wislred to interrupt our Lord's discourse as too alarming (Matt. 12, 39-45), by directing his attention to his friends who were present and inquiring foj" him. 33. And lie answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren ?