Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.
Parallel translations
- WEB His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
- KJV There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
- BSB Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came and stood outside. They sent someone in to summon Him,
- NKJV Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.
- NASB Then His mother and His brothers *came, and while standing outside they sent word to Him, calling for Him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus' mother and brothers arrive and send for him from outside. It matters because it sets up his teaching on what true family in the kingdom means.
Overview
Standing outside the crowd, Jesus' natural family seeks to summon him, echoing the earlier concern over his ministry. Their position 'outside' contrasts with the disciples gathered around him. This scene prepares Jesus' striking redefinition of kinship based on obedience to God rather than blood ties.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Luke 8:19–21His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd.
- Matt 12:46–50While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 3:31 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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