There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

MARK 3:31KJV
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Mark 3:31 (KJV)

What does Mark 3:31 mean?

Mark 3:31 describes how Jesus’ mother and his brothers arrived while he was teaching, and, remaining outside, they sent someone in to call for him. The verse shows that his family was not inside with him but wanted to speak with him from outside the gathering.

The setting is a crowded house where Jesus is surrounded by people as he teaches. His family, including his mother Mary and his brothers, come to see him but do not go inside. Instead, they send a message in, asking for him to come out to them. This moment sets up a contrast between Jesus’ physical family waiting outside and those gathered around him inside.

The Greek behind Mark 3:31

  • The word for "brethren" is ἀδελφοί (adelphoi), which often means brothers but can sometimes refer more broadly to close relatives. Here, it likely refers to Jesus’ actual brothers.
  • The phrase "standing without" uses ἔξω (exō), meaning "outside," emphasizing that his family was not part of the group listening to Jesus but remained apart from the crowd.
  • The verb "sent" is ἀποστέλλω (apostellō), meaning "to send out," which highlights that his family did not approach Jesus directly but sent someone as a messenger.
  • The word "calling" is φωνέω (phōneō), meaning "to call" or "to summon," showing that his family was actively trying to get his attention from outside.

Why Mark 3:31 matters

  • Mark 3:31 sets up the following verses, where Jesus redefines what it means to be his family, making a point about spiritual kinship versus biological ties.
  • The detail that his family stayed outside suggests a distance—physical and possibly relational—between Jesus and his relatives at this moment.
  • This verse helps clarify that Jesus’ ministry sometimes created tension or misunderstanding even among those closest to him, a theme that appears elsewhere in the Gospels.

Where else these words appear

“calling” Greek G5455 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
  • Luke 8:54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
  • John 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

“without” Greek G1854 · used in 64 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
  • Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

“mother” Greek G3384 · used in 79 verses

  • Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
  • Mark 3:33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
  • Luke 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

“sent” Greek G649 · used in 130 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Luke 4:43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
  • John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.