And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

MARK 3:32KJV
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Mark 3:32 (KJV)

What does Mark 3:32 mean?

Mark 3:32 describes a crowd sitting around Jesus while someone tells him that his mother and brothers are outside looking for him. The verse shows that Jesus is surrounded by people inside, while his family is waiting for him outside and trying to reach him.

In this scene, Jesus is teaching or interacting with a group of people when someone interrupts to deliver the message about his family. The verse highlights a physical separation between Jesus and his relatives, which sets up the moment for Jesus to make a point about spiritual family in the following verses. The focus is on the situation: Jesus is inside with the crowd, and his family is outside, seeking his attention.

The Greek behind Mark 3:32

  • The word for "multitude" (ὄχλος, ochlos) often refers to a large group or crowd, emphasizing that Jesus was drawing significant public attention at this moment.
  • The word "without" (ἔξω, exō) means "outside," making it clear that Jesus’ family was not part of the inner group with him, but physically separated from him and the crowd.
  • The word "seek" (ζητοῦσιν, zētousin) means "to look for" or "to try to find," showing that his family was actively trying to get to him, not just waiting passively.

Why Mark 3:32 matters

  • Mark 3:32 sets up the contrast between Jesus’ biological family and those gathered around him, which becomes important in Jesus’ teaching about who truly belongs to his family.
  • The verse helps clarify that Jesus’ ministry often put him at odds with normal family expectations, as he prioritized his mission and those who followed him.
  • This moment connects to the wider theme in Mark’s Gospel about the new kind of community Jesus is forming, one based on doing God’s will rather than just blood relationships.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“sat” Greek G2521 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • Luke 5:17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
  • Revelation 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

“for” Greek G2212 · used in 116 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
  • John 16:19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?