And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

MARK 3:33KJV
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Mark 3:33 (KJV)

What does Mark 3:33 mean?

In Mark 3:33, Jesus responds to news that his mother and brothers are looking for him by asking who belongs to his family. His question prepares the people around him for a wider understanding of family than the one based on birth.

Jesus answers the people who have just told him that his family is outside. By asking “Who is my mother, or my brethren?” Jesus turns their attention from the people outside to those gathered around him.

The Greek behind Mark 3:33

  • “brethren” — ἀδελφοί (adelphoi): The word means brothers. In this setting, the same family word points back to Jesus’ brothers outside and prepares for his description of those around him in the following verses.

Why Mark 3:33 matters

  • Jesus’ question receives an answer in the passage. In verses 34–35, he looks at those sitting around him and speaks of people who do the will of God as his brother, sister, and mother.
  • The verse uses a family question to make a distinction between two groups in the scene. Jesus’ mother and brothers are outside, while the crowd listening to him is sitting around him (verses 31–32).

Where else these words appear

“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 3:32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
  • 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.