Mark 3:31-35- Jesus' Family

Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You." Answering them, He said, "Who are My mother and My brothers?" Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother."


Earlier, two groups called Jesus “crazy”. The first group was “his own”, which was probably his family. Jesus’ family—his mother and brothers—are here to speak to him. Possibly, they wanted to take him home and keep him there (for this is how families dealt with family members who were insane). One way or the other, though, they had the authority to tell him to come out of whatever he was doing and to speak to them. Jesus, however, refused. He claimed that his true family are those who hear the word of God and do it. Here, he spoke specifically of his disciples who were listening to him. Thus, Jesus was communicating to his family, “You do not have the authority to call me out. Listen and do what I say, and then you will be my true family.” Jesus was not denying that his mother and brothers were his true family—but he was saying that only his disciples are his true family.

It is interesting to note that Jesus did not say that those who "believed" in him were his true family. Rather, those who did God's will. Not who tried to do God's will. Not who intended to do it. But actually did it.

This means that those who enact the will of God are Jesus' true family. Others may be seekers or hopers or longing for Jesus' family. But only those who do God's will are really the sisters and brothers of Jesus.

This does not mean perfection. This is why Jesus highly recommends repentance and confession of sin. But it does mean recognizing sin for what it is and doing all we can to get rid of it, as we will see.