His friends (ο παρ' αυτου). The phrase means literally "those from the side of him (Jesus)." It could mean another circle of disci…

When his friends. Greek, "They who were of him." Not the apostles, but his relatives, his friends, who were in the place of his birth.

And when his friends . . .—Literally, those from Him—i.e., from His home. As the “mother and th…

The Venerable Bede: The Lord leads the Apostles, after they were chosen, into a house, as if admonishing them that after receiv…

Jesus was again being pressed by the crowds, demanding his undivided attention. When Jesus’ family heard that he was so engrossed by his work that …

When his friends heard of it Not his spiritual friends, his disciples and followers, that believed in him; but his kinsme…

Christ calls whomever He wills; for His grace is His own. He had called the apostles to separate themselves from the crowd, and they came to Him. H…