Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 12:49

"And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren!" — Matthew 12:49 (ASV)

Jesus’ searching question and its remarkable answer in no way diminish his mother and brothers but simply give the priority to his Father and doing his will. Henceforth the disciples are the only “family” Jesus recognizes. Yet we do not make ourselves Jesus’ close relatives by doing the will of his heavenly Father; rather, doing that will identifies us as his mother and sisters and brothers (cf. 7:21). The doing of God’s will turns on obedience to Jesus and his teaching, for it was Jesus who preeminently revealed the will of the Father (cf. 11:27). These verses are full of Christological implications, but they also establish the basic importance of the community now beginning to form around him.