John Calvin Commentary Matthew 12:48

"But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?" — Matthew 12:48 (ASV)

Who is my mother? These words were unquestionably intended to reprove Mary’s eagerness, and she certainly acted improperly in attempting to interrupt the progress of his discourse.¹⁵⁷

At the same time, by disparaging the relationship of flesh and blood, our Lord teaches a very useful doctrine; for he admits all his disciples and all believers to the same honorable rank, as if they were his nearest relatives, or rather, he places them in the place of his mother and brethren.

Now, this statement is closely connected with the office of Christ, for he tells us that he has been given not to a small number of individuals, but to all the godly who are united in one body with him by faith.

He tells us also, that there is no tie of relationship more sacred than spiritual relationship, because we should not think of him according to the flesh, but according to the power of his Spirit which he has received from the Father to renew men, so that those who are by nature the polluted and accursed seed of Abraham begin to be by grace the holy and heavenly sons of God.

In like manner, Paul affirms that to know Christ after the flesh is not to know him properly (2 Corinthians 5:16), because we should rather consider that renovation of the world, which far exceeds human power, and which takes place when he forms us anew by his Spirit to the image of God.

To sum up, this passage, first, teaches us to behold Christ with the eyes of faith; and, secondly, it informs us that everyone who is regenerated by the Spirit and gives himself up entirely to God for true justification is thus admitted to the closest union with Christ and becomes one with him.

¹⁵⁷ “Et de faict, c’estoit mal avise a elle de vouloir ainsi rompre son propos, lors qu’il enseignoit;” — “and in fact, it was foolish in her to wish to break off his discourse in this manner, while he was teaching.”;” — “and in fact, it was foolish in her to wish to break off his discourse in this manner, while he was teaching.”