Matthew 12 · Verse 46

Matthew 12:46

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

Matthew 12:46, King James Version

Matthew 12:46 in other translations

BSB	While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him.
WEB	While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
ASV	While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
YLT	And while he was yet speaking to the multitudes, lo, his mother and brethren had stood without, seeking to speak to him,
DARBY	But while he was yet speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
BBE	While he was still talking to the people, his mother and his brothers came, desiring to have talk with him.
Webster	While he was yet speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

What does Matthew 12:46 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

46. While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren--(See on Mt 13:55, 56). stood without, desiring to speak with him--"and could not come at Him for the press" (Lu 8:19). For what purpose these came, we learn from Mr 3:20, 21. In His zeal and ardor He seemed indifferent both to food and repose, and "they went to lay hold of Him" as one "beside Himself." Mark (Mr 3:32) says graphically, "And the multitude sat about Him"--or "around Him."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verses 46-50. See also Mk 3:31-35, Lk 8:19-21.

His brethren. There has been some difference of opinion about the persons who were meant here; some supposing that they were children of Mary his mother, others that they were the children of Mary the wife of Cleophas or Alpheus his cousins, and called brethren according to the customs of the Jews. The natural and obvious meaning is, however, that they were the children of Mary his mother. See also Mk 6:3. To this opinion, moreover, there can be no valid objection.

(u) "his mother" Mk 3:31, Lk 8:19 (v) "brethren stood" Mt 13:55

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 46 His mother and his brethren - These are supposed to have been the cousins of our Lord, as the word brother is frequently used among the Hebrews in this sense. But there are others who believe Mary had other children beside our Lord and that these were literally his brothers, who are spoken of here. And, although it be possible that these were the sons of Mary, the wife of Cleopas or Alpheus, his mother's sister, called his relations, Mar 3:31; yet it is as likely that they were the children of Joseph and Mary, and brethren of our Lord, in the strictest sense of the word. See on Mat 13:55 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 12:46-50

Christ's preaching was plain, easy, and familiar, and suited to his hearers. His mother and brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him, when they should have been standing within, desiring to hear him. Frequently, those who are nearest to the means of knowledge and grace are most negligent. We are apt to neglect that which we think we may have any day, forgetting that to-morrow is not ours. We often meet with hinderances in our work from friends about us, and are taken off by care for the things of this life, from the concerns of our souls. Christ was so intent on his work, that no natural or other duty took him from it. Not that, under pretence of religion, we may be disrespectful to parents, or unkind to relations; but the lesser duty must stand by, while the greater is done. Let us cease from men, and cleave to Christ; let us look upon every Christian, in whatever condition of life, as the brother, sister, or mother of the Lord of glory; let us love, respect, and be kind to them, for his sake, and after his example.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Matthew 12:46 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἜτιEtiWhileG2089

αὐτοῦautouwhen HeG846

λαλοῦντοςlalountosis speakingG2980

τοῖςtoisto theG3588

ὄχλοιςochloiscrowdsG3793

ἰδοὺidoubeholdG2400

ἡhētheG3588

μήτηρmētērmotherG3384

καὶkaiandG2532

οἱhoitheG3588

ἀδελφοὶadelphoibrothersG80

αὐτοῦautouof HimG846

εἱστήκεισανheistēkeisanhad been standingG2476

ἔξωexōoutsideG1854

ζητοῦντεςzētountesseekingG2212

αὐτῷautōto HimG846

λαλῆσαι.lalēsaito speak.G2980

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 12:46

Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
John 7:3
His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
John 2:12
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
John 7:5
For neither did his brethren believe in him.
Mark 3:31-35
There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! …
Luke 8:19-21
Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Acts 1:14
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Galatians 1:19
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
Luke 2:48
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
Luke 8:10
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

yet.
Mr 2:21; 3:31-35; Lu 8:10,19-21
his.
13:55; Mr 6:3; Joh 2:12; 7:3,5,10; Ac 1:14; 1Co 9:5; Ga 1:19

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Matthew 12:45
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Matthew 12:46
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Matthew 12:47
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

Read all of Matthew 12

Matthew 12:46 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y estando él aún hablando á las gentes, he aquí su madre y sus hermanos estaban fuera, que le querían hablar.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et comme il parlait encore aux foules, voici, sa mère et ses frères se tenaient dehors, cherchant à lui parler.
German Elberfelder 1871	Als er aber noch zu der Volksmenge redete, siehe, da standen seine Mutter und seine Brüder draußen und suchten ihn zu sprechen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Adhuc eo loquente ad turbas, ecce mater ejus et fratres stabant foris, quærentes loqui ei.