Mark Chapter 3 · Verse 34
And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κύκλῳ
round about
G2945
κύκλῳ
round about
Strong's:
G2945
Word #:
3 of 16
i.e., in a circle (by implication, of g1722), i.e., (adverbially) all around
οἱ
on them which
G3588
οἱ
on them which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περὶ
about
G4012
περὶ
about
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
αὐτὸν
G846
αὐτὸν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καθημένους
sat
G2521
καθημένους
sat
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
7 of 16
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
λέγει
and said
G3004
λέγει
and said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἴδε
G1492
Ἴδε
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
9 of 16
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
οἱ
on them which
G3588
οἱ
on them which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μήτηρ
mother
G3384
μήτηρ
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
11 of 16
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
on them which
G3588
οἱ
on them which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
In ancient world, family provided identity, security, inheritance rights, and social standing. To claim new family based on spiritual rather than biological ties was revolutionary. Jesus' declaration anticipated church as family of God—believers from all nations united as brothers and sisters (Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:19). Early Christians called each other 'brother' and 'sister,' sharing resources and treating spiritual family as primary identity. This sometimes caused conflict with biological families who viewed Christianity as betrayal of ancestral religion and family honor.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing fellow believers as your true family affect church commitment and relationships?
- What practical implications does spiritual family have for how you relate to brothers and sisters in Christ?
- How do you balance honoring biological family while prioritizing spiritual family?
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus 'looked round about on them which sat about him' with deliberate gaze, then declared: 'Behold my mother and my brethren!' The circular look includes all disciples sitting at His feet. The emphatic 'Behold' (ἴδε) commands attention to profound truth: spiritual family supersedes biological family. Those positioned 'about him' (περὶ αὐτόν)—in intimate circle of discipleship—constitute His true family. This doesn't dishonor Mary or half-brothers but establishes kingdom priority: relationship with Christ through faith creates family bonds stronger than blood. Reformed theology emphasizes union with Christ as foundation of all spiritual blessings and relationships.