Matthew 12:47

Authorized King James Version

Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
εἶπεν
said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#2
δέ
Then
but, and, etc
#3
τις
one
some or any person or object
#4
αὐτῷ
unto him
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
#5
Ἰδού,
Behold
used as imperative lo!
#6
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
μήτηρ
mother
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
#8
σου
thy
of thee, thy
#9
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#10
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
ἀδελφοί
G80
brethren
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
#12
σου
thy
of thee, thy
#13
ἔξω
without
out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively
#14
ἑστήκασιν
stand
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
#15
ζητοῦντές
desiring
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
#16
σοι
with thee
to thee
#17
λαλῆσαι
to speak
to talk, i.e., utter words

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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