Matthew 12:48
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
3 of 18
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ,
him
G846
αὐτῷ,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 18
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
τίνες
Who
G5101
τίνες
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
8 of 18
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μήτηρ
mother
G3384
μήτηρ
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
11 of 18
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τίνες
Who
G5101
τίνες
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
14 of 18
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
In a shame-honor culture where family was identity's foundation, Jesus's response was revolutionary. He wasn't dismissing family but establishing that the new covenant community—the church—would be formed around shared spiritual rebirth, not shared ancestry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's question challenge modern attempts to claim relationship with God through heritage, baptism, or church membership alone?
- What would change in your life if you truly saw fellow believers as closer family than biological relatives?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? (Τίς ἐστιν ἡ μήτηρ μου καὶ τίνες εἰσὶν οἱ ἀδελφοί μου; Tis estin hē mētēr mou kai tines eisin hoi adelphoi mou?)—Jesus's rhetorical questions aren't rejection but redefinition. He doesn't dishonor Mary or deny biological family but elevates spiritual kinship above it.
This challenges the Jewish assumption that Abrahamic descent guaranteed spiritual privilege (Matthew 3:9). Jesus's question forces hearers to reconsider the basis of relationship with him—not biology, ethnicity, or religious heritage, but obedient faith. This radically democratizes access to Jesus while raising the standard: family membership requires doing God's will, not merely biological connection.