Matthew 12:49
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρα
hand
G5495
χεῖρα
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
4 of 18
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 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
ἐπὶ
toward
G1909
ἐπὶ
toward
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 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
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μήτηρ
mother
G3384
μήτηρ
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
13 of 18
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
This public declaration came at a crucial moment when religious authorities rejected Jesus. He reassures disciples that opposition, even from biological family, doesn't sever them from their true family—those united in following him. The early church would desperately need this truth when families fractured over faith (Matthew 10:34-37).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's gesture toward his disciples encourage you when faithfulness to Christ costs you family relationships?
- Do you treat fellow disciples as true family, with the loyalty, sacrifice, and love that implies?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
He stretched forth his hand toward his disciples (ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ, ekteinas tēn cheira autou epi tous mathētas autou)—The gesture is deliberate and dramatic: ekteinō (ἐκτείνω) means 'to stretch out fully,' the same verb used of Jesus stretching out his hands on the cross. This isn't casual pointing but an intentional, authoritative declaration.
Behold my mother and my brethren! (Ἰδοὺ ἡ μήτηρ μου καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου, Idou hē mētēr mou kai hoi adelphoi mou)—Idou (ἰδού) is an attention-grabbing exclamation: 'Look!' or 'Behold!' Jesus identifies his mathētai (μαθηταί, 'disciples/learners') as his true family, establishing the church's relational foundation: shared devotion to Christ creates bonds deeper than blood.