Matthew 12:50
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Luke 8:21And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.Mark 3:35For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.John 15:14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.Matthew 28:10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.John 6:29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.Romans 8:29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.John 6:40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.1 John 2:17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.Matthew 25:40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.1 Timothy 5:2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
Historical Context
Jesus redefines covenant community from ethnic Israel to the universal church. This verse anticipates Pentecost (Acts 2) when Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free, men and women would be baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13), with obedience to the Father as their unifying identity.
Questions for Reflection
- How would your church life change if you treated members as literal family—brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers?
- Does your life demonstrate continual doing of the Father's will, or do you claim relationship with Jesus while living independently?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Whosoever shall do the will of my Father (ὅστις ἂν ποιήσῃ τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός μου, hostis an poiēsē to thelēma tou patros mou)—Hostis (ὅστις) is an inclusive relative pronoun: 'whoever, anyone who,' obliterating ethnic and social barriers. Poieō (ποιέω, 'to do') is present active subjunctive, emphasizing continual, characteristic action, not one-time obedience.
The same is my brother, and sister, and mother (οὗτός μου ἀδελφὸς καὶ ἀδελφὴ καὶ μήτηρ ἐστίν, houtos mou adelphos kai adelphē kai mētēr estin)—Jesus includes both genders and uses the intimate term 'mother,' signaling that spiritual kinship with him encompasses every dimension of family relationship. This verse is foundational for understanding the church as family (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 5:1-2).