Mark 3 31

Mark 3:31 kjv

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

Mark 3:31 nkjv

Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.

Mark 3:31 niv

Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.

Mark 3:31 esv

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him.

Mark 3:31 nlt

Then Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.

Mark 3 verses

Mark 3 31 Meaning

Mark 3:31 describes an event where Jesus' mother and brothers arrive at the place where He is teaching. They stand outside and send a message to Him, attempting to call Him out. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' revolutionary teaching on what constitutes true spiritual family, contrasting biological ties with spiritual kinship formed by doing the will of God. It highlights a potential misunderstanding or concern on the part of His immediate family, possibly stemming from the earlier belief (Mk 3:21) that He was "out of His mind."

Mark 3 31 Context

Mark 3:31 immediately follows Jesus' refutation of the scribes' accusation that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul (Mk 3:22-30). This accusation itself comes after Jesus' family has sought to seize Him, believing He was "out of His mind" (Mk 3:21) due to His intense ministry. The setting is likely a house where Jesus is surrounded by a crowd so large that they cannot even eat (Mk 3:20).Historically and culturally, family bonds in ancient Jewish society were exceptionally strong, forming the core of identity, lineage, and social standing. The concept of challenging or redefining family relationships based on spiritual allegiance would have been radical and potentially scandalous to the original audience, especially as it seemed to elevate "outsiders" above His own biological family. Jesus' actions and words are a polemic against the idea that kinship solely determined one's relationship to God or Jesus, instead pointing to a new, spiritual covenant.

Mark 3 31 Word analysis

• And then (Kai erchontai): Connects this event immediately to the previous context of intense ministry and opposition. Signifies a progression in the narrative, following Jesus' direct confrontation with the scribes.
• His mother (hē mētēr autou): Explicitly identifies Mary, the biological mother of Jesus. Her presence confirms the close familial bond, yet her motive here might still align with the concerns mentioned in Mk 3:21.
• and his brothers (kai hoi adelphoi autou): Adelphoi (ἀδελφοί) typically means siblings from the same womb. In this context, with "his mother" present, it most naturally refers to Jesus' younger half-brothers born to Mary and Joseph (e.g., James, Joseph, Judas, Simon, mentioned in Mk 6:3). This highlights their physical kinship but foreshadows their spiritual distinction from Jesus' true "family."
• came (erchontai): They physically arrive at the house where Jesus is teaching. Their purpose is implied in the next phrase.
• and standing outside (kai hestēkotōn exō): A literal physical stance. They remain outside, perhaps due to the crowd, or as a deliberate posture indicating their desire to "call Him out" or to avoid direct engagement within the immediate sphere of His ministry. It can symbolize a present spiritual separation or lack of full understanding compared to those inside listening to Jesus.
• they sent to him (aposteilantes pros auton): They delegate someone to deliver the message. This suggests an attempt to exert influence or authority, perhaps wanting Jesus to step away from His ministry and heed their call. Aposteilantes (ἀποστείλαντες) comes from apostellō, to send, related to the word for apostle, indicating a dispatched message.
• calling him (kalountes auton): An invitation or summons. It suggests they expected Him to respond and come out, implicitly seeking to assert their familial authority over His current engagement.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "His mother and his brothers": This phrase directly confronts the audience's understanding of family priority and loyalty. In Jewish society, these relationships were paramount. The presence of Jesus' immediate family establishes a clear contrast with the new definition of kinship Jesus will soon provide (Mk 3:35).
• "standing outside...sent to him, calling him": This sequence of actions indicates their distinct posture—they are separated physically and, as implied by the narrative's outcome, spiritually from Jesus' mission at this moment. They do not enter or participate in the hearing of the word, but rather try to disrupt it by calling Jesus away. This sets the scene for Jesus' teaching that true kinship is defined not by birth, but by obedience.

Mark 3 31 Bonus Section

This passage introduces an important Christological point: even Jesus' closest biological family did not fully understand or support His divine mission at this stage of His ministry. This human misunderstanding, contrasting with Jesus' divine identity and purpose, highlights the revolutionary nature of His kingdom message. It also serves to elevate spiritual affinity over mere biological relationship in God's eyes, a concept crucial for the developing Christian community which would embrace people from all nations as God's family, regardless of earthly lineage. This narrative foreshadows that one's relationship to Jesus would demand a realignment of all earthly allegiances, even familial ones. Despite their initial misunderstanding, the book of Acts shows that Mary and at least some of Jesus' brothers later became believers (Acts 1:14), illustrating a spiritual journey from skepticism to faith.

Mark 3 31 Commentary

Mark 3:31 serves as the crucial setup for Jesus' radical redefinition of family. His biological kin arrive, demonstrating both their awareness of His public activity and a degree of separation—they remain "outside" and send for Him, rather than joining the listening crowd. Their intent, read in light of Mark 3:21 (where they thought He was "out of His mind" and sought to "seize him"), appears to be one of concern, control, or perhaps even an attempt to intervene in His perceived excessive behavior. This action presents a challenge to Jesus' autonomy and mission from within His closest circle. By seeking to "call Him out," they implicitly assert a claim over Him based on blood ties. However, this challenge ultimately provides Jesus the perfect occasion to transcend and spiritualize the traditional concept of family, showing that true belonging in His kingdom is based on shared spiritual purpose and obedience to God's will, not lineage or social standing.