Mark 3 32

Mark 3:32 kjv

And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

Mark 3:32 nkjv

And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You."

Mark 3:32 niv

A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you."

Mark 3:32 esv

And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you."

Mark 3:32 nlt

There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, "Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you."

Mark 3 verses

Mark 3 32 Meaning

Mark 3:32 describes a moment during Jesus's ministry when a multitude was gathered around Him, likely listening to His teaching. Someone within or near this crowd announced that His mother and brothers were outside, seeking to speak with Him. This verse sets the stage for Jesus's pivotal teaching in the subsequent verses (Mk 3:33-35) about the true nature of spiritual kinship, redefining who His family truly is, not by biological ties, but by doing the will of God. It highlights a common tension between earthly relationships and the demands of God's Kingdom.

Mark 3 32 Context

Mark 3:32 is nestled within a significant section of Mark's Gospel where Jesus's identity and ministry are intensely scrutinized. Immediately preceding this verse (Mk 3:20-30), Jesus has been teaching, and a large crowd has gathered, so much so that He and His disciples cannot even eat. At this point, scribes from Jerusalem accuse Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul and casting out demons by the prince of demons, which Jesus refutes with a strong rebuke, speaking of the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit. Directly before that, in Mark 3:21, Jesus's own family attempted to "seize him," believing "He is out of His mind." Thus, Mark 3:32 occurs at a moment of both intense opposition and misunderstanding, not only from religious authorities but also from His natural family. The crowd surrounding Jesus underscores the widespread interest in His teachings, creating a platform for Him to redefine true kinship in light of the Kingdom of God, distinguishing between physical lineage and spiritual obedience.

Mark 3 32 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A common conjunction, indicating continuation. Here, it signals the next event in the ongoing scene of Jesus teaching amidst the multitude.
• the multitude (ὁ ὄχλος - ho ochlos): Refers to a large, often undifferentiated, crowd of common people. In Mark, the "multitude" often represents those who are drawn to Jesus but whose understanding and commitment vary. They are frequently recipients of His teaching and healing.
• sat about him (ἐκάθητο περὶ αὐτὸν - ekathēto peri auton):
  • ἐκάθητο (ekathēto): Imperfect tense of "to sit." This indicates a continuous or habitual action. The multitude was seated, attentively or leisurely, around Jesus, suggesting He was teaching or ministering at length.
  • περὶ αὐτὸν (peri auton): "around Him." This spatial arrangement emphasizes Jesus's centrality and the attentiveness of the crowd to His words. It suggests a close, intimate teaching setting, even amidst a large gathering.
• and they said (καὶ λέγουσιν - kai legousin):
  • λέγουσιν (legousin): This is a historical present tense, giving the narrative immediacy and vividness. It is used often in Mark to draw the reader into the action.
  • "they": The pronoun is indefinite. It could refer to individuals in the crowd passing the message along, or perhaps specific individuals delegated to relay the message. It's not explicitly Jesus's family members speaking directly.
• unto him (αὐτῷ - autō): Directly to Jesus, indicating He is the target recipient of the announcement.
• Behold (Ἰδοὺ - Idou): An interjection used to draw attention, similar to "Look!" or "Pay attention!" It often introduces something important or unexpected that the speaker wants to emphasize. It creates a moment of suspense before the announcement is made.
• thy mother (ἡ μήτηρ σου - hē mētēr sou): Refers to Mary, Jesus's earthly mother. The mention emphasizes the familial, blood-related connection.
• and thy brethren (καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί σου - kai hoi adelphoi sou): Refers to Jesus's biological brothers (mentioned by name in Mk 6:3: James, Joses, Simon, and Judas). In Jewish custom, this term specifically means full blood-brothers. The seeking of His family "without" or "outside" stands in symbolic contrast to those "within" (His disciples, those doing God's will) who are hearing Him.
• without (ἔξω - exō): Literally "outside." This adverb not only specifies their physical location (outside the house where Jesus was teaching) but carries a symbolic weight. It visually separates Jesus's natural family from His spiritual "family" gathered within. In a Gospel where physical movement often parallels spiritual states, "outside" could imply a lack of full understanding or alignment with Jesus's true mission at this point (cf. Mk 3:21).
• seek for thee (ζητοῦσίν σε - zētousin se):
  • ζητοῦσιν (zētousin): Present tense of "to seek," indicating they are actively searching or desiring to interact with Him.
  • "for thee": Indicates Jesus as the object of their search. The exact purpose of their seeking is left unstated in this verse but implied by Mk 3:21 to be out of concern or even apprehension about His public activities.

Words-group analysis

• "And the multitude sat about him": Paints a picture of an engaged audience centered around Jesus, highlighting His popular appeal as a teacher. The passive, seated posture implies attentiveness, setting up the interruption.
• "and they said unto him, Behold": This phrase emphasizes the delivery of a significant message, framed by an exclamation intended to capture Jesus's immediate attention. The "they" suggests intermediaries or spokespersons.
• "thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee": This entire phrase is the core message being delivered. It directly informs Jesus of His earthly family's presence and intention to connect, positioning them literally "outside" the spiritual dynamic occurring "within" the circle of listeners. The natural family seeks to intervene or connect, contrasting with those already listening and open to His divine message.

Mark 3 32 Bonus section

This incident highlights a significant tension present throughout Jesus's ministry: the collision between earthly expectations and divine reality. His natural family's desire to reach Him likely stemmed from well-meaning but worldly concerns, reflecting a common human inclination to prioritize traditional relationships and comfort over a radical spiritual calling. Jesus's response in the subsequent verses (Mk 3:33-35) isn't a rejection of His biological family but an assertion that God's Kingdom demands a new, higher form of allegiance that redefines belonging. This teaches that ultimate spiritual identity and community are forged through shared faith and obedience to God, which transcends bloodlines and often necessitates placing divine callings above familiar obligations. It foreshadows the Church as a spiritual family, united by a common Father and the Spirit.

Mark 3 32 Commentary

Mark 3:32 serves as a pivotal interruption in Jesus's public ministry, creating a powerful didactic moment. It shows Jesus engrossed in teaching, surrounded by an eager crowd, when His earthly family seeks an audience. Their physical position "outside" subtly anticipates Jesus's spiritual redefinition of family. Coming immediately after His refutation of the Beelzebul accusation and the earlier attempt by His family to intervene because they thought He was "out of His mind," this verse sets the stage for Jesus to elevate the spiritual bonds of obedience to God's will above the biological ties of family. It underscores the profound shift initiated by the Kingdom of God, where kinship is defined by alignment with divine purpose, challenging prevailing cultural norms and illustrating the new community forming around Christ through faith and obedience.