Mark 3 35

Mark 3:35 kjv

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Mark 3:35 nkjv

For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."

Mark 3:35 niv

Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

Mark 3:35 esv

For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother."

Mark 3:35 nlt

Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

Mark 3 verses

Mark 3 35 Meaning

Mark 3:35 declares that Jesus' true family comprises not those bound by biological ties, but those who actively obey the will of God. This profound statement redefines kinship, establishing a new spiritual family based on submission to divine purpose, emphasizing that shared commitment to God's plan transcends earthly relationships and confers the deepest intimacy with Christ.

Mark 3 35 Context

Mark 3:35 follows immediately after a significant exchange where Jesus' biological family (His mother and brothers) arrive, reportedly seeking to take charge of Him, possibly thinking Him "out of His mind" (Mark 3:21). When informed that His family is outside asking for Him (Mark 3:31-32), Jesus responds with this pivotal declaration in verses 33-35.

This redefinition of family is profound within the larger context of Mark chapter 3. The chapter opens with Jesus performing miracles and facing escalating opposition from the religious authorities who accuse Him of blasphemy and working by the power of Beelzebul. He counters their accusation with a teaching on the unpardonable sin (Mark 3:22-30). Against this backdrop of intense spiritual conflict and misunderstanding, Jesus reasserts His priorities and identifies His true allegiances. His statement not only subordinates biological ties to spiritual ones but also distinguishes between those who truly follow God's plan (His spiritual family) and those who oppose or fail to comprehend it (like some among His own household or the unbelieving religious leaders). This redefinition emphasizes that entry into His intimate circle and God's Kingdom is based on active obedience, not on lineage or social standing. In Jewish culture, family was paramount; Jesus' words thus challenge a foundational societal structure to highlight the absolute primacy of allegiance to God's will.

Mark 3 35 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A conjunctive particle. It serves to provide a reason or explanation for the preceding statement, specifically for Jesus' re-questioning of "Who are My mother and My brothers?" and His subsequent answer in verse 34.
• whoever (ὃς ἄν, hos an): This indefinite relative pronoun indicates a universal, inclusive principle. It implies "anyone at all," regardless of their background, gender, or social status. This breaks down conventional barriers and expands the concept of family far beyond ethnicity or physical descent.
• does (ποιέω, poieō): This Greek verb signifies active doing, making, performing, or carrying out. It stresses the necessity of action and obedience, distinguishing from mere hearing, intellectual assent, or passive belief. It implies a life characterized by consistent, deliberate living out of God's precepts.
• the will (τὸ θέλημα, to thelēma): Refers to God's desire, purpose, intention, or divine counsel. It's not a suggestion but a directive from the sovereign God. This includes God's moral commands, His redemptive plan, and His ultimate design for humanity, understood and lived out through Christ.
• of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ, tou Theou): Designates the divine source and ultimate authority. This clarifies that the "will" is specifically God's, aligning one's life with the creator's purpose. It points to a God-centered existence.
• he is (οὗτος ἐστίν, houtos estin): "This one is." A strong, definitive declaration of identity and association. It establishes a direct link between the person and the familial relationship with Jesus.
• My brother (ἀδελφός μου, adelphos mou): Signifies a male sibling or, more broadly, a fellow member of the same spiritual family. It denotes equality in spiritual status, shared inheritance, and a close, supportive bond with Jesus.
• and sister (καὶ ἀδελφὴ, kai adelphē): Emphasizes inclusivity of gender within this spiritual family, extending the privilege of this close relationship to women who obey God's will, not just men. It implies shared spiritual birth and status.
• and mother (καὶ μήτηρ, kai mētēr): This is the most profound and tender connection mentioned, representing the closest possible human bond—one of deep care, nurturing, and intimacy. By including "mother," Jesus elevates obedient followers to the most cherished position, signifying deep affection, spiritual fruitfulness, and profound closeness to Him.

Words-group analysis:

• "whoever does the will of God": This entire phrase functions as the critical qualification for true kinship with Jesus. It highlights the active, obedient agent as the central criterion, emphasizing works born of faith rather than mere profession or familial lineage. It establishes a path accessible to anyone willing to align their life with divine purpose.
• "he is My brother and sister and mother": This phrase constitutes the ultimate affirmation and redefinition of family. The tripartite grouping underscores the full spectrum of intimacy, mutual care, and belonging that characterized the closest human relationships, now transferred and elevated to the spiritual realm through obedience to God. It portrays a deep, loving, and supportive spiritual household centered on Christ.

Mark 3 35 Bonus section

This verse directly addresses the priority of spiritual family over biological family, a revolutionary concept in an honor-shame society where family lineage and loyalty were central to identity. Jesus subtly redefines where true honor and belonging reside. It also provides a criterion for discipleship: simply being "close" to Jesus physically or relationally isn't enough; active participation in God's will is required. This verse aligns with the overall theme of the Kingdom of God superseding earthly structures and points to the radical nature of Jesus' ministry. It demonstrates Jesus' consistent focus on action and inward transformation rather than external or inherited status, reinforcing that the Kingdom of God is accessible through a responsive heart and obedient life.

Mark 3 35 Commentary

Mark 3:35 is a foundational statement in understanding Christian discipleship and the nature of God's Kingdom. At a moment when Jesus' biological family seems to misinterpret or oppose His divine mission, He pivots to articulate that genuine relationship with Him is determined by spiritual allegiance, not by physical descent or bloodline. His declaration elevates active obedience to God's will as the paramount factor defining true kinship. This doesn't necessarily devalue earthly family but clarifies that allegiance to God transcends all other loyalties.

The profound implication is that anyone, regardless of their background, who actively lives in conformity with God's desires—demonstrating faith through obedience—becomes part of an intimate, cherished family with Jesus Himself. This new family, the spiritual household of God, is bound by shared spiritual commitment, mutual care, and collective pursuit of divine purposes. It speaks to a deep intimacy, implying that those who align themselves with God's will are embraced by Christ as closely as a sibling or a nurturing mother. It is a powerful call to intentional, active, and unwavering commitment to the will of God, for in doing so, one enters into the closest possible relationship with the Savior.

Examples:

• A new believer from a non-Christian background might experience alienation from their biological family, but through obedience to Christ, they gain a far deeper spiritual family in the church.
• Serving in humility and compassion in practical ways (e.g., caring for the poor, comforting the grieving) aligns with God's will and deepens one's bond with Christ.
• Choosing to forgive those who have wronged us, despite personal pain, demonstrates obedience to God's command to love enemies, reflecting the will of God and solidifying spiritual kinship.