Matthew 12 50

Matthew 12:50 kjv

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Matthew 12:50 nkjv

For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

Matthew 12:50 niv

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Matthew 12:50 esv

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Matthew 12:50 nlt

Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!"

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 50 Meaning

Matthew 12:50 conveys a profound redefinition of family based not on physical kinship, but on spiritual obedience. Jesus declares that His true family — brother, sister, and mother — consists of anyone who actively hears and does the will of God the Father, who is in heaven. This establishes a new spiritual kinship that transcends and takes precedence over earthly ties, highlighting that true relationship with Christ is founded upon submission to God's divine purpose.

Matthew 12 50 Context

Matthew 12:50 stands at the climax of a discussion where Jesus has been challenged by the religious authorities and has asserted His divine authority over the Sabbath, healed, cast out demons, and explained His true allegiance is to the Father. Immediately preceding this verse (Mt 12:46-49), Jesus' mother and brothers arrive, attempting to speak with Him, likely out of concern or perhaps to encourage Him to be less public, possibly thinking He was out of His mind (as suggested in Mk 3:21). The crowd informs Jesus of their presence. Rather than going to them, Jesus uses the occasion to teach a profound lesson on true family. This statement challenges the deeply rooted social structure of Jewish society where physical family ties were paramount, emphasizing that in the Kingdom of God, spiritual connection through obedience to the Father takes precedence over biological lineage. It highlights a radical shift in values initiated by Christ.

Matthew 12 50 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the previous statement. Jesus' previous statement in Matthew 12:49 was a rhetorical question and an act: "And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, 'Behold My mother and My brothers!'" Verse 50 then clarifies why those around Him, the disciples, were His true family. It underscores the causal link between obedience and spiritual kinship.
• whoever (ὅστις - hostis): This pronoun signifies an inclusive, universal applicability. It is open to "anyone who," regardless of background, gender, or previous status. It democratizes the path to spiritual kinship, making it accessible to all who choose to obey God's will.
• does (ποιέω - poieō): This verb means "to do," "to make," or "to perform." It emphasizes active, concrete obedience, not merely passive hearing, intellectual assent, or sentimental feeling. True belonging to Christ's family is demonstrated through actions that align with God's commands and purposes. It implies a lifestyle of obedience.
• the will (θέλημα - thelēma): Refers to God's deliberate intention, desire, or purpose. In the Bible, God's will encompasses His revealed commands, moral principles, and His ultimate plan of salvation for humanity. Doing His will involves recognizing and actively conforming one's life to His perfect blueprint, which includes believing in Christ (Jn 6:40) and living a life of love and righteousness (1 Jn 2:17).
• of My Father (Πατρός μου - Patros mou): Jesus consistently refers to God as "My Father," emphasizing His unique, intimate relationship with the first Person of the Trinity. This phrase also denotes the divine authority and origin of the will to be done. The "Father" here refers to God the Father, distinct from earthly fathers.
• in heaven (ἐν οὐρανοῖς - en ouranois): This phrase reinforces the transcendent nature of God, highlighting His divine sovereignty and holiness. It differentiates the spiritual will of God from any earthly expectations or traditions. It emphasizes that this "will" originates from the ultimate authority and source of all truth, beyond human understanding.
• he is (αὐτός ἐστιν - autos estin): This emphasizes direct identification. The act of doing God's will defines the individual's spiritual relationship with Jesus. It's a statement of intrinsic identity.
• My brother and sister and mother: These terms represent the most intimate, foundational, and nurturing familial bonds in human society. By assigning these labels to those who obey God's will, Jesus elevates spiritual relationships to a level of profound intimacy and importance that surpasses even biological ties.
  • Brother (ἀδελφός - adelphos): Signifies a bond of equality, fellowship, and mutual support within the new spiritual family.
  • Sister (ἀδελφή - adelphē): Includes all women in this new spiritual community, highlighting gender equality within this familial bond, and demonstrating the all-encompassing nature of this spiritual relationship.
  • Mother (μήτηρ - mētēr): Represents the deepest, most foundational nurturing love and intimacy. Jesus uses this term for the greatest honor and closeness, showing the profound affection and acceptance granted to those who do God's will.

Matthew 12 50 Bonus Section

• Foundation for the Church: This verse lays the groundwork for understanding the Church as a new spiritual family. Believers, regardless of their earthly heritage, are brought into an intimate relationship with Christ and with one another as children of God, brothers and sisters in Christ. This shared spiritual bond is meant to be stronger and more enduring than any earthly connection.
• A Call to Prioritization: The statement serves as a powerful call to discipleship, demanding a radical reordering of loyalties. It implies that following Christ may, at times, require putting God's will above the expectations or even needs of one's biological family, as further amplified in passages like Luke 14:26.
• Active vs. Passive Faith: The emphasis on "doing" (ποιέω - poieō) distinguishes true discipleship from passive hearing or mere religious affiliation. It is not enough to know God's will; it must be diligently practiced, becoming the guiding principle of one's life. This aligns with Jesus' warning in Matthew 7:21.
• Authentic Discipleship: Jesus' response is not a rejection of His biological family but rather an affirmation that true spiritual connection is determined by one's relationship with God, characterized by obedient action. This defines genuine discipleship as one rooted in responsive action to God's leading, not merely proximity to Christ's person.

Matthew 12 50 Commentary

Matthew 12:50 encapsulates a foundational principle of the Kingdom of God: true kinship with Jesus is forged not by earthly descent or relationship, but by active and obedient submission to the Father's will. This declaration comes as Jesus' own earthly family seeks Him, providing a poignant contrast between carnal ties and spiritual allegiance. Jesus, by stretching out His hand toward His disciples (Mt 12:49), visually illustrates who He considers His real family. It's a radical inversion of societal norms, challenging the paramount importance placed on biological family in ancient Jewish culture.

This verse teaches that the Church, the community of believers, is Jesus' true spiritual family, bound by a shared commitment to God's divine purpose. Membership in this family is inclusive, available to "whoever" acts on God's will. The emphasis is on doing, signifying that genuine faith is active, translating into a life of practical obedience, not just intellectual agreement or outward profession. This is a call to radical discipleship where the priority of God's will surpasses all other loyalties. It signifies adoption into the household of God, becoming joint heirs with Christ through a relationship rooted in mutual obedience and love for the Father.

• Practical Example: A Christian youth who chooses to follow biblical teachings on morality and stewardship, even when it means facing ridicule or misunderstanding from immediate family members who do not share those values, exemplifies "doing the will of the Father." Their loyalty to Christ defines their truest familial bond.
• Practical Example: A group of believers from diverse ethnic or social backgrounds treating one another with the love, forgiveness, and sacrificial care typically reserved for closest relatives, recognizing their shared spiritual identity in Christ, illustrates this spiritual kinship.