Why did Jesus reject His family on earth?

Jesus did not reject His family on earth. In Matthew 12, He taught that His family included not just His immediate relatives but all who are obedient to the Word of God. The door to closeness to Christ is the obedience of faith; all who submit themselves to the practice of the Word may be as near to Him as His own mother and brothers were.

Matthew 12: 46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.

47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”

49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.

50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (NIV)

Only those who hear and obey the Word of God are personally related to Jesus and are a part of God’s family. Faith without obedience is not an option in God’s spiritual family. 

Relationship with Christ surpasses family ties no matter how close they may be.

Parallel Verses:

Mark 3:31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.

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

33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!

35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (NIV)

Luke 8:19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd.

20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” (NIV)

Suggested Readings:    

The International Inductive Study New Testament (New    

        Berkeley Version)

Full Life Study Bible, NIV


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