Mark 3:31 Meaning and Explanation
“There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus' mother and brothers arrive, stand outside, and send word calling for Him.
What Does Mark 3:31 Mean?
Now Jesus' family arrives, His mother and His brothers. They stand outside the crowded house and send a message in to Him, calling for Him to come out. Unable or unwilling to press through the throng, they remain on the edge of the gathering, seeking to draw Him away.
The scene is gentle but charged. Those nearest to Jesus by blood stand outside, while inside sit those who have come to hear Him. Mark sets up a quiet contrast between natural kinship and the new family forming around the word of God. The verse prepares the reader for one of Jesus' most striking teachings, about who truly belongs to Him. Proximity of blood, it will turn out, is not the deepest bond in the kingdom He is building.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 3:31
What does Mark 3:31 mean?
Jesus' mother and brothers arrive, stand outside, and send word calling for Him.