Matthew 12:49 Meaning and Explanation
“And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus points to his disciples and calls them his mother and brothers.
What Does Matthew 12:49 Mean?
Jesus stretches out his hand toward his disciples and declares: behold my mother and my brothers. With a gesture and a word he gathers his followers into the circle of his own family. Those who have come to him and listen to him are named as his nearest kin.
The act is full of warmth and welcome. Christ does not hold his disciples at the distance of mere students; he embraces them as family. This is grace beyond measure, that the Son of God should call ordinary followers his brothers and sisters. The hand stretched toward them reaches, in the next verse, toward all who do the will of God, opening his household to everyone who comes to him in faith and obedience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 12:49
What does Matthew 12:49 mean?
Jesus points to his disciples and calls them his mother and brothers.