μήτηρ μου. Not ἡ μήτηρ. ‘Mother and brethren to me are those who,’ &c.

οὗτοί εἰσιν. The demonstrative implies the “looking round at those sitting in a circle about Him” of Mark 3:34, and the “stretching forth His hand towards His disciples” of Matthew 12:49. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14; comp. Luke 2:49; John 2:4; John 14:21; Hebrews 2:11). His earthly relatives needed the lesson that they must recognise in Him a Being who stood far above all relationships “after the flesh” (2 Corinthians 5:16). Even disciples must “hate” father and mother in comparison with Christ (comp. Deuteronomy 33:9).

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Old Testament