Matthew 12:46

Matthew 12:46. While he was yet speaking to the multitudes. This definite expression fixes the occasion.

His mother and brethren. On the brethren of our Lord, see chap. Matthew 13:55.

Stood, ‘or were standing,' without. Either outside the crowd or the house; it is not certain that He was in a house. They remained there unsuccessfully (Luke 8:19), seeking to speak with him. A sufficient motive should be looked for. It was probably affectionate solicitude for His safety (see on Mark 3:21), in consequence of the open rupture with the Pharisees; also for His health, since He had not time to eat (Mark 3:20). It is uncertain whether His friends really thought He was beside Himself or only said so to screen Him (Mark 3:21). They probably did not doubt Him, but mistook their duty, and adopted a worldly policy, which though natural and prompted by genuine affection deserved the rebuke here implied. In any case the faith of Mary His mother must have grown stronger before the crucifixion. Luke (Luke 11:27-28) places immediately after the discourse just narrated, the exclamation of a woman, referring to His mother (‘Blessed is the womb,' etc.),as if Mary's presence had occasioned it. The response there recorded is similar in character to Matthew 12:50 of this chapter.