Matthew 12:46

Behold, his mother and his brethren— See ch. Matthew 13:55. Mary was attended by her sister's children, who were the cousins, or, according to the Hebrew dialect, the brethren of Christ, (see on ch. Matthew 10:2.) and who waited on her during her stay in Capernaum; a piece of respect which her blessed Son could not shew, on account of the duties of his ministry. It was on occasion of their application to him, that Jesus uttered that excellent saying in the subsequent verses, which will never be forgotten while there are memories in the world to retain it, or tongues to repe