1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.
13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.
14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;
17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.
20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
1 And G2532 he entered G1525 again G3825 into G1519 the synagogue; G4864 and G2532 there was G2258 a man G444 there G1563 which had G2192 a withered G3583 hand. G5495
2 And G2532 they watched G3906 him, G846 whether G1487 he would heal G2323 him G846 on the sabbath day; G4521 that G2443 they might accuse G2723 him. G846
3 And G2532 he saith G3004 unto the man G444 which had G2192 the withered G3583 hand, G5495 Stand G1453 forth. G1519 G3319
4 And G2532 he saith G3004 unto them, G846 Is it lawful G1832 to do good G15 on the sabbath days, G4521 or G2228 to do evil? G2554 to save G4982 life, G5590 or G2228 to kill? G615 But G1161 they held their peace. G4623
5 And G2532 when he had looked round about G4017 on them G846 with G3326 anger, G3709 being grieved G4818 for G1909 the hardness G4457 of their G846 hearts, G2588 he saith G3004 unto the man, G444 Stretch forth G1614 thine G4675 hand. G5495 And G2532 he stretched it out: G1614 and G2532 his G846 hand G5495 was restored G600 whole G5199 as G5613 the other. G243
6 And G2532 the Pharisees G5330 went forth, G1831 and straightway G2112 took G4160 counsel G4824 with G3326 the Herodians G2265 against G2596 him, G846 how G3704 they might destroy G622 him. G846
7 But G2532 Jesus G2424 withdrew himself G402 with G3326 his G846 disciples G3101 to G4314 the sea: G2281 and G2532 a great G4183 multitude G4128 from G575 Galilee G1056 followed G190 him, G846 and G2532 from G575 Judaea, G2449
8 And G2532 from G575 Jerusalem, G2414 and G2532 from G575 Idumaea, G2401 and G2532 from beyond G4008 Jordan; G2446 and G2532 they about G4012 Tyre G5184 and G2532 Sidon, G4605 a great G4183 multitude, G4128 when they had heard G191 what great things G3745 he did, G4160 came G2064 unto G4314 him. G846
9 And G2532 he spake G2036 to his G846 disciples, G3101 that G2443 a small ship G4142 should wait on G4342 him G846 because G1223 of the multitude, G3793 lest G3363 they should throng G2346 him. G846
10 For G1063 he had healed G2323 many; G4183 insomuch that G5620 they pressed upon G1968 him G846 for to G2443 touch G680 him, G846 as many as G3745 had G2192 plagues. G3148
11 And G2532 unclean G169 spirits, G4151 when G3752 they saw G2334 him, G846 fell down before G4363 him, G846 and G2532 cried, G2896 saying, G3004 G3754 Thou G4771 art G1488 the Son G5207 of God. G2316
12 And G2532 he straitly G4183 charged G2008 them G846 that G3363 they should G4160 not G3363 make G4160 him G846 known. G5318
13 And G2532 he goeth up G305 into G1519 a mountain, G3735 and G2532 calleth G4341 unto him whom G3739 he G846 would: G2309 and G2532 they came G565 unto G4314 him. G846
14 And G2532 he ordained G4160 twelve, G1427 that G2443 they should be G5600 with G3326 him, G846 and G2532 that G2443 he might send G649 them G846 forth G649 to preach, G2784
15 And G2532 to have G2192 power G1849 to heal G2323 sicknesses, G3554 and G2532 to cast out G1544 devils: G1140
16 And G2532 Simon G4613 he surnamed G2007 G3686 Peter; G4074
17 And G2532 James G2385 the son G3588 of Zebedee, G2199 and G2532 John G2491 the brother G80 of James; G2385 and G2532 he surnamed G2007 G3686 them G846 Boanerges, G993 which is, G3603 The sons G5207 of thunder: G1027
18 And G2532 Andrew, G406 and G2532 Philip, G5376 and G2532 Bartholomew, G918 and G2532 Matthew, G3156 and G2532 Thomas, G2381 and G2532 James G2385 the son G3588 of Alphaeus, G256 and G2532 Thaddaeus, G2280 and G2532 Simon G4613 the Canaanite, G2581
19 And G2532 Judas G2455 Iscariot, G2469 which G3739 also G2532 betrayed G3860 him: G846 and G2532 they went G2064 into G1519 an house. G3624
20 And G2532 the multitude G3793 cometh together G4905 again, G3825 so that G5620 they G846 could G1410 not G3361 so much as G3383 eat G5315 bread. G740
21 And G2532 when his G846 friends G3844 heard G191 of it, they went out G1831 to lay hold G2902 on him: G846 for G1063 they said, G3004 G3754 He is beside himself. G1839
22 And G2532 the scribes G1122 which G3588 came down G2597 from G575 Jerusalem G2414 said, G3004 G3754 He hath G2192 Beelzebub, G954 G3754 and G2532 by G1722 the prince G758 of the devils G1140 casteth he out G1544 devils. G1140
23 And G2532 he called G4341 them G846 unto him, and said G3004 unto them G846 in G1722 parables, G3850 How G4459 can G1410 Satan G4567 cast out G1544 Satan? G4567
24 And G2532 if G1437 a kingdom G932 be divided G3307 against G1909 itself, G1438 that G1565 kingdom G932 cannot G3756 G1410 stand. G2476
25 And G2532 if G1437 a house G3614 be divided G3307 against G1909 itself, G1438 that G1565 house G3614 cannot G3756 G1410 stand. G2476
26 And G2532 if G1487 Satan G4567 rise up G450 against G1909 himself, G1438 and G2532 be divided, G3307 he cannot G3756 G1410 stand, G2476 but G235 hath G2192 an end. G5056
27 No man G3762 can G3756 G1410 enter G1525 into G1519 a strong man's G2478 house, G3614 and spoil G1283 his G846 goods, G4632 except G3362 he will G1210 first G4412 bind G1210 the strong man; G2478 and G2532 then G5119 he will spoil G1283 his G846 house. G3614
28 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 All G3956 sins G265 shall be forgiven G863 unto the sons G5207 of men, G444 and G2532 blasphemies G988 wherewith G3745 soever G302 they shall blaspheme: G987
29 But G1161 he G3739 that G302 shall blaspheme G987 against G1519 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 hath G2192 never G3756 G1519 G165 forgiveness, G859 but G235 is G2076 in danger G1777 of eternal G166 damnation: G2920
30 Because G3754 they said, G3004 He hath G2192 an unclean G169 spirit. G4151
31 There came G2064 then G3767 his G846 brethren G80 and G2532 his mother, G3384 and, G2532 standing G2476 without, G1854 sent G649 unto G4314 him, G846 calling G5455 him. G846
32 And G2532 the multitude G3793 sat G2521 about G4012 him, G846 and G1161 they said G2036 unto him, G846 Behold, G2400 thy G4675 mother G3384 and G2532 thy G4675 brethren G80 without G1854 seek for G2212 thee. G4571
33 And G2532 he answered G611 them, G846 saying, G3004 Who G5101 is G2076 my G3450 mother, G3384 or G2228 my G3450 brethren? G80
34 And G2532 he looked G4017 round about G2945 on them which G3588 sat G2521 about G4012 him, G846 and said, G3004 Behold G2396 my G3450 mother G3384 and G2532 my G3450 brethren! G80
35 For G1063 whosoever G3739 G302 shall do G4160 the will G2307 of God, G2316 the same G3778 is G2076 my G3450 brother, G80 and G2532 my G3450 sister, G79 and G2532 mother. G3384
1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there who had his hand withered.
2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
3 And he saith unto the man that had his hand withered, Stand forth.
4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful on the sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored.
6 And the Pharisees went out, and straightway with the Herodians took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.
7 And Jesus with his disciples withdrew to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and from Judaea,
8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and beyond the Jordan, and about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came unto him.
9 And he spake to his disciples, that a little boat should wait on him because of the crowd, lest they should throng him:
10 for he had healed many; insomuch that as many as had plagues pressed upon him that they might touch him.
11 And the unclean spirits, whensoever they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
12 And he charged them much that they should not make him known.
13 And he goeth up into the mountain, and calleth unto him whom he himself would; and they went unto him.
14 And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
15 and to have authority to cast out demons:
16 and Simon he surnamed Peter;
17 and James the `son' of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and them he surnamed Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder:
18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the `son' of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean,
19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. And he cometh into a house.
20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
21 And when his friends heard it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
22 And the scribes that came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the demons casteth he out the demons.
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
26 And if Satan hath rise up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
27 But no one can enter into the house of the strong `man', and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong `man'; and then he will spoil his house.
28 Verily I say unto you, All their sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and their blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 but whosoever shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin:
30 because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
31 And there come his mother and his brethren; and, standing without, they sent unto him, calling him.
32 And a multitude was sitting about him; and they say unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
33 And he answereth them, and saith, Who is my mother and my brethren?
34 And looking round on them that sat round about him, he saith, Behold, my mother and my brethren!
35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
1 And he entered again into the synagogue, and there was there a man having the hand withered,
2 and they were watching him, whether on the sabbaths he will heal him, that they might accuse him.
3 And he saith to the man having the hand withered, `Rise up in the midst.'
4 And he saith to them, `Is it lawful on the sabbaths to do good, or to do evil? life to save, or to kill?' but they were silent.
5 And having looked round upon them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their heart, he saith to the man, `Stretch forth thy hand;' and he stretched forth, and his hand was restored whole as the other;
6 and the Pharisees having gone forth, immediately, with the Herodians, were taking counsel against him how they might destroy him.
7 And Jesus withdrew with his disciples unto the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea,
8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon -- a great multitude -- having heard how great things he was doing, came unto him.
9 And he said to his disciples that a little boat may wait on him, because of the multitude, that they may not press upon him,
10 for he did heal many, so that they threw themselves on him, in order to touch him -- as many as had plagues;
11 and the unclean spirits, when they were seeing him, were falling down before him, and were crying, saying -- `Thou art the Son of God;'
12 and many times he was charging them that they might not make him manifest.
13 And he goeth up to the mountain, and doth call near whom he willed, and they went away to him;
14 and he appointed twelve, that they may be with him, and that he may send them forth to preach,
15 and to have power to heal the sicknesses, and to cast out the demons.
16 And he put on Simon the name Peter;
17 and James of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, and he put on them names -- Boanerges, that is, `Sons of thunder;'
18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Cananite,
19 and Judas Iscariot, who did also deliver him up; and they come into a house.
20 And come together again doth a multitude, so that they are not able even to eat bread;
21 and his friends having heard, went forth to lay hold on him, for they said that he was beside himself,
22 and the scribes who `are' from Jerusalem having come down, said -- `He hath Beelzeboul,' and -- `By the ruler of the demons he doth cast out the demons.'
23 And, having called them near, in similes he said to them, `How is the Adversary able to cast out the Adversary?
24 and if a kingdom against itself be divided, that kingdom cannot be made to stand;
25 and if a house against itself be divided, that house cannot be made to stand;
26 and if the Adversary did rise against himself, and hath been divided, he cannot be made to stand, but hath an end.
27 `No one is able the vessels of the strong man -- having entered into his house -- to spoil, if first he may not bind the strong man, and then his house he will spoil.
28 `Verily I say to you, that all the sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and evil speakings with which they might speak evil,
29 but whoever may speak evil in regard to the Holy Spirit hath not forgiveness -- to the age, but is in danger of age-during judgment;'
30 because they said, `He hath an unclean spirit.'
31 Then come do his brethren and mother, and standing without, they sent unto him, calling him,
32 and a multitude was sitting about him, and they said to him, `Lo, thy mother and thy brethren without do seek thee.'
33 And he answered them, saying, `Who is my mother, or my brethren?'
34 And having looked round in a circle to those sitting about him, he saith, `Lo, my mother and my brethren!
35 for whoever may do the will of God, he is my brother, and my sister, and mother.'
1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was there a man having his hand dried up.
2 And they watched him if he would heal him on the sabbath, that they might accuse him.
3 And he says to the man who had his hand dried up, Rise up [and come] into the midst.
4 And he says to them, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? But they were silent.
5 And looking round upon them with anger, distressed at the hardening of their heart, he says to the man, Stretch out thy hand. And he stretched [it] out, and his hand was restored.
6 And the Pharisees going out straightway with the Herodians took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.
7 And Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea; and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea and beyond the Jordan; and they of around Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, having heard what things he did, came to him.
9 And he spoke to his disciples, in order that a little ship should wait upon him on account of the crowd, that they might not press upon him.
10 For he healed many, so that they beset him that they might touch him, as many as had plagues.
11 And the unclean spirits, when they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried saying, *Thou* art the Son of God.
12 And he rebuked them much, that they might not make him manifest.
13 And he goes up into the mountain, and calls whom he himself would, and they went to him.
14 And he appointed twelve that they might be with him, and that he might send them to preach,
15 and to have power [to heal diseases, and] to cast out demons.
16 And he gave to Simon the surname of Peter;
17 and James the [son] of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, and he gave them the surname of Boanerges, that is, Sons of thunder;
18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean,
19 and Judas Iscariote, who also delivered him up. And they come to [the] house.
20 And again a crowd comes together, so that they cannot even eat bread.
21 And his relatives having heard [of it] went out to lay hold on him, for they said, He is out of his mind.
22 And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the demons he casts out demons.
23 And having called them to [him], he said to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom has become divided against itself, that kingdom cannot subsist.
25 And if a house has become divided against itself, that house cannot subsist.
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and is divided, he cannot subsist, but has an end.
27 But no one can, having entered into his house, plunder the goods of the strong [man] unless he first bind the strong [man], and then he will plunder his house.
28 Verily I say unto you, that all sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and all the injurious speeches [with] which they may speak injuriously;
29 but whosoever shall speak injuriously against the Holy Spirit, to eternity has no forgiveness; but lies under the guilt of an everlasting sin;
30 -- because they said, He has an unclean spirit.
31 And his brethren and his mother come, and standing without sent to him calling him.
32 And a crowd sat around him. And they said to him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren seek thee without.
33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother or my brethren?
34 And looking around in a circuit at those that were sitting around him, he says, Behold my mother and my brethren:
35 for whosoever shall do the will of God, *he* is my brother, and sister, and mother.
1 He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered.
2 They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him.
3 He said to the man who had his hand withered, "Stand up."
4 He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?" But they were silent.
5 When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.
6 The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,
8 from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him.
9 He spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn't press on him.
10 For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him.
11 The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, "You are the Son of God!"
12 He sternly warned them that they should not make him known.
13 He went up into the mountain, and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him.
14 He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach,
15 and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:
16 Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter;
17 James the son of Zebedee; John, the brother of James, and he surnamed them Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder;
18 Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;
19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. He came into a house.
20 The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
21 When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him: for they said, "He is insane."
22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul," and, "By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons."
23 He summoned them, and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26 If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can't stand, but has an end.
27 But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will plunder his house.
28 Most assuredly I tell you, all of the children of men's sins will be forgiven them, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme;
29 but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"
30 -- because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."
31 His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
32 A multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, "Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters{TR omits "your sisters"} are outside looking for you."
33 He answered them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"
34 Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, "Behold, my mother and my brothers!
35 For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."
1 And he went again into the Synagogue; and there was a man there whose hand was dead.
2 And they were watching him to see if he would make him well on the Sabbath day, so that they might have something against him.
3 And he said to the man, Get up and come forward.
4 And he said to them, Is it right to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil? to give life or to put to death? But they said nothing.
5 And looking round on them he was angry, being sad because of their hard hearts; and he said to the man, Put out your hand. And he put it out, and his hand was made well.
6 And the Pharisees went out, and straight away made designs with the Herodians about how they might put him to death.
7 And Jesus went away with his disciples to the sea, and a great number from Galilee came after him: and from Judaea,
8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and the other side of Jordan, and the country about Tyre and Sidon, a great number, hearing what great things he did, came to him.
9 And he made a request to his disciples to have a little boat ready for him, so that he might not be crushed by the people;
10 For he had made such a great number well that all those who were diseased were falling down before him for the purpose of touching him.
11 And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, went down before him, crying out, and saying, You are the Son of God.
12 And he gave them special orders not to say who he was.
13 And he went up into the mountain, and sent for those whom it was his pleasure to have with him: and they went to him.
14 And he took twelve to be with him, so that he might send them out as preachers,
15 And give them the power of driving out evil spirits:
16 To Simon he gave the second name of Peter;
17 And to James, the son of Zebedee, and John, the brother of James, he gave the second name of Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder:
18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot;
19 And Judas Iscariot, who was false to him.
20 And he went into a house. And the people came together again, so that they were not even able to take bread.
21 And when his friends had news of it, they went out to get him, saying, He is off his head.
22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem, said, He has Beelzebub, and, By the ruler of evil spirits he sends evil spirits out of men.
23 And turning to them, he said to them in the form of a story, How is it possible for Satan to put out Satan?
24 If there is division in a kingdom, that kingdom will come to destruction;
25 And if there is division in a house, that house will come to destruction;
26 And if Satan is at war with himself, and there is division in him, he will not keep his place but will come to an end.
27 But no one is able to go into the house of the strong man and take his goods, without first putting cords round the strong man, and then he will take his goods.
28 Truly, I say to you, The sons of men will have forgiveness for all their sins and for all the evil words they say:
29 But whoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but the evil he has done will be with him for ever:
30 Because they said, He has an unclean spirit.
31 And his mother and brothers came and were outside, and sent for him, requesting to see him.
32 And a great number were seated round him; and they said to him, See, your mother and your brothers are outside looking for you.
33 And he said in answer, Who are my mother and my brothers?
34 And looking round at those who were seated about him, he said, See, my mother and my brothers!
35 Whoever does God's pleasure, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » John Gill's Exposition of the Bible » Commentary on Mark 3
Commentary on Mark 3 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
And he entered again into the synagogue,.... Perhaps in Capernaum, where he had before cast out the unclean spirit; but not on the same day, nor on that day he had had the debate with the Pharisees, about his disciples plucking the ears of corn on the sabbath day; but on another sabbath, perhaps the next; see Luke 6:6.
And there was a man there which had a withered hand; who came there either for a cure, knowing Christ to be in the synagogue, or for the sake of worship; See Gill on Matthew 12:10.
And they watched him,.... The ruler of the synagogue, and the principal men in it; particularly the Scribes and Pharisees, who followed him wherever he went; they observed him diligently, and kept their eyes upon him; this lame man being in the synagogue, to see
whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; which, knowing his readiness to do good, they might expect he would:
that they might accuse him; as they had accused his disciples before, of the violation of the sabbath: according to the Evangelist Matthew, they put a question to him, whether it was lawful to heal on the sabbath day? with this view, that they might, one way or another, have something to accuse him of, either to the people, or to the sanhedrim; See Gill on Matthew 12:10.
And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand,.... After he had reasoned with them from the lesser to the greater, upon their own principles and practices, in relieving and taking out a sheep fallen into a ditch, on a sabbath day, Matthew 12:10, and knowing "their thoughts", as Luke says, Luke 6:8, their reasonings and designs; and as the Persic version here, from thence "understanding their conspiracy", turns himself to the lame man, and bids him
stand forth: or, as in Luke, "rise up and stand forth in the midst", Luke 6:8. He bid him rise up from his seat, and stand forth in the midst of the synagogue: this he said, partly to raise the attention of the people to the following miracle; and partly to move commiseration upon the sight of the object; and to aggravate the hard heartedness of the Pharisees; as also, that it might be manifest to all, that the man's hand was really withered; and that there was no fraud in the following cure.
And he saith unto them,.... Either to the whole multitude, to all the assembly in the synagogue; and so the Persic version renders it, "again he said to the multitude"; or rather, to the Scribes and Pharisees, who were watching him, and had put a question to him, which he answers by another:
is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil, to save life, or to kill? The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions read, or "to destroy", as in Luke 6:9, To do evil, kill, or destroy, are not lawful at any time; and to do good, and to save life, must be right at all times: our Lord has a particular view to the Scribes and Pharisees, and the question is put home to their own consciences; whose hearts and thoughts, designs and views, were all open to Christ; and who were now watching to do evil to him, and even to destroy and take away his life: for the violation of the sabbath was death by the law, and this was what they sought to accuse him of: now he puts the question to them, and makes them judges which must appear most right and just in the sight of God and men, for him to heal this poor man of his withered hand, though on the sabbath day; which would be doing a good and beneficent action to him, whereby his life would be saved, and preserved with comfort and usefulness, and he would be in a capacity of getting his livelihood; or for them to cherish an evil intention against him, to seek to bring mischief on him; and not only destroy his character and usefulness as much as in them lay, but even take away his very life also: he leaves it with them to consider of which was most agreeable to the law of God, the nature of a sabbath, and the good of mankind;
but they held their peace; or "were silent", not being able to return an answer, but what must have been in his favour, and to their own confusion, and therefore chose to say nothing.
And when he had looked round about on them,.... In the several parts of the synagogue; for there were many of them on every side of him; which he might do, to observe their countenances, which might justly fall, upon such a close question put to them, and what answer they would return to him: and his look upon them was
with anger, with a stern countenance, which showed indignation at them, though without sin, or any desire of revenge, for the evil they were meditating against him; for at the same time he had pity and compassion for them,
being grieved for the hardness of their hearts: or "the blindness of their hearts", as the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions render it; being troubled in his human soul, both at their inhumanity and cruelty to a miserable object, whose cure, in their opinion, would have been a breach of the sabbath; and to himself, having a malicious design against him, should he perform it; and at their stupidity and ignorance of the law of God, the nature and design of the sabbath, and of their duty to God, and their fellow creatures: wherefore as one not to be intimidated by their evil designs against him, or prevented thereby from doing good,
he saith unto the man, stretch forth thine hand; that is, the lame one; and such power went along with his words, as at once effected a cure:
and he stretched it out, and his hand was restored whole as the other. This last clause, "whole as the other", is not in the Vulgate Latin, nor in the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; and may be added from Matthew 12:13; see the note there; since it is wanting in the Alexandrian copy, and in Beza's most ancient copy, and in others.
And the Pharisees went forth,.... Out of the synagogue, being dreadfully galled with the reasonings of Christ, at the silence and confusion they were put to, and with the miracle he wrought, to the exposing of them, and establishing his own credit:
and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him: See Gill on Matthew 22:16.
How they might destroy him: persisting still in their evil intentions, though Christ had so fully and clearly exposed the wickedness of them: and it is to be observed, that those men who thought it was not lawful to heal a lame man on the sabbath day, yet make no scruple of meeting and consulting together on that day, and even with profane men, what measures and methods were best to take, to destroy the life of an innocent person.
But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea,.... Knowing their evil designs against him, he departed out of the synagogue, and city of Capernaum; and taking his disciples with him, he went to the shore of the sea of Galilee; not out of fear, but because his time was not yet come, and he had more work to do:
and a great multitude from Galilee: from the several parts of it, in which country he now was:
and from Judea: that part of the land of Israel, which was particularly so called, and belonged to the tribe of Judah.
And from Jerusalem,.... The metropolis of the country of Judea;
and from Idumea, or Edom, as the Syriac version reads it; a country that lay on the south of Judea, formerly inhabited by the sons of Edom, but now by Jews; or at least the inhabitants of it were proselytes to the Jewish religion. Mention is made of the plains of Idumea, along with Gazera, Azotus, and Jamnia, as in 1Maccabees:
"Howbeit all the hindmost of them were slain with the sword: for they pursued them unto Gazera, and unto the plains of Idumea, and Azotus, and Jamnia, so that there were slain of them upon a three thousand men.' (1 Maccabees 4:15)
PlinyF20Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 12. speaks of Idumea and Judea together, as a part of Syria; and Ptolemy saysF21Geograph. l. 5. c. 16. , this country lies on the west of the river Jordan; and it is here added,
and from beyond Jordan; the country of Peraea, on the east of Jordan:
and they about Tyre and Sidon; either the inhabitants of these places, as the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions favour, reading "a great company from Tyre and Sidon"; or those that lived near the borders, and upon the confines of these cities of Phoenicia:
a great multitude; when all met together, from these several parts; who
when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him: for his fame went through all the countries, for the miracles he wrought; which drew this vast concourse of people after him; and who, inquiring where he was, came to him at the sea of Galilee.
And he spake unto his disciples,.... In an authoritative way; he ordered and commanded them,
that a small ship should wait on him: that a boat should be got ready, be near at hand, and attend him, who was on shore; that he might go into it, should there be any occasion for it; and from thence preach to the people:
because of the multitude; which came from the above parts, and all together made a very numerous body of people:
lest they should throng him; crowd, press, afflict, and distress, and make him uneasy, that he could not be able to stand conveniently, and preach to them: so that should this be the case, as it was very likely it would, having a small vessel near the shore, he could go into it, and free himself from such an inconvenience.
For he had healed many,.... Of various diseases, and the fame of this brought more still to him:
insomuch that they pressed upon him; or pushed upon him, with great eagerness and violence. The Arabic version renders it, "they rushed upon him, so that they fell": they pushed on, and pressed so hard to get to him, that they fell upon one another, and on him: the Persic version renders it, "they cast themselves on him, for the sake of touching him"; which must be very troublesome indeed. Though some think the phrase signifies no more, than that they fell down before him at his feet, in a submissive and petitionary way, entreating they might have the favour
for to touch him; either any part of his body, or his garments, even the hem of them: and so the Ethiopic version translates the words; "they prayed him that they might touch him"; see Mark 6:56.
As many as had plagues; of leprosy, and other diseases, which were inflicted on them by God, as scourges and chastisements for their sins, as the word signifies, and which answers to נגעים, "Negaim"; concerning which, there is a whole treatise in the Misna; and which bears that name, and particularly regards the plagues of leprosy. Some versions join this with the beginning of the next verse. The Syriac version reads thus, "who had plagues of unclean spirits"; as if these plagues were their being possessed by unclean spirits. The Persic version thus, "having plagues from unclean spirits"; as if these plagues were inflicted upon them by them, and which was sometimes the case. The Arabic version after this manner, "who had diseases and unclean spirits"; both the one and the other.
And unclean spirits, when they saw him,.... That is, as the Syriac and Arabic versions read, "they who had unclean spirits": or, as the Ethiopic, "they that were possessed with unclean spirits"; as soon as ever they beheld Christ, though they had never seen him before, and he was an entire stranger to them, yet
fell down before him: the unclean spirits being said to do that, which they that were possessed with them did; and which, notwithstanding their possession of them, they could not prevent, but were obliged to admit of it, as a token of their subjection to Christ:
and even the devils themselves in the men,
cried, saying, thou art the Son of God; a divine person, equal with God; and such his power over them, and his healing all manner of diseases, by a word, or touch, showed him to be.
And he straitly charged them,.... Or vehemently rebuked them, as the Syriac and Arabic versions render it; or threatened them much and vehemently, as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic. The Persic version renders it, "threatened many"; both the devils that confessed him, and the many that were healed of their diseases: he gave them a strict and severe charge,
that they should not make him known; or "his work", as the Arabic, his miracles: he sought not vain glory and popular applause, nor did he need the testimony of men or devils; and especially did not choose the latter, lest his enemies should traduce him, as having familiarity with them, as they did.
And he goeth up into a mountain,.... Near Capernaum, being solitary, and a place of recess and retirement, "to pray", as Luke says, Luke 6:12, who adds, "and continued all night in prayer to God", notwithstanding the great fatigue of the day past. His prayer, as is very probable, was chiefly concerning the great and important work, which was upon his mind, and he was about to do; the making and constituting twelve of his disciples, as his apostles, to preach in his name, and work miracles:
and calleth unto him whom he would; that is, "when it was day", as the above evangelist observes; when he called his disciples, such as had been for some time followers of him, as many of them as he thought fit: for it seems by the same evangelist, that others were called to him besides the twelve; and out of them he chose them: the phrase "whom he would", is in the Arabic version rendered, "whom he loved"; and it is a common observation of expositors, that the choice and call of the apostles to office, were not according to their will, works and merits, but according to the sovereign will and grace of Christ, who chose them, and not they him: but to me there seems no foundation for such a remark here, though it is a truth; because this regards not the call of the twelve only, and much less of them to office, but a call of many of the followers of Christ to come to him on the mountain:
and they came unto him; as many as he called out of the multitude; and from among these he made the following choice.
And he ordained twelve,.... Or made, constituted, and appointed twelve men, out of those he called to him. The Arabic version adds, "and called them apostles"; which seems to be taken out of Luke 6:13.
That they should be with him; constantly, in private and in public; be taken into his family, and reckoned such; be his familiars, and privy to all his affairs; hear all his discourses, and see his miracles; that so they might be trained up and fitted for the great work he designed them for:
and that he might send them forth to preach; the Gospel in Judea first, and then in all the world: for he did not at this time send them to preach, only chose; called, and appointed them; and after they had been with him some time, and were better qualified for such service, he sent them forth, as in Matthew 10:1, for this constitution of them was before that mission, and was in order to it.
And to have power to heal sicknesses,.... All manner of corporeal diseases that attend men and women:
and to cast out devils; from such who were possessed with them: that is, he chose and appointed them to be his apostles, with a view of conferring such powers upon them hereafter; for as yet, they were not vested with them, nor sent out to exercise them; no, not till near twelve months after.
And Simon he surnamed Peter. Or Cephas, which signifies a rock, or stone, because of his courage and constancy, his strength and fortitude, steadiness and firmness of mind: this name was imposed upon him, not at the time of his mission as an apostle; nor when he made that noble confession of his faith in Christ, as the Son of the living God, at which time this name was taken notice of; but when Christ first called him to be his disciple and apostle; see John 1:42.
And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James,.... These are mentioned next, as being first called after Peter and Andrew:
and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, the sons of thunder: either because of their loud and sonorous voice; or their warm zeal for Christ, and fervency in their ministry: or for their courage in opposing the enemies of Christ, and the power that went along with their words; which either put to confusion and silence, or issued in conviction and conversion. The Syriac version reads, "Benai Regesh", and the Persic, "Beni Reg'sch". The Jews, as our learned countryman Mr. Broughton has observedF23Broughton's Requ. of Consent, in his Works, p. 620. , sometimes pronounce "Scheva" by on, as Noabyim", for "Nebyim"; so here, "Boanerges" for Benereges", or "Benerges". There is a city which was in the tribe of Dan, mentioned in Joshua 19:45, which is called "Bene-berak, the sons of lightning"; and is spoken of in the JewishF24Haggada Shel Pesach. p. 6. Ed. Rittangel. & in Seder Tephillot, Ed. Basil, fol. 243. 1. Juchasin, fol. 36. 1. writings, as a place where several of the Rabbins met, and conversed together: the reason of this name may be inquired after.
And Andrew,.... The brother of Peter;
and Philip, who was of Bethsaida;
and Bartholomew, whom Dr. Lightfoot thinks is the same with Nathaniel: the name may be the same with בר תלמיון, "Bar Talmion", with the JewsF25Vajikra Rabba, sect. 6. fol. 151. 1. ; See Gill on Matthew 10:3. See Gill on John 1:41.
and Matthew, the publican, who was called Levi;
and Thomas, who was called Didymus, from his being a twin;
and James, the son of Alphaeus, to distinguish him from the other James, the son of Zebedee, and who is sometimes called "the less";
and Thaddaeus, whose name was also Lebbaeus, and likewise Jude, the author of the Epistle that bears that name;
and Simon the Canaanite, or Zelotes; of these men, and their several names; see Gill on Matthew 10:2. See Gill on Matthew 10:3. See Gill on Matthew 10:4.
And Judas Iscariot,.... So called to distinguish him from the other Judas; and is mentioned last for the following reason:
which also betrayed him; and which action of his will ever render his name infamous among men. This man, with the rest, our Lord chose to be an apostle of his, though he knew he would betray him; in order to fulfil the purposes of God, the prophecies of the Old Testament, and bring on the work of man's redemption he came into the world to perform.
And they went into an house at Capernaum; the house of Simon and Andrew, where Jesus used to be when there: they went home with him from the mountain; and from that time became his domestics, and were looked upon by him as his family, and were admitted to the greatest nearness and intimacy with him.
And the multitude coming together again,.... Either the multitude that were about the door of this house; insomuch that there was no room about, nor any coming near it, Mark 2:2, or the multitude that came from different parts, and had thronged about him at the sea side, before he went up into the mountain: these understanding that he was come down from thence, and was returned to Capernaum, and was at Simon's house, flocked thither, in great numbers, to see his person, hear his doctrines, and observe his miracles;
so that they could not so much as eat bread; the press was so great, and their importunities so urgent, either to hear him preach, or have their sick healed, that Christ, and his disciples, had neither room nor opportunity to eat some food for the refreshment of nature; though it was very necessary, and high time they had, especially Christ, who had been up all night, which he had spent in prayer; and had been very busy that morning in calling and appointing his apostles, and instructing them what they should do.
When his friends heard of it,.... Not his spiritual friends, his disciples and followers, that believed in him; but his kinsmen, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render the words, who were so according to the flesh; when they heard where he was, and what a crowd was about him, so that he could not so much as take the necessaries of life for his refreshment and support,
they went out to lay hold on him: either out of their houses at Capernaum, or they went forth from Nazareth, where they dwelt, to Capernaum, to take him from this house, where he was thronged and pressed, along with them; where he might have some refreshment without being incommoded, and take some rest, which seemed very necessary: so that this was done in kindness to him, and does not design any violent action upon him, in order to take him home with them, and to confine him as a madman; though the following words seem to incline to such a sense;
for they said, he is beside himself: some render it, "he is gone out": that is, out of doors, to preach again to the people, which they might fear would be greatly detrimental to his health, since, he had had no sleep the night before; had been much fatigued all that morning, and for the throng of the people could take no food; so that for this reason they came to take him with them, to their own habitations, to prevent the ill consequences of such constant exercise without refreshment. Moreover, though this may not be the sense of the word, yet it is not to be understood of downright madness and distraction, but of some perturbation of mind, which they imagined, or heard, he was under; and answers to a phrase frequently used by the Jews, that such an one, נטרפה דעתו, "his knowledge is snatched away", or his mind is disturbed; which was sometimes occasioned by disorder of body: so it is saidF26Misn. Nidda, c. 9. sect. 1. ,
"a deaf woman, or one that is foolish, or blind, דעתה ושנטרפה, or "whose mind is disturbed"; and if there are any wise women, they prepare themselves, and eat of the oblation.'
On that phrase, "whose mind is disturbed", the note of Maimonides is,
"it means a sick person, whose understanding is disturbed through the force of the disease:'
and was sometimes the case of a person when near deathF1T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 63. 1. : and it was usual to give a person that was condemned to die, and going to be executed, a grain of frankincense in a cup of wine, שתטרף דעתו כדי, "that so his knowledge may be snatched away", or his mind disturbedF2Ib. fol. 43. 1. Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 10, fol. 198. 4. , and: be intoxicated; that so he might not be sensible of his pain, or feel his misery; in all which cases, there was nothing of proper madness: and so the kinsmen and friends of Christ, having heard of the situation that he was in, said one to another, he is in a transport and excess of mind; his zeal carries him beyond due bounds; he has certainly forgotten himself; his understanding is disturbed; he is unmindful of himself; takes no care of his health; he will certainly greatly impair it, if he goes on at this rate, praying all night, and preaching all day, without taking any rest or food: wherefore they came out, in order to dissuade him from such excessive labours, and engage him to go with them, where he might have rest and refreshment, and be composed, and retire.
And the Scribes which came down from Jerusalem,.... Or, "but the Scribes", &c. who had an aversion to Christ, and a different opinion of him: these were they, who having heard much of the doctrine and miracles of Christ, came down from Jerusalem, which lay in the upper, and higher part of the land of Israel, into Galilee, a low country, to make their observations upon him; and take every advantage they could against him, being men, in their way, letter learned, and artful, and cunning: these
said, he hath Beelzebub: or, as the Syriac and Persic versions render it, "Beelzebub is in him": sometimes they call him Beelzebub; sometimes say that he cast out devils by him; and here, that he had him, or was in him; Beelzebub possessed him, and assisted him, and there was a confederacy and familiarity between them:
and by the prince of devils casteth he out devils; for so they reckoned Beelzebub to be; See Gill on Matthew 10:25, Matthew 12:24.
And he called them unto him,.... The Jerusalem Scribes, to come nearer to him, and attend to what he had to say in defence of his character and miracles:
and said unto them in parables: similitudes, and proverbial expressions, as the following seem to be,
how can Satan cast out Satan? or one devil cast out another? how unreasonable is it to suppose it? can it ever be thought that such, whose interest it is to unite, would ever oppose and dispossess one another? if therefore, as if he should say, I am Beelzebub, or have him, and he is in me, and I am in confederacy with him; was this the case, can any think I should ever cast him out of others, as I do?
And if a kingdom be divided against itself,.... Any of the kingdoms of this world, and the kingdom of "Satan":
that kingdom cannot stand: not long; its internal broils and divisions will, soon bring it to desolation; See Gill on Matthew 12:25.
And if a house be divided against itself,.... Any family, small or great,
that house cannot stand; its contentions and discords will soon bring it down from a comfortable and flourishing situation, to a very distressed one; See Gill on Matthew 12:25.
And if Satan rise up against himself,.... As he must do in such a case as this, if devils are cast out by Beelzebub, the prince of devils:
and be divided; one devil against another, as the above calumny supposes;
he cannot stand, but hath an end: his kingdom cannot stand long, but must soon come to an end; his power and authority will soon be destroyed, both over his own species, and among men; See Gill on Matthew 12:26.
No man can enter into a strong man's house,.... This is properly a parable; the other seem to be proverbs, or sayings, that were commonly used to show the ill consequences of discords, factions, and divisions, as is explained in the note on See Gill on Matthew 12:29.
Verily I say unto you,.... The Scribes and Pharisees, who had not only blasphemed him, but the Spirit of God also:
all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme; God; or the Son of God, angels, and men, and that through the blood of Christ, and when brought to a sense of the evil of them; for though pardon is procured before, it is not applied till then; See Gill on Matthew 12:31.
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost,.... Against his person, and the works performed by him, by ascribing them to diabolical power and influence, as the Scribes did,
hath never forgiveness: there is no pardon provided in the covenant of grace, nor obtained by the blood of Christ for such persons, or ever applied to them by the Spirit;
but is in danger of eternal damnation. The Vulgate Latin reads it, and so it is read in an ancient copy of Beza's, guilty of an eternal sin; a sin which can never be blotted out, and will never be forgiven, but will be punished with everlasting destruction; See Gill on Matthew 12:32.
Because they, said, he hath an, unclean spirit. They charged Christ with having a devil, and his miracles with being wrought by the help of the devil; when, at the same time, they knew in their own consciences they were works which were wrought by the finger and Spirit of God, and so were guilty of the sin against the Holy Ghost; the unpardonable sin, for which there is no remission: and this is mentioned as a reason why our Lord said what he did concerning that sin; because they had been guilty of it, and so were liable to everlasting punishment on account of it.
There came then his brethren and his mother,.... At the same time he was speaking to the Scribes, who seem to be different persons from his friends and kinsmen, Mark 3:21,
and standing without; for Christ was within, in the house, talking with the Scribes and Pharisees, and preaching to the people; and the crowd being so great, that they could not get into the house; they
sent unto him, calling him: they not only sent one in to let him know who they were, and that they were without doors, desirous to speak with him; but also, with a voice as loud as they could, called to him themselves; See Gill on Matthew 12:46.
And the multitude sat about him,.... In a circle, all around him, to hear him preach; so that there was no such thing as the messenger coming near him; but the message being whispered from one to another, it came to those who sat nearest him:
and they said unto him, behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee: in five of Beza's ancient copies, and in his most ancient one, are added, and thy sisters: agreeably, Christ hereafter makes mention of sister, as well as mother and brother; See Gill on Matthew 12:47, and so it is read in the Alexandrian copy.
And he answered them,.... The multitude that sat about him, and informed him of his mother and brethren being without, and desirous of speaking with him:
saying, who is my mother, or my brethren? which is said not through ignorance or contempt, but either, as displeased with the interruption given him; or with a view to take an opportunity from hence of expressing his superior value to his spiritual relations; which looks with no favourable aspect on the superstitious notions, and veneration of the virgin Mary among the papists; See Gill on Matthew 12:48.
And he looked round about on them which sat about him,.... To find out his disciples among them, and point them out particularly, by stretching forth his hand towards them: and said,
behold my mother and my brethren: not in a natural, but in a spiritual sense; his mother, because, in regeneration, he was formed in them; his brethren, because, by adoption, his God was their God, his Father their Father; See Gill on Matthew 12:49.
For whosoever shall do the will of God,.... By believing in Christ, receiving him as a Saviour and Redeemer, and submitting to him in all his ordinances, as King of saints:
the same is my brother, and my sister, and my mother: such are openly, and manifestly related to Christ in a spiritual sense; and are as dear to him, and more so, than such persons are who stand in such a relation to others, or did to him according to the flesh. And this shows not only the near relation, and strong affection which Christ has for his people, but that he is not ashamed of them; and it may be concluded, that he will resent, in the keenest manner, every injury that is done them; See Gill on Matthew 12:50.