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Explanation for:
Matthew
12
:
50
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father, that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He stated that whoever fulfills the will of My Father is considered My brother, sister, and mother. Therefore, if they wish to be part of His family, they should follow that path. Even when a woman exclaimed, \\"Blessed is the womb that bore you,\\" Christ responded by not denying His mother but emphasized that if she seeks blessing, she must do the will of My Father. Those who fulfill this will are truly His siblings. What a remarkable blessing! What a profound virtue! How elevated is the status of those who walk this path! Many women have admired this holy Virgin and her womb, yearning to be such mothers and willing to sacrifice everything for that honor. What holds them back? Christ has revealed to us a wide avenue, accessible not only to wives but also to husbands, allowing them to attain even greater honor. This path offers the chance to become a source of blessing rather than merely experience the pains of childbirth. Hence, if earthly kinship brings joy, spiritual kinship surpasses it by far, as it is greater than the former. Therefore, pursue this kinship not merely as a desire, but diligently follow the path that leads to it. After stating this, the Savior exited the house. Observe how He both corrected and fulfilled their wish. A similar pattern occurs at weddings, where He gently admonished His mother for her untimely request yet did not decline to assist her—by offering correction, He healed her flaw, and by fulfilling her petition, He demonstrated His love for her. Similarly, here He addressed the issue of vanity while simultaneously honoring His mother, even though her request was not entirely fitting."},{"author-name":"Gregory the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88c2b032f5f6e5effaa54_Gregory%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":6,"exegesis-text":"One who believes is granted the status of a sibling of the Lord; however, the question arises: how can he also be considered a mother? It is essential to understand that through faith, one becomes a brother or sister of Christ, while through preaching, one takes on the role of a mother. The act of preaching resembles the act of giving birth, as the preacher instills the Lord within the hearts of those who listen, thus becoming a mother as genuine love for the Lord is nurtured within the soul of the neighbor through that preaching."},{"author-name":"Photios of Constantinople","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89714cf3e65c36024d2b8_Photios%20of%20Constantinople.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":9,"exegesis-text":"What is the significance of the phrase ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?’ Many have stumbled over this, surprising, perhaps, given that those who are unsure may falter at the very illumination that brings salvation and purpose to many. What is astonishing is that the light of understanding does not shy away from revealing truth even to those who remain willfully ignorant. Our Lord and Savior, seen by the lost as a stumbling block and a rejected cornerstone, was not truly such, but He appeared as one to those straying from the path. When He asked, ‘Who is My Mother,’ He was not denying His mother, despite the twisted interpretations of the wicked. He did not speak in disrespect towards the one who bore Him. After all, He, as a child acknowledging the rights of His parent, would hardly dismiss His mother's honor as an adult. His words convey a deeper meaning; it wouldn’t make sense for Him to deny kinship to her from whom He took on human form and whom He honored by His very birth. If He intended to relinquish connection to her, why did He align Himself with her from the beginning? Why would He assume a form He found abominable? Such folly could be easily rebuked by sound reasoning.\\n\\nPerhaps, some might suggest that the Savior spoke not to diminish the honor due to His mother but rather to elevate divine truths above human relations. While He rightly honored His mother, He placed the salvation of humanity and the teachings associated with that above all else. Through His incarnation, His living among men, willingly accepting the cross, enduring death among wrongdoers, and ultimately rising from the grave, He underlined this priority. This perspective can be further substantiated by noting that the Savior taught that no one should prioritize familial ties over the profound teachings of the soul. He stated, ‘Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me’ (Matt. 10:37), implying that those who do not prioritize My life-giving message above earthly attachments are missing the boundless blessings of eternal communion with those who uphold My divine principles.\\n\\nAware of the simplicity and clarity of this teaching, the Savior exemplified it by placing the spiritual well-being of His followers above His relationship with His earthly mother. He communicated that just as He prioritized their salvation over concern for His mother, so too must His followers exchange earthly attachments for spiritual devotion. When He did not permit the man who sought to bury his father to delay for that reason (see Matt. 8:21-22; Luke 9:59-60), it was not to disrespect familial duty or to belittle love, but rather to exemplify the higher calling of the soul above all human plaints or inclinations. Some may argue that His intention was not to vilify His mother but to confront the oppressive expectations about her status and role.\\n\\nStill, there are notable figures among our blessed Fathers whose interpretations, though often admirable, I would not endorse in this case. They have proposed that Mary, in her humanity, was somewhat prideful of her son's greatness and sought to bask in it, approaching Him to claim her own recognition when He taught. Therefore, the Savior’s words were aimed at correcting her potential pride with admonition: ‘Who is My Mother, and who are My brethren?’ However, a careful investigation reveals that Mary did not intrude or demand recognition. She approached with humility, not seeking glory but only to convey her presence. She neither interrupted Him nor boasted of her son’s status—hardly the behavior of one seeking to assert her pride.\\n\\nThus, Jesus’s statement toward His mother is not a reprimand or a correction for any fault—there was none to correct. Rather, it is a response to the scornful remarks from the wicked Jews who belittled Him, deriding, ‘Is He not the son of the carpenter?’ (Matt. 13:55-56) and ‘We know from where He comes’ (John 7:27). As they envied Him and sought to retaliate with slander, they even attempted to diminish the value of His mother. In response, Jesus firmly yet gently declared that far from being ashamed of His family on earth, He honored all who do the will of the Father as His true family, elevating them beyond mere biological ties.\\n\\nThe inquiry ‘Who are my mother and my brethren?’ shows His refusal to allow their scorn to eclipse His honor toward His mother and that of all righteous souls, demonstrating that it is indeed a privilege to be named among such as these. In doing so, He affirms that loving God and adhering to His will is paramount, granting a higher dignity to those who follow Him while still holding His mother in esteem. He wouldn’t diminish her honor but instead, elevates it through the profound relationship He establishes with those who embrace righteousness.\\n\\nSimilarly, the words ‘What is that to Me and to Thee, O Woman? My hour has not yet come’ (John 2:4) convey a message that could easily be misinterpreted. A thorough examination reveals that these words not only honor His mother but also highlight the distinction between divine power and human expectation. When she petitions Him for a miracle, He acknowledges that while the timing isn’t aligned for miraculous acts, His respect and love for her surpass this momentary concern—showing that the honor due to His mother outweighs the conventional understanding of miracle timing.\\n\\nThus, His statement cannot be seen as diminishing her glory. If anything, it amplifies it, reflecting that Mary's honor is so significant that even the divine timeline bows to it. Each response and action reveals His devotion to His mother, emphasizing that her maternal rights and His love for her take precedence over the natural order of events."},{"author-name":"Symeon the New Theologian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c897eec143c131d21207b3_Symeon%20the%20New%20Theologian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":10,"exegesis-text":"Blessed is the individual who recognizes that Christ, the Light of the world, is envisioned within them, for they will be honored as the mother of Christ, bearing Him as the fruit of the womb. This is in accordance with His unwavering promise, as He declared, “My mother and my brothers and my friends are these - those who hear the word of God and do it” (Mt. 12:48-50). Thus, those who fail to uphold God’s commandments will, by their own choice, forfeit such grace, a situation that has occurred, continues to occur, and will always be possible. However, it remains true for those who observe the commandments of the Lord."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Without criticizing His mother, He addresses her misplaced ambition and human desire; for He does not declare, “this is not my mother,” but rather states, “if she does not fulfill the will of God, her motherhood has no significance.” The Lord does not reject His earthly ties but instead emphasizes connection through righteousness, as mere biological relationships do not suffice for true benefit. In this way, He heals the affliction of pride, yet He responds to His mother’s summons once more, as the Evangelist continues to describe."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He is intimately connected to me because he fulfills the will of my Father, which I also strive to fulfill. He also referred to a sister, perhaps due to the existence of Joseph’s daughters or because of wives who adhere to God's purpose. The divine will encompasses observing the commandments of the gospel and attaining salvation. Therefore, neither His mother nor His brothers would be truly considered His family unless they were aligned with God’s will. These words do not imply that He disavows His earthly kinship; rather, they express His preference for spiritual kinship, emphasizing that mere physical ties hold no value without spiritual integrity. Even for the Virgin, there would be no merit in giving birth to God if she lacked virtue. For whom could a righteous connection to a holy spouse benefit if he is devoid of virtue? It is indeed possible to recognize relatives as unrelated and to regard those outside the family as connected, distinguished by differences in the first instance and by shared values in the second. \\n\\nThus, when a woman proclaimed, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breast that nourished Thee,’ He affirmed this sentiment but immediately added, ‘Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.’ O virtue, how it elevates those who embrace it and makes them kin to Christ! Chrysostom observes that the Mother of Jesus, feeling the weight of human emotion, desired to illustrate the honor Christ bestowed upon her. Consequently, when she approached Him while He was teaching, seeking to call Him out under the pretext of a household matter, she assumed He would respond immediately as her Son, disregarding the crowd. Aware of this, Christ chose another path; He not only refrained from exiting to her but also gently corrected her presumptuous intent and dispelled any hint of vanity in her desire."},{"author-name":"Theophan the Recluse","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8983a6e0f4c3aecaae3fc_Theophan%20the%20Recluse.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord clearly indicates that the spiritual bond He intends to establish and nurture on earth is distinct from physical relationships, even though they may share a similar relational form. Within this spiritual community, there are parents—those who bring forth through the word of truth, as stated by the apostle Paul. Additionally, there are siblings—those who are spiritually born of one entity and are united in one spirit. This kinship is rooted in the transformative power of grace. It is not merely external or superficial; rather, it is profound and essential, akin to physical bonds, yet it exists within a higher and more significant realm. This is why it transcends the carnal, and when circumstances arise, it willingly submits to its spiritual priorities, fully confident that such sacrifices are pleasing to God and expected by Him."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"FOR WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF MY HEAVENLY FATHER IS MY BROTHER, AND SISTER, AND MOTHER. If my Mother desires to receive blessings, she too must adhere to the will of my Father. \\"What a privilege,\\" remarks St. Chrysostom, \\"how remarkable is virtue, to what heights does it elevate those who pursue its path! How many women have revered this Holy Virgin and aspired to be such mothers, leaving all behind! What stands in their way? Behold, Jesus Christ has revealed to us an expansive path, and not only wives but also husbands can achieve such esteemed honor, and even beyond that.\\" “When parents,” states St. Philaret, “relations, mentors, or authorities compel us to act against our wisdom, yet what is essential, beneficial, or at least harmless must be pursued, set aside your own judgment. Remember Jesus, the Wisdom of God, who ‘was in obedience’ to Joseph the carpenter. However, when the unfortunate examples and wishes of your parents and relatives lead you towards actions contrary to the law, disturbing your peace of conscience, then reflect on the words of Jesus: ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Recall that God is your Father, the Church is your mother, and all the saints are your brothers; do not degrade yourselves before such a noble kinship, do not distance yourselves from this blessed and beautiful family; fulfill the will of God rather than the will of man, so that the Lord may point to you and proclaim, ‘This is my mother and my brothers...’"},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Since her wish to converse with Him reached Him while He was still addressing the crowd, He did not grant her request. \\"Who is My Mother? And who are My brothers?\\" As Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, elucidated, Christ was indicating that her desire could distract Him from fulfilling the will of His Father in Heaven. When these two wills pull in opposing directions, I will clarify for you which one should be followed with utmost commitment. \\"Who are My Mother and My brothers?\\" is the question. Those who comply with the will of My Father in Heaven are My siblings and My mother. When Christ sent His Apostles to preach, He proclaimed, “Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37). He also instructed one disciple not to go back to bury his father, which reveals that He demonstrated His teachings and commandments through His example. Thus, when the opportunity arose, He showed that the will of His heavenly Father took precedence over the wishes of His earthly mother. However, this does not indicate a denial or indifference towards His Mother; He expressed His love for her on the Cross by entrusting her care to His cherished disciple. \\n\\nThis account encapsulates what we understand about the life of Jesus Christ during the Apostles’ ministry, who were sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:6). Our knowledge of this phase of the Lord's ministry is limited because the Apostles were not present at that time; they were essential eyewitnesses from whom our Gospels were formed. The lack of detailed narratives from the Evangelists underscores the authenticity of their writings; they refrained from mentioning events they did not witness firsthand or could not confirm through reliable witnesses. Furthermore, this gap in their accounts suggests a considerable passage of time. Although the Apostles were sent out in pairs to cover the Jewish-populated areas of Palestine, they could not have quickly visited even a sixth of these locales. We do not know how long their preaching lasted; all we know is that they returned prior to Passover (John 6:4), which was the third one since the Baptism of Jesus."}]}
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