“And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.”– Luke 8:20 (KJV)
“Someone told Jesus, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to see you.’– Luke 8:20 (NLT)
“Someone said, ‘Your mother and brothers are outside wanting to see you.’– Luke 8:20 (MSG)
What Does Luke 8:20 Mean?
Luke 8:20 is a verse that invites us into a moment in the life of Jesus where He interacts with His family and the people around Him. This interaction helps us understand something crucial about the nature of our relationships and the way Jesus viewed His ministry and mission. When we read that His mother and brothers were outside wanting to see Him, we see a contrast between earthly family ties and spiritual family connections. Jesus is about to reveal the deeper truth about who His true family is.
When we think about family, we often think of our parents, siblings, and extended relatives. Jesus, however, shifts the focus from biological relationships to spiritual ones. He teaches us that those who follow the will of God are His true family. This can be a groundbreaking idea. It suggests that our spiritual relationships can be just as important, if not more so, than our familial ties. This moment reminds us that we are invited into a community of believers and are called to support and love one another just as a family would.
Luke 8:20 Explanation and Commentary
In this verse, we find Jesus being approached with a message from someone in the crowd. The message is simple: His mother and brothers are outside and want to see Him. Imagine the crowd bustling around Jesus, filled with people eager for His teaching and healing. Yet amidst this, we see His earthly family trying to get His attention.
As we read on, we can see that Jesus responds in a way that many might find surprising. Rather than rushing to meet His family, He uses this moment to teach an important lesson about spiritual priorities. In many ways, this response can challenge us. Do we focus on our earthly relationships to the point that we miss our spiritual missions? Jesus challenges us to step beyond conventional expectations and recognize that our spiritual family—the family of God—is vast and includes everyone who seeks to follow Him.
This brings us to a key concept in Jesus’ teachings: obedience to God’s word is what truly binds and connects us. For instance, in Matthew 12:50, Jesus states, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” This call to obedience transcends our earthly connections and creates a deeper bond among believers.
It’s easy for us to feel torn between the love for our biological families and the call to follow Jesus. However, this is exactly where Jesus wants us to reflect. Are we willing to make choices that honor our commitment to God, even if it means reshaping our relationships with earthly family members? This is, ultimately, a question we must each answer as we walk in faith.
Context of Luke 8:20
To fully grasp the significance of Luke 8:20, it’s essential to consider its context within the Gospel of Luke. At this point in the narrative, Jesus has been actively teaching and healing. The people around Him were drawn to Him for what He could do—He performed miracles, cast out demons, and offered profound teachings. The crowd’s interest was both significant and understandable as many were seeing firsthand the authority with which He operated.
Jesus is in the middle of teaching about the parables of the kingdom of God. A key theme in these chapters is the contrast between those who hear Jesus’ message but do not act upon it, and those who are true followers who embrace His words. When His family approaches, it symbolizes the ordinary distractions we face even in moments of spiritual significance. Often our earthly ties can present themselves as challenges as we seek to engage in our spiritual growth.
Jesus uses the opportunity presented by His family’s visit to highlight this very point. It offers Him the moment not to just acknowledge His family but to redefine what family means within His ministry. He introduces a radical understanding of community based not only on shared blood but shared beliefs. As followers, we’re urged to embrace the truth that we are part of a much larger spiritual family.
Additionally, Luke provides a unique account compared to the other Gospels, including important details about women and their roles in Jesus’ ministry. They were key supporters of Jesus, and in this narrative, it subtly highlights that God’s love and family is inclusive. This message affirms that all believers, including women who often did not hold prominent positions in society, have equal access to being part of God’s family.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Luke 8:20
The key elements in Luke 8:20 revolve around the concept of family, the response of Jesus, and the greater meaning behind it. When we hear that Jesus’ mother and brothers are outside trying to reach Him, we’re immediately drawn to think of family—our next of kin, those we grew up with. When we reflect on these relationships, we often feel a sense of loyalty and duty.
Jesus’s response, however, flips this expectation on its head. Instead of running out to greet them, He makes a bold statement that redefines family. By asking, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He invites us to reconsider who we see as part of our family. His true family, according to His words, isn’t merely bound by blood but by the shared commitment to doing God’s will.
In looking at the phrase “desiring to see you,” we see that the family wishes to connect with Him, but we must ponder why Jesus placed this emphasis on His spiritual family as a priority. It brings to mind the struggles we may feel with earthly ties when pursuing our call to follow Christ. How might we evaluate our lives to ensure that we maintain a strict focus on our spiritual commitments? We can give attention to our earthly relationships while prioritizing our loyalty to God and His mission.
Humans have a tendency to get immersed in the noise of life, where family and obligations frequently compete for our time and attention. Jesus draws a line that challenges us: Our commitment to God and His teachings must take precedence. As we ponder what makes us part of this spiritual family, we must also reflect on how we live out this connection with others.
Lessons to Learn From Luke 8:20
One significant lesson from Luke 8:20 is the whole perspective on what family truly means. As we assess our own lives, we can empower ourselves to build relationships in our spiritual community that transcend earthly constraints. It’s a chance for us to embrace and support brothers and sisters in faith who share common commitments to God. Our spiritual family provides us with strength, guidance, and support, echoing what we find in Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We should continually nurture those bonds.
This also prompts us to think about our priorities. Are we allowing societal norms to dictate our commitments? Or are we embracing the fulfilling relationships found in our spiritual family? We may find ourselves in circumstances where pleasing family members conflicts with our obedience to God. The lesson from Jesus teaches us that living out His will is essential, even when it means challenging traditional ties.
Another teaching point includes the inclusivity of the Christian community. Jesus opened His arms wide to embrace all who sought Him—men, women, young, old, and people from various backgrounds could find a place in His family. This inclusiveness challenges us to foster an environment where all feel welcome. We should ask ourselves whether we are being inclusive to everyone desiring to know Christ. It leads us to break any barriers that might hinder others from experiencing the grace of God by embracing them.
At a personal level, we are invited to examine how we can view one another as family members in a spiritual sense. Sharing joys and burdens, offering encouragement, and being accountable to one another all create the foundation for a strong community reflecting Christ’s love. This unity in our spiritual family stirs more profound connections driven by God’s grace.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Luke 8:20 provides us with an invitation to redefine our relationships based on a spiritual commitment that surpasses earthly concerns. We learn from Jesus that our true family is made of those who do the will of God. This understanding shapes how we interact with those around us and encourages belonging in ways that reflect God’s love.
As we move through life, let’s strive to cultivate our spiritual family through kindness and compassion. We should prioritize reaching out to those who might feel alone and welcome them into this wonderful community of believers. Embracing the concept of a spiritual family invites challenges, but it also fills our hearts with joy as we grow, encourage, and love each other.
We encourage you to explore more topics, understanding the rich depth of Scriptures and the lessons that come with them. For instance, learning from the faith in Matthew 11 could greatly enrich our walk, as well as studying creation in the Book of Genesis. You might find inspiration in Genesis 18 where God’s promises are affirmed. Step into these writings, and you’ll find a family united in faith.