Mark 3:31 - Meaning and Application

Here we see, first, the disrespect Christ’s earthly relatives showed him while he was preaching, and they knew very well that he was fully engaged in his work. They would not come in to hear him. Instead, they sent a message to call him out to them (Mark 3:31-32), as if he had to stop his work to attend to their demands. It is likely they had no real business with him and only sent for him to make him break off, fearing he might wear himself out. But Christ knew his own strength, and he valued the salvation of souls above his own life. He soon proved this in a clear way. So it was foolish for them, under the excuse of protecting him, to interrupt him. And if they did have some real matter to raise, it was still wrong, because they knew he valued his work as Savior far more than any other concern.

Second, we see the honor Christ gave to his spiritual relatives on this occasion. As he often did, he gave a relative distance to his mother, and this seems to have been meant to stop the exaggerated honor people would later try to give her. Our respect should follow Christ’s example. The Virgin Mary, Christ’s mother, is not placed above ordinary believers, but below them here, because Christ gives special honor to those around him who hear God’s word and do it. He looked at the people sitting around him and said that whoever did God’s will was to him like a brother, sister, or mother, as dear and valued as his closest family (Mark 3:33-35). This is a strong reason to honor those who fear the Lord and to choose them as our companions. It is also a strong reason not to be only hearers of the word, but doers of it, so we may share in this honor with the saints. It is a good thing to be linked with those who are so closely tied to Christ, and to have fellowship with those who have fellowship with him. And there is warning for those who hate and persecute Christ’s relatives, who are his own flesh and blood and each one bears the mark of a king’s children (see Judges 8:18-19). He will defend them with jealousy and avenge their blood.