Orientation

Jesus' statement in 3:33 is tantamount to a slap in the face, because one of the highest cultural values in the 1st century was maintaining respect for one's parents. For us in the 21st century It is hard to imagine how insulting this probably was to Jesus' mother and brothers. They may well have been so shocked they did not know how to respond. Very likely Jesus' behavior has now publicly shamed them.

This passage is silent about the role and function of families in the new kingdom of God. Jesus clearly implies that since relationships among his followers make the "true" family, they are more important than relationships in one's family. But what does this mean for families? Does this mean the end of family, or merely that family is now secondary to kingdom relationships, even if still worthwhile?

As Christian communities spread throughout the Mediterranean world after the resurrection, this passage probably provided a great deal of comfort to new Christians who were rejected by their families when they become Christian. Even if their family rejected them, they have a new family in the Christian church.

Notice that no father is mentioned in this passage, probably because Mary is single. In fact, the book of Mark never speaks of Jesus having a father. The figure of Joseph is found only in Matthew and Luke.

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