Matthew 12:46
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak with him.
American King James Version (AKJV)
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak with him.
American Standard Version (ASV)
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
While he was still talking to the people, his mother and his brothers came, desiring to have talk with him.
Webster's Revision
While he was yet speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
World English Bible
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
English Revised Version (ERV)
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
Definitions for Matthew 12:46
Clarke's Matthew 12:46 Bible Commentary
His mother and his brethren - These are supposed to have been the cousins of our Lord, as the word brother is frequently used among the Hebrews in this sense. But there are others who believe Mary had other children beside our Lord and that these were literally his brothers, who are spoken of here. And, although it be possible that these were the sons of Mary, the wife of Cleopas or Alpheus, his mother's sister, called his relations, Mark 3:31; yet it is as likely that they were the children of Joseph and Mary, and brethren of our Lord, in the strictest sense of the word. See on Matthew 13:55 (note).
Barnes's Matthew 12:46 Bible Commentary
See also Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21.
His brethren - There has been some difference of opinion about the persons who are referred to here, some supposing that they were children of Mary his mother, others that they were the children of Mary, the wife of Cleophas or Alpheus, his "cousins," and called "brethren" according to the customs of the Jews. The natural and obvious meaning is, however, that they were the children of Mary his mother. See also Mark 6:3. To this opinion, moreover, there can be no valid objection.
Wesley's Matthew 12:46 Bible Commentary
12:46 His brethren - His kinsmen: they were the sons of Mary, the wife of Cleopas, or Alpheus, his mother's sister; and came now seeking to take him, as one beside himself, 3:21 . 3:31 ; Luke 8:19.