King James Version

What Does Luke 8:21 Mean?

Luke 8:21 in the King James Version says “And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”

Luke 8:21 · KJV

Context

19

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

20

And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

21

And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

22

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

23

But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Jesus redefines family with stunning simplicity. My mother and my brethren are these (mētēr mou kai adelphoi mou houtoi eisin, μήτηρ μου καὶ ἀδελφοί μου οὗτοί εἰσιν)—indicating those surrounding Him—which hear the word of God, and do it (hoi ton logon tou theou akouontes kai poiountes, οἱ τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ ἀκούοντες καὶ ποιοῦντες). Two participles define true family: hearing (akouontes) and doing (poiountes). Neither alone suffices—both active listening and obedient action are required.

This directly applies the parable of the soils (vv. 4-15) and the exhortation about hearing (v. 18). True family members are good-soil hearers who receive, retain, and obey God's word. Jesus doesn't dishonor Mary—elsewhere He cared for her (John 19:26-27)—but establishes that spiritual kinship transcends biological relationship. The church becomes God's family (oikos theou, household of God, Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15), bound by shared obedience to the Father rather than shared genetics. This was revolutionary—family identity based on faith and obedience, not ethnicity or ancestry, opening God's family to all nations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In first-century Judaism, ethnic identity as Abraham's descendants was central (John 8:33, 39). Family lineage determined covenant membership, temple access, and social standing. Jesus's redefinition challenged this fundamentally—obedience to God's word, not Abrahamic descent, constitutes God's family. This anticipates Paul's teaching that true children of Abraham are those of faith, not flesh (Romans 4:16, 9:6-8; Galatians 3:7, 29). For early Gentile converts, this was liberating—they could be fully part of God's family without Jewish ancestry. For Jewish believers, it was challenging—ethnic privilege didn't guarantee spiritual family membership. Luke, writing for a largely Gentile audience, emphasizes this theme: God's people are defined by response to His word. The early church's practice of calling believers 'brothers' and 'sisters' (adelphoi) enacted this teaching—creating new family structures transcending biological and ethnic boundaries, with profound social implications in the ancient world.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's definition of family as 'those who hear the word of God and do it' challenge both ancient honor-shame culture and modern individualism?
  2. What does the pairing of 'hear' and 'do' teach about genuine faith versus mere intellectual assent to biblical truth?
  3. In what practical ways should the church function as spiritual family, and how does this redefine our primary loyalty and identity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
τοῦ1 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 22

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀποκριθεὶς3 of 22

“he answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

εἶπεν4 of 22

“and said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

πρὸς5 of 22

“unto”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτὸν6 of 22

“it”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Μήτηρ7 of 22

“mother”

G3384

a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)

μου8 of 22

“My”

G3450

of me

καὶ9 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀδελφοί10 of 22

“brethren”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

μου11 of 22

“My”

G3450

of me

οὗτοί12 of 22

“these”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

εἰσιν13 of 22

“are”

G1526

they are

τοῦ14 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοῦ15 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγον16 of 22

“the word”

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

τοῦ17 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ18 of 22

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἀκούοντες19 of 22

“hear”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

καὶ20 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ποιοῦντες21 of 22

“do”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

αὐτὸν22 of 22

“it”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 8:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 8:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 11:27-28James 1:22John 13:173 John 1:111 John 2:292 Corinthians 6:18

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