ACC ~ Matthew 12 v46 - 48

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

APOLLINARIS: That “his brothers” did not yet believe in him we learn from John, [1] while from Mark [2] we have also heard something else: for his own family tried to lay hands on him, as though he were beside himself. [3] On account of their frame of mind, the Lord does not often mention them as his own family. He points instead to those who are obedient. To believers he applies all the terms of family relationship, those, namely, who had been joined to him in the kindred fellowship of obedience. Even if temporarily he had a quarrel with Mary, as Simeon had foretold when he had said “a sword shall pierce through your own soul,” she overcame these things, as was fitting, and the Lord graciously made mention of her at his passion and entrusted her to the beloved disciple. [4] FRAGMENT 75. [5]

[1] Jn 7:5.

[2] p. 238 n.2. Here too the recourse to parallel passages in the other Gospels (Mk 3:31; Jn 7:5) allows sharper clarification of the passage in question, in this case the hostility expressed toward Jesus by his relatives.

[3] Mk 3:21.

[4] Jn 19:27.

[5] MKGK 22-23.