"While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. (47) Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. (48) But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? (49) And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! (50) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
It is a matter, of no small importance in the faith of every child of God, to have right apprehensions of our Lord's relations after the flesh. As Joseph was only the reputed father of Christ (and not in reality), very plain it is, that on this side Jesus had none. And whether the Virgin Mary had; or had not children after the birth of Christ, it is of no moment to enquire, for it forms no article of faith neither is it in the least connected with the present question. That Mary was a pure Virgin, at the time of her conception; that she continued so, to the birth of Christ; and that her, conception, was altogether miraculous, by the Holy Ghost, and without the intervention of an human father: these are the grand and the only points essential to be proved; and these are all most fully proved and ascertained in the scriptures. And hence it. will follow, that any further relationship after the flesh, Christ had none. But his bretheren are the members of this mystical body, and not his personal body. Christ and his seed, are spoken of as one. He the head, and they the members; and concerning whom Jehovah saith, I will pour, my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. Isaiah 59:21; Isaiah 59:21. In that holy portion of human nature which constituted Christ's body, underived from man, and given of God, from all the persons of the Godhead (see in proof, Psalms 40:6; Hebrews 10:5; Psalms 139:13-16; Hebrews 2:14-16; Luke 1:35. and Commentary on Matthew 1:18.) was formed the holy seed of all his members. And as it is said of Levi, that he was in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him, Hebrews 7:10; so must it be said of the seed of Christ: they were in Christ; chosen in Christ; blessed in Christ; yea, beheld in Christ, before, the world began. Ephesians 1:3-5; Isaiah 8:18; Hebrews 2:11. So that when the Lord Jesus, in answer to the person, speaking to him of his relations, as stated if this Chapter, stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and pointing to certain among the throng, and said, behold my Mother and my Brethren! these were Christ's relations both in nature and grace. And if the Reader will turn to the following scriptures in proof, they will serve to throw great light upon the subject. As the everlasting Father, Isaiah 9:6. Brother, John 20:17. Husband, Isaiah 54:5. Friend, John 15:15. See the Poor Man's Commentary also on John 1:22-25.