And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Ver. 49. Behold my mother and my brethren] Sanctior est copula cordis quam corporis. Spiritual kindred is better than carnal: "there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother,"Proverbs 18:24. Christ is endeared to his in all manner of nearest relations and engagements Oh, then, the dignity and safety of a saint! and oh, the danger and disaster of such as either by band or tongue malign or molest them! What! will they wrong Christ's mother to his face? Will they force the queen also in the house? Ezra 7:8. If Jacob's sons were so avenged for the indignity done to their sister Dinah, if Absalom for Tamer, what will Christ do, or rather what will he not do, for his dearest relations? How will this greater than Solomon arise off his throne, at the last day, to meet his mother half way, and to do her all the honour that may be in that great amphitheatre! 1 Kings 2:19. How sweetly will he accost his brethren that have been long absent from him in the flesh, though present ever in spirit, with Δευτε, "Come, ye blessed," &c., q.d., where have you been all this while? They also shall be bold to say to him, as Ruth did to Boaz,Ruth 3:9, Spread thy skirt over us, for thou art our near kinsman, or, one that hath good right to redeem.