The True Kindred of Jesus

Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.

And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers and sisters or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.

“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.

for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’

And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God

Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman and died childless;

but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail, and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”