Commentary on the Gospel of
If indeed Jesus’ family thought he was mad, then they belonged to those who “stood outside.” Belonging to the same family or race as Jesus, does not make one a disciple, but doing the will of God does. This was the passion of his life; anyone who was not part of that was not part of him. In the agony of Gethesemane he was able to say, “Not my will but yours be done.” In him the passion to do the Father’s will was deeper than death; it is not surprising then that it should also be deeper than birth and natural life.