Luke 8:21

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

فَأجَابَهُمْ يَسُوعُ: «أُمِّي وَإخوَتِي هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَسْمَعُونَ كَلَامَ اللهِ وَيُطِيعُونَهُ.»

What Does This Mean?

In Luke 8:21, Jesus is speaking and explains that his family isn't just blood relatives but those who listen to God's word and obey it. He emphasizes the importance of following God’s teachings.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a best friend who listens to your every advice and follows it. That’s like Jesus saying his real family is made up of people who hear what God says and do exactly that, not just by blood relation.

Historical Background

This verse was written by Luke, a doctor and historian, around the year 60 AD for Gentile converts to Christianity. It reflects the cultural setting where family ties were very strong, emphasizing that faith can create new kinds of familial bonds.

Living It Out Today

Consider a scenario where your best friend listens closely to your advice about health and follows every tip you give. Just as this friend becomes closer through obedience, Jesus is saying true closeness comes from obeying God's word, not just blood relations.

Topics

• obedience
• family
• spiritual relationship
• hearing God's word
• faithfulness
• blood vs spiritual ties

Related Verses

• Matthew 12:48
• John 15:14
• James 1:22-25
• Deuteronomy 6:4-9
• Proverbs 3:5-6

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Jesus say this?

Jesus emphasizes spiritual relationships over blood ties, showing that following God's teachings is more important than biological connections.

Does Luke 8:21 mean our physical family is less important?

No, it means while your physical family is important, a deeper bond can be formed through faith and obedience to God’s word.

Can anyone who listens to God become part of Jesus' 'family'?

Yes, anyone who hears the word of God and acts upon it becomes part of this spiritual family defined by faith and action.

How can we apply Luke 8:21 in our daily lives?

By actively listening to God's word through prayer and reading the Bible, then putting that knowledge into practice every day.