What the Bible says
“Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Matthew 12:48–50 (KJV)
“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.”
John 2:4 (KJV)
“Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”
John 19:26–27 (KJV)
Who is my mother?
Mary and his brothers had come to speak with Jesus while he was teaching. Mark tells us his family had heard he was 'beside himself' and came to take him home (Mark 3:21, 31). Jesus used the moment to say something wonderful: anyone who does the will of God belongs to his family. He was not shrinking his family, but widening it.
Woman, what have I to do with thee?
At the wedding in Cana, 'Woman' sounds cold in English, but it was a respectful form of address — the same word he used tenderly from the cross. Jesus was marking that his ministry now followed his Father's timing. And Mary understood: she told the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it — and he turned the water into wine.
Behold thy mother
The clearest answer comes from the cross. In pain, struggling to breathe, Jesus saw his mother standing there and entrusted her to John, the disciple he loved. He honoured his mother to his last breath.
Common questions
Was it rude for Jesus to call his mother 'Woman'?
No. It was a respectful address in that culture, and he used the same word lovingly from the cross in John 19:26.
Did Jesus reject his family?
No. In Matthew 12 he included all who do God's will in his family, and on the cross he provided for Mary's care (John 19:26–27).