Matthew 12:50
Ὅστις γὰρ ἂν ποιήσῃ τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς αὐτός μου ἀδελφὸς καὶ ἀδελφὴ καὶ μήτηρ ἐστίν
Transliteration
Hostis gar an poiēsē to thelēma tou patros mou tou en ouranois autos mou adelphos kai adelphē kai mētēr estin.
The transliteration reflects a Koine-style pronunciation rather than Erasmian academic reconstruction.
Literal Translation
“For whoever does the will of my Father who is in the heavens, this one is my brother and sister and mother.”
The verse redefines family identity around obedience to the Father’s will rather than biological relationship.
Grammar Focus
| Greek Expression | Grammar | Function |
|---|---|---|
| ὅστις ἂν ποιήσῃ | Relative pronoun + particle + aorist subjunctive | Expresses a general condition: “whoever may do” |
| τὸ θέλημα | Accusative neuter singular noun | Direct object of ποιήσῃ |
| τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς | Articular prepositional phrase | Describes the Father as “the one in the heavens” |
| ἀδελφὸς καὶ ἀδελφὴ καὶ μήτηρ | Predicate nominatives | Defines relational identity |
The use of the aorist subjunctive after ἂν gives the statement a broad, universal sense rather than referring to one specific individual.
Vocabulary Builder
| Word | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ποιήσῃ | may do | Aorist subjunctive from ποιέω |
| θέλημα | will, desire | Often refers to divine purpose |
| οὐρανοῖς | heavens | Plural form common in Jewish Greek expression |
| μήτηρ | mother | Irregular third declension noun |
Syntax Insight
The verse begins with a broad conditional-relative construction:
ὅστις γὰρ ἂν ποιήσῃ
This pattern is common in Koine Greek when expressing a universal principle:
“whoever may do…”
The demonstrative pronoun αὐτός then gives strong emphasis:
“that very person is my brother…”
Instead of focusing on biological lineage, the syntax moves the emphasis toward shared obedience and spiritual kinship.
Practice Prompt
Examine the phrase:
ὅστις ἂν ποιήσῃ
Why does Matthew use the subjunctive mood instead of the indicative here?
Think about how the combination of ὅστις and ἂν creates an open-ended invitation that applies to any person rather than one fixed individual.
