PER127

A woman interrupts Jesus the Messiah

This article analyzes an incident reported by Luke in which a woman expresses her admiration for Jesus, highlighting the social change of the time. Jesus responds by emphasizing the importance of those who listen to and apply his teachings, transcending traditional family ties.

4 min Jesus woman Luke teaching family 4 verses 1 book

Resources

Biblical texts

Matthew
Matthew (King James Version) not cited in the book
Mark
Mark (King James Version) not cited in the book
Luke
Luke 11.27-28 (King James Version)

And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Luke
Luke 8.19-21 (King James Version)

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

John
John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Bar chart for the year 31

Place: Near the house in Capernaum in Galilee.

Date: October or November AD31

Method: We return to Luke

Note on the approach: Luke follows the same chronology.

Capernaum

Jesus the Messiah explains what happens when a person is freed from an evil spirit..

A woman interrupts Jesus the Messiah

The woman who speaks up

Comments

We include the second passage (Luke 8.19-21), which we will examine in the pericope PER137, because of the similarity of the subjects discussed.

We have observed that, while Jesus was teaching the crowd, some people could interrupt to ask questions or express ideas. In this particular case, a woman speaks up.

We know that, in first-century Jewish society, Jewish religious leaders forbade women to take part in religious debates, which were reserved exclusively for men.

Luke considers this intervention a major change worth reporting.

A woman, fervently expressing her admiration for the teachings of Jesus the Messiah, spontaneously declares that Jesus' mother must feel particularly honored and proud to have a son of such stature.

This passage, mentioned only by Luke, presents a different perspective from the statements of certain members of Jesus' family (PER121 : The testimony of Jesus' family).

In response to this statement, the Master emphasizes that true happiness belongs to those who not only listen to his teachings but also put them into practice. He is referring to people who are truly converted. Consequently, the woman who spoke should feel greater blessedness than Mary, who carried Jesus in her womb.

In the passage in Luke 8.19-21, Jesus explains that listening to the word and putting it into practice creates ties stronger than those of family.

In both cases, he mentions those who listen to the word. In the first case, he specifies those who hear it and keep it, while in the second he indicates those who hear it and put it into practice.

It therefore appears that those who keep the Word of Jesus the Messiah are also those who apply it in their actions.