Today's incident described in Matthew is also accounted for in the other synoptic Gospels which lends strength to the historicity of this event. While the saying, "Blood is thicker than water" holds true when it comes to prioritising family over outsiders, Jesus breaks the mould and introduces a level of relationship that may be stronger than blood ties. His concept of love is associated with the Greek concept of philia (a dispassionate love, often between equals, that grows steadily over time) and agape (an active, chosen commitment to the well-being of others without expecting anything in return, often described as God's love for humanity) as opposed to storge (natural, familial love, representing the instinctual affection, bond, and emotional connection that develops between parents and children, or among siblings).

Love for God must necessarily mean not just love for one's neighbours, but more challengingly, love for one's enemies and persecutors. This is the highest standard of love that is only possible with divine grace, and the person who does so is indeed doing the Will of the heavenly Father.

Contrary to the suggestion that Jesus was alienating His own family in favour of His followers, the Lord in fact affirms them as doers of the Father's Will. The Blessed Mother herself is well known for her "not my will but Your Will be done," thus making her not only family to Jesus, but the disciple par excellence.