马太福音第十二章第47—50节，耶稣说遵循天父旨意的人就是他的弟兄姐妹和母亲。那么什么是天父的旨意（英文是：WILL OF GOD）呢？耶稣在约翰福音里回答了这个问题：即天父的旨意（和合本翻译为意思）是叫一切见子而信的人得永生并且在末日叫他复活。
约6:40 因为我父的意思、是叫一切见子而信的人得永生，并且在末日我要叫他复活。
This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
太12:50 凡遵行我天父旨意的人、就是我的弟兄姐妹和母亲了。
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother."