3:21a

When His family: The Greek idiom that the Berean Standard Bible translates as family is literally “those beside him.” Scholars have different opinions about what it refers to here:

(1) It refers to Jesus’ immediate family, in other words Jesus’ mother and brothers.

(2) It refers to Jesus’ extended family, in other words Jesus’ mother and cousins.

(3) It refers to Jesus’ friends. For example, the King James Version says:

And when his friends heard [of it]

Because the Greek idiom is vague, it is recommended that you use a general term like “family” or “relatives.” If you must use a more specific term, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and choose a term that refers to his mother and younger brothers.

heard about this: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as heard about this indicates that his family heard that Jesus did not stop his work even to eat.

3:21b

they went out: This refers to Jesus’ family leaving their home or home village.

to take custody of Him: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates with the idiom to take custody is literally “to grab” or “to seize.” For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

they went out to seize him

The NET Bible has another way to say this:

they went out to restrain him

This phrase implies that Jesus’ family wanted to bring him back home with them.

3:21c

saying: After saying there is a conjunction in Greek that means “because.” It introduces the reason for 3:21b. Jesus’ family went to seize him because they thought that he was crazy/mad. For example, the New Century Version says:

because they thought he was out of his mind

saying: Scholars disagree as to who was saying this:

(1) It is Jesus’ family. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

When Jesus’ family heard what he was doing, they thought he was crazy and went to get him under control.

(New International Version, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible)

(2) It refers to people in general. For example, the Good News Bible says:

…because people were saying, “He’s gone mad!”

(Good News Bible, Revised Standard Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The majority of English translations follow this interpretation.

3:21d

He is out of His mind: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates by the English idiom out of His mind means “insane/mad.” For example, the Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English says:

He must be mad!

General Comment on 3:21c–d

In some languages it may be natural to use indirect speech here. For example:

for they thought that he had become insane/mad
-or-
because they thought he was out of his mind (New Century Version)

General Comment on 3:21b–d

In this verse, 3:21c–d expresses the reason for the result in 3:21b. In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these clauses. For example:

21aWhen Jesus’ family heard about this, 21cthey said, 21d“He is out of his mind.” 21bSo they went to take charge of him.
-or-
21aWhen Jesus’ family heard about this, 21cthey said, 21d“He is out of his mind.” 21bThat is the reason why they went to take charge of him.

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