[annalex]

There is no question that μενουνγε indicates a contrast. The question is, does it liken those "who hear the word of God, and keep it" to Mary or not; and does it condemn the act of veneration as such.

It does liken the faithful to Mary, because to "keep the word" is a double meaning since Christ is the Word, and Mary indeed kept the Word in her womb. Surely Jesus is not pointing to any defect of Mary since we know of none. Therefore Jesus says in effect: as you admire Mary as my physiological mother, so admire my disciples who keep my teachings also.

Secondly, we have already seen the reason for the contrasting word μενουνγε: it contrasts veneration for the physiological proximity to Christ with spiritual proximity. But the woman in the crowd is not stopped by Jesus; rather, her veneration is deepened and redirected by Jesus' remark.

[Springfield Reformer]

LOL. I am running off to work now. Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, I will get back to this. Short version: Wow. I haven’t seen gymnastics like this since Nadia whats-her-name. Catch ya later ...