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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Theophylact of Ohrid
But some take this to mean that certain men, hating Christ's teaching, and mocking at Him for His doctrine, said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without wishing to see thee; as if thereby to show His meanness of birth.
Titus of Bostra
His brethren thought that when He heard of their presence He would send away the people, from respect to His mother's name, and from His affection towards her, as it follows, And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without.
Western Saints
Ambrose of Milan
In a mystical sense he ought not to stand without, who was seeking Christ. Hence also that saying, Come unto him, and be enlightened (Ps. 34:6. Vulg.). For if they stand without, not even parents themselves are acknowledged; and perhaps for our example they are not. How are we acknowledged by Him if we stand without? That meaning also is not unreasonable, because by the figure of parents He points to the Jews of whom Christ was born, (Rom. 9:5.) and thought the Church to be preferred to the synagogue.
Bede
And it was announced to him: "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you." The word is inside, the light is inside; whence above: "So that those entering may see the light." So if even parents standing outside are not recognized, and perhaps they are not recognized as an example for our sake, how will we be recognized if we stand outside? …
Bonaventure
On account of which it is added: And it was told him: Your mother and your brothers, to whom you owe much affection by reason of kinship, stand outside, wishing to see you, through the affection of charity. And thus he is effectively sought, that he might pass over or go out to his relatives, both on account of nature to be acknowledged and on account of charity to be repaid. …
Translation