In Matthew 12:49, Jesus redefines family as his disciples — a pattern Paul lives out by calling Rufus's mother his own.

In Matthew 12:50, Jesus says doing God's will makes one family — illustrating the spiritual bond Paul has with Rufus's mother.

In Mark 3:35, Jesus defines true family as those who do God's will — a concept embodied by Paul's relationship with Rufus's mother.

Mark 15:21 identifies Rufus as Simon of Cyrene's son — likely the same Rufus greeted here, adding background.

In 1 Timothy 5:2, Paul instructs treating older women as mothers — a practice he personally lives out here with Rufus's mother.