All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Did Jesus have siblings?
I'm just curious because it seems that Mary and Joseph had other children after they had Jesus and these verses indicate it:
Mathew 1:25: And [Joseph] knew her not till she had brought forth her
firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS.
Mathew 12:46-47: While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and
his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and
thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Mathew 13:55-56 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called
Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon,
and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?
Whence then hath this man all these things?
Mark 3:31-32: There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent
unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said
unto him, Behold, thy mother and
thy brethren without seek for thee.
Mark 6:3: Is not this the carpenter, the son of
Mary, the brother of James,
and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?
And they were offended at him.
Luke 2:7: And she brought forth her FIRSTBORN son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them
in the inn.
Luke 8:20-21 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see
thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are
these which hear the word of God, and
do it.
John:7:3: His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the
works that thou doest.
Could His brethren have been His disciples or could they have been His siblings? At first I thought Mathew 13:55-56 was talking about His disciples but the Bible never mentions that He had a follower called Joses. If they wereWhat does everyone else believe?
Mathew 1:25: And [Joseph] knew her not till she had brought forth her
firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS.
Mathew 12:46-47: While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and
his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and
thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
Mathew 13:55-56 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called
Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon,
and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?
Whence then hath this man all these things?
Mark 3:31-32: There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent
unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said
unto him, Behold, thy mother and
thy brethren without seek for thee.
Mark 6:3: Is not this the carpenter, the son of
Mary, the brother of James,
and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?
And they were offended at him.
Luke 2:7: And she brought forth her FIRSTBORN son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them
in the inn.
Luke 8:20-21 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see
thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are
these which hear the word of God, and
do it.
John:7:3: His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the
works that thou doest.
Could His brethren have been His disciples or could they have been His siblings? At first I thought Mathew 13:55-56 was talking about His disciples but the Bible never mentions that He had a follower called Joses. If they wereWhat does everyone else believe?
Views: 175
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on
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If my memory does not fail me the whole Christian family that holds to the essentials of Christianity believes that Jesus had biological brothers. Only the Catholic Church is against this truth.
Luke 8:20-21 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are
these which hear the word of God, and
do it.
His disciples where with Him, so "...thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee"... must refer to His blood brothers.
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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Hi Angel,
The bible teaches that Jesus had siblings.
Also, there is no indication that Jesus was an only child.
Blessings, Carla
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Permalink Reply by Imperator on
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My dear sister in Christ,
As far as I am aware, Jesus indeed had brothers and sisters. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and became man when Mary was still a virgin ( this was predicted about 1,500 years earlier). After the the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph had a 'normal' family life, where they had many children. If you read the New Testament closely you will find all the answers. It is widely believed that James the apostle was a blood brother of Jesus.
However, many people find this answer as heretical as they believe Jesus was devine and His brothers and sisters could not possibly be called His brothers and sisters as they were 'normal' human beings.
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Thank you for your input Imperator,
Jesus is 100% God, and 100% human... any siblings he had were 1/2 siblings--yes they were 'normal humans'...Jesus is divine, he was also human. It is not heretical to reconcile the two.
I am also feeling led to remind this scripture in this forum.. Just so that this doesn't lead to divisiveness.. Blessings...
Titus 3:9-11 (NIV):-
“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”
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Permalink Reply by Sharon Theresa Theil on
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This is an excellent look at this subject from a Catholic Christian perspective from Amber over at This Catholic Journey blog:
Did Jesus Have Brothers?
The following verse is often used to "prove" that Mary had other children:
Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.Notice one thing… Mark 6:3 says THE son of Mary, not “a” son… more on this verse below. Look at the following passages in Genesis:
Gen 14:14
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
Gen 11:27
Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
In Gen 14:14, it says “brother” (some translations render this as kinsman). But in Gen 11:27, we already read that Lot was Abrams nephew. This is because there was no Hebrew word for nephew. Just like there wasn’t one for cousin, uncle, niece, aunt, etc. They had to use the word “brother”.
Check out the following verses:
Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Matthew 27:55-56
And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
According to Mark 6:3, didn't it say that this Mary was the mother of Jesus and was also the mother of James and Joses? But Matthew 27 says that a different Mary is the mother of James and Joses. Well, we know that this Mary (mother of James and Joses) was NOT the mother of Jesus because it says she was looking on from afar and Jesus’ mother was standing at the foot of the cross.
John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
Mark15:47
And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
Don’t you think Scripture would have said the mother of Jesus if they were referring to the same Mary?
Scripture doesn’t contradict itself. So, what is going on? One idea that is plausible is that James and Joses are Jesus’ cousins (or other kinsmen) but they are called “brothers” because the Jews didn’t have a separate word for close relatives. So, Scripture does NOT clearly or explicitly state that Mary had other children.
How about this passage:
Acts 1:14-15
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,
There were 120 people? Think about it... there were 11 apostles (at that time), Jesus’ mother (that makes 12 people), plus the women (approximately 3 but let’s even say a dozen or more just to be fair). That would mean Jesus had about 80 or 90 brothers! Clearly the use of the word "brothers" does not necessarily mean they were all brothers as we understand the term today.
Also, if Mary had any other sons, wouldn't Jesus have given his mother over to them to care for? In that day, it would have been highly offensive for Jesus to ask anyone other than his own brothers to look after their mother, yet this is what he did in his final moments...
John 19:26-27
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
So, we can show that Scripture does not contradict the concept that Mary could have been a perpetual virgin… and it is, therefore, fair and logical to believe such a teaching.
On a side note about this topic... It’s logical to believe that anyone who carried Christ, the Son of God and Holiest of Holy, in her womb would not later defile that womb by conceiving a sinful person. It was common in that day to be consecrated as a virgin and take on a spouse, who’s purpose was to protect that vow. This is said about Mary in other ancient texts, which may also aid us in knowing the surrounding context of Scripture.
Hope this helps!
In His Name and by His Grace,
Sharon.
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Sharon,
You say: Scripture doesn’t contradict itself. So, what is going on? One idea that is plausible is that James and Joses are Jesus’ cousins (or other kinsmen) but they are called “brothers” because the Jews didn’t have a separate word for close relatives. So, Scripture does NOT clearly or explicitly state that Mary had other children.
The New Testament was written in Greek and not Hebrew. Jesus had biological brothers. The Chatolic church is wrong to make Mary be something scripture does not teach.
Lord bless you sister.
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David,
This is from Antiochian Orthodox "...the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (Acts 11:26).
The four Evangelists agreed that Jesus had four brothers. With the passing of time, that teaching becomes a source of doubt that the Virgin Mary had accepted after the birth of Jesus to marry and bore children (four). Therefore, She was not virgin.
If we accept such a theory we will come to the conclusion that the birth of Jesus was but a passing event in the Virgin’s life.
This teaching contradicts the Biblical and traditional truth. Jesus Christ was Her only Begotten. That was clear especially from the event of the Cross where he asked John, His disciple to take care of His Mother: “From that moment he took Her to his own”. (John 19:27) means She went and lived with him. The other four brothers are: Jacob, Yossi, Judas and Simon. In Matthew 13:55 we read: “Isn’t He the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his Mother called Mary? And his brothers James and Joses, and Simon and Judas? And his sisters are all with us……….”
There are four brothers in addition to sisters we do not know their names. A short study to the Jewish tradition and in comparison with the New Testament we get the answer to the question. According to the tradition, the close relatives were called brothers. In Genesis 11:27 says: Now these are the generations of Terah, Terah beget Abraham, Nabar, and Haram, Haram begat Lot. Abraham is Lot’s uncle, but here is presented as brother to Lot. In Jenesis 13:8 says: and Abram said unto Lot: let there be no strife, I pray thee, between thee, and me…for we are brothers.
In John 19:25 says: “Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother, and his Mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas …….Jesus’ Mother name is Mary and her sister is also Mary? The sister here is but a first cousin.
In Luke 6:16 says: and Judas the brother of James and Judas Iscariot………..is the author of the Judas Epistle in which he presents himself as, “Juda’s the servant of Jesus church and brother of James….1:1) He is one of the four brothers and he is called by the name of his oldest brother James. James is the author of an Epistle that carries his name and presents himself as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:1) St Paul in his epistle to Galatians 1:19 say “But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
All of the four brothers recognize their older brother James. Here, we get to the final solution which the church has accepted and lived, and to compare the quotation we have mentioned where the women were discussed. At Jesus Cross were standing: Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the Mother of Zebedees children (27:56). The second Marie is James and Joses mother (they are the first two names mentioned of the four brothers. Then He mentioned the name of the woman who went early morning with the others to the Tomb of Jesus to anoint him “Mark 16:1.
Marie the Magdalene” the mother of the two Zabadees sons, James and John who were two disciples with the 12th she is then the mother of James and Joses. See (Luke 24:10) Mary Magdalene, Joha’ and Mary the mother of James, Mark 15:40. There were also women looking from afar off, among them Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less, and of Joses and Salome” James is the son of Mary and called the less to recognize him from James the Disciple.
St. John more than the other clarifies the point in 19:25 “now there stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother, and His Mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene who is different from the Theotokos. She is cousin but is called sister, married to a man Cleophas, that is the same name we read in the Emmeaus story where Jesus met two men, discussed….Luke 24:18.
Evangelist Matthew names this Mary: “James Mother and she is known the other Mary and mentioned after Mary the Magdalene. The Evangelist Mark calls her mother of James the less”. St. John the Evangelist names her husband name the father of her four children, James, Yosi, Simon and Judah who are called by the Evangelist the brothers of Jesus.
Since we know their father and mother, they remained with the traditional name of the time where there was blood relationship.
The true is that the four are not Jesus brothers, etc.
i.e. They were not the children of the Theotokos, who was before birth, during birth and after birth remained Virgin.
Love in Christ,
Sharon
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Permalink Reply by Edward George Farrell on
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I just wanted to add couple of quick comments on this.
1) Jesus would certainly have picked John to care for his mother. Most ancient authorites state that Jesus's brother did not become a disicle till after the resurrection. James the brother of Jesus became know as James the Righteous and was the leader of the Jerusalem Church, He must not be confused with the Apostle James.
2) The ancient texts that state the perpetual virginity of Mary are later texts written by gentiles and show no understanding of Jewish customs.
3) I don't see how having other children would take away from the miracle of the virgin birth. Childbirth is not a sinful act. As for Jesus being in the womb that would later have a sinful child in it, It was no problem for Jesus to be in the womb of a sinful woman. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
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My dear sister Theresa,
On a side note about this topic... It’s logical to believe that anyone who carried Christ, the Son of God and Holiest of Holy, in her womb would not later defile that womb by conceiving a sinful person. It was common in that day to be consecrated as a virgin and take on a spouse, who’s purpose was to protect that vow. This is said about Mary in other ancient texts, which may also aid us in knowing the surrounding context of Scripture.
You stated the above to mean that because Mary conceived God Incarnate, her function and duty has ceased and that she should not have had a normal family life that she should always remain a virgin. The role of Mary was just to be the vessel for Christ. His birth was predicted about 1,500 years previously and Mary fulfilled that function when she conceived a child while still a virgin. As I am also from the Roman Catholic background, I have a big issue where Mary is called 'mother of God'. Nowhere in the bible does Jesus call her mother. If one reads the bible closely you will find that He refers to Mary as 'woman'. God does not have a mother. In catholicicsm, Mary is revered almost as a deity. Catholics should come round to the fact that she was just an ordinary woman blessed to carry the Son of God in her womb for nine months and give birth as foretold in the Torah. I know many catholics pray to Mary than pray to Jesus.
It also does not mean that she should not have a normal family life with Joseph and having children.
Does it matter if Jesus had siblings? He is still the saviour and Lord of us all.
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Imperator,
You seem to be contradicting yourself, on the one hand you state I have a big issue where Mary is called 'mother of God'. Nowhere in the bible does Jesus call her mother. If one reads the bible closely you will find that He refers to Mary as 'woman'. God does not have a mother.
and then, she was just an ordinary woman blessed to carry the Son of God in her womb for nine months and give birth as foretold in the Torah.
I may have to check my dictionary but I think that to carry Jesus in her womb for nine months and give birth to Him makes Mary the mother of Jesus. Moreover, since Jesus is God, and Mary is the mother of Jesus, then Mary is the mother of God.
Peace Be with You,
Sharon.
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Permalink Reply by Serenity on
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JAMES
5. James, the brother of Jesus. James is first mentioned as the oldest of Jesus' four younger brothers (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3).
In the third and fourth centuries A.D., when the idea of the perpetual virginity of Mary gained ground, a number of church fathers argued that James was either a stepbrother to Jesus (by a former marriage of Joseph) or a cousin. But both options are forced. The New Testament seems to indicate that Mary and Joseph bore children after Jesus (Matt 1:25; 12:47; Luke 2:7; John 2:12; Acts 1:14), and that the second oldest was James (Matt 13:55-56; Mark 6:3). The gospels reveal that Jesus' family adopted a skeptical attitude toward His ministry (Matt 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21; John 7:5). James apparently held the same attitude, because his name appears in no lists of the apostles, nor is he mentioned elsewhere in the gospels.
After Jesus' crucifixion, however, James became a believer. Paul indicated that James was a witness to the resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor 15:7). He called James an apostle (Gal 1:19), though like himself, not one of the original Twelve (1 Cor 15:5,7).
In the Book of Acts, James emerges as the leader of the church in Jerusalem. His brothers also became believers and undertook missionary travels (1 Cor 9:5). But James considered it his calling to oversee the church in Jerusalem (Gal 2:9). He advocated respect for the Jewish law (Acts 21:18-25), but he did not use it as a weapon against Gentiles. Paul indicated that James endorsed his ministry to the Gentiles (Gal 2:1-10).
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
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Permalink Reply by Stacey Osana Arquines on
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Hi :) <3
to answer your question I will leave you questions to gain the answer from Jesus Christ himself as you pray with him :) about such brotherhood/sisterhood(s)
what does it mean to be a brother?
what does it mean to have a sister?
what does it mean to have a family?
why do we have siblings?
what does adoption mean?
what does begotten mean?
what do we do when people attack out friends or family what would we call them after such a long friendship?
why is it important for all people to build brotherly/sisterly relations?
Where are we without family?
what is this world with the siblings?
why is it important to unconditionally love others?
what is family?
would you rather have a small or huge family?
l.o.l.i.c.
<3 :)
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