Did Jesus have brothers and sisters?
-by Tony Warren When we carefully consider the Biblical record, the question itself seems quite ridiculous, because it is so clear even from the context of many of the scriptures that He did. The only major religion that chooses to dispute this is the Roman Catholic religion. Roman Catholicism dogmatically maintain that following the Lord’s birth, Mary continued in her virginity the rest of her life and never bore any more children. This in direct contradiction to everything in scripture which shows that though Joseph and Mary did not come together before Jesus was born, they did afterward, and the Lord indeed blessed them with Children. With so much Biblical validation for this, the question is, why would anyone attempt to dispute it, or even want to? The answer is as simple as the word ‘tradition’. It is because these scriptures directly contradict Roman Catholic tradition which glorifies Mary as a perpetual virgin, Co-Redemptrix, and Mediatrix. If this church were to confess that th
The scriptures are plain and decided about the fact that Jesus had brothers and sisters. “Is not this the carpenter’s son?,” the Jews asked, “is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are thy not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?” (Matt. 13: 55, 56). It is evident that the Greek adelphos (brothers/sisters) is used in the case of Jesus’ brothers and sisters in the flesh. There is also no evidence or reason to say that these were Joseph’s children by a previous marriage. Why is there any doubt about Jesus having brothers and sisters? In the first place, it must be understood that Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus (Matt. 1: 18-25). Hence, Jesus’ brothers and sisters were subsequent to Jesus’ birth (see also Matt. 12: 47). The main reason there is controversy over this matter is because of the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, a Catholic doctrine. You see, part of the reason for t
WHEN Jesus came to His own hometown synagogue to preach, he astonished the people with His teachings. In their amazement, they asked, “Whence hath THIS man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 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?” (Matt. 13:54-56). Notice it! This scripture clearly states that Christ had FOUR brothers, all of them being personally named. The added question, “And his sisters, are they not ALL with us?” implies that He had AT LEAST THREE SISTERS. If He had only two, they would have used the term, “both,” instead of “all.” Some claim that these were not really brothers and sisters, only cousins. But Scripture reveals this is NOT TRUE. Here is the proof. The word “brethren” is translated from the Greek word for “brother” — “adelphos.” This word may mean a spiritual brother, but it does not mean “cousin.” The English word “cousin” in Luke 1:36 and
