Do you think that Jesus had brothers and sisters?

Question

Honest question, not poking fun or anything.

Joseph was a man, and Mary was his wife..whom he hadn't had sex with before the birth of Jesus, obviously, but don't you think he would have wanted some action at some point they would try to have other children?

**brothers and/or sisters

Answer 1

The Bible states that he had half-brothers and sisters by the same mother, but there is only one Son of God and that is Jesus.

Answer 2

I think Scripture is clear Joseph and Mary had a sexual relationship after Jesus' birth and Mary's ritual purification. See Matthew 1:25 for confirmation of this.

However, I do not think Mary ever had any other sons (whether she had any daughters, I do not know). Many people point to such passages as Matthew 12:46, Luke 8:19, John 7:1 and Galatians 1:9, and conclude Jesus must have had siblings; after all, the Bible says it, right?

But what they don't understand is that the Greek word translated into English as "brother" and "sister" has many meanings, including: an actual brother or sister; a very close friend; a cousin; or a fellow believer.

In the context of Jewish life back then, if a woman had no husband or son, she was destitute, with nearly no legal rights at all. The best she could hope for was that a close male relative would marry her and produce a son in her dead husband's name; this was known as a Levarite marriage (see the Book of Ruth and the tale of Onan and Tamar).

With this in mind, consider this: if Mary had at least one other son, why did Jesus tell her the apostle John was now her son? Why didn't Jesus tell one of His true brothers beforehand that he was now in charge of caring for Mary? I think the only logical answer is there were no other sons to function as protector for His mother.

Peace.

Answer 3

Yes Jesus had brothers & sisters....They are mentioned in the bible. the desiple John was his brother.

Joseph had children by a 1st wife...Mary was his second. & Mary had children younger than Jesus by Joseph.

Research it on the internet....or simply read your bible. & I don't mean to be acting as a "holy roler".....

But it's an interesting topic. & would make a good historical discussion.

Watch some of the documentries around Christmas time or Easter...The History channel has a documentry that does talk about this. Cause I have seen it.

Answer 4

John Chapter 7:1-13 These verses give reference to Jesus' earthy brothers. Joseph and Mary did have more children after the birth of our LORD Jesus. Actually, James is one of His brothers!

Answer 5

Yes, Jesus did have brothers and sisters by Mary and Joseph. U know their names are mentioned, but it escapes me right now.

Answer 6

Yes, he had 9 sisters and 6 brothers. I read in the bible that Jesus' mother was a whore, so she had lots of children.

Answer 7

Yes, He did have brothers and sisters, half though, as the other person mentioned.
One place it is mentioned is in the gospels where it mentions Jesus was talking with the crowd, in a house, I think, and someone came and said "your mother and brothers are here" and He said "who is my mother and who is my brother" meaning all were important to Him.
And the book of James? That was His brother.
PS just realized someone cut and pasted the scripture reference to which I was referring.

Answer 8

When Jesus first started preaching, His mother and brother-in came to see Him.

One of the Epistles says that Jude (who wrote the book of Jude) was the Lord's brother.

Answer 9

It would surprise me if he DIDN'T have any brothers or sisters. There is a contention that Jesus had a brother named James - they think they found his tomb, or his burial box or something similar. Whether or not Jesus had any brothers or sisters, or even a wife, doesn't really matter much to me. It doesn't make him less than my Savior.

Answer 10

Uh "action" aside, yes several places in the New testament mention Jesus' brothers. It is likely but not confirmed that he may have had one or more sisters as well.