2007-01-20 03:51:07 · 16 answers · asked by lize 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, He did have brothers and sisters. " 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 sister, are they not all with us?" Matthew 13:55,56.
The following passage is most important regarding Mary's other children. " And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son..." Matthew 1:25 . Jesus WAS Mary's firstborn son, but not her only son or daughter for that matter.
Infant mortality was so high in those times, that girls married young around 14-15. So as to bring as many children into the world as possible to assure that at least one or two would survive to adulthood. In the hope of providing additional wage earners. Life expectancy was about 40.
2007-01-20 04:14:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics often think "no" because they hold Mary up as the eternal virgin (they suggest that when Jesus' mother and brothers and sisters come to try to get him to calm down his preaching and come back home - the Bible is actually talking about his cousins) ]
There's some room for it in the Greek in that people lived in extended families and so there wouldn't be that much difference between cousins or siblings but I see no reason why Mary and Joseph couldn't have had more children.
Also James who was the head of the church in Jerusalem was Jesus' brother according to the book of Acts.
2007-01-20 11:57:53 · answer #2 · answered by Grace 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. While the terms "brethren", "brother", or "sister" are used in the Bible (eg Mt 12:46, Mk 6:3, Acts 1:14, 1 Cor 9:5, etc). These terms have a much broader meaning in the Bible than we use these terms typically in todays modern English. They are not restricted to brothers germain or half brothers. The same goes for sister or brethren. For some clear evidence of this see Gen 14:14 where Lot is drescribed as Abraham's brother, but Lot was clearly the son of Aran, Abraham's brother germain, so Lot was his nephew. If you want more in depth, please do not hesitate to contact me.
2007-01-20 12:23:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Mark 4:31 it says, "Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived."
This is largely presumed to be Jesus' half brothers, sons of Mary and Joseph. One of which is believed to have authored the book of James in the NT.
This question is probably most significant to people of Catholic tradition due to the belief in the Immaculate Conception, Mary. The perpetual virgin theology is hard to align with the literal translation of these passages. However, it is translated in such a way by some to reconcile with Catholic beliefs. I cannot speak to this with much authority, sorry.
2007-01-20 12:04:01 · answer #4 · answered by James 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - half brothers and sisters, and possibly step-brothers and sisters from Joseph, but that is not documented. His brother, James, became the head of the Church in Jerusalem before being martyred.
2007-01-20 11:55:54 · answer #5 · answered by padwinlearner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Although Joseph did not touch her until after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had a normal married life with children.
2007-01-20 12:10:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes he did, Mary mothered children by Joseph, even some of Jesus disciples were his half brothers.
2007-01-20 11:56:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, most people thought Joseph was his father.
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.
2007-01-20 11:58:55 · answer #8 · answered by Holly Marie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2007-01-20 11:55:16 · answer #9 · answered by gwhiz1052 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to tradition, yes. His borther, James, was the author of the Epistle of James toward the end of the NT.
Famour quote of James, 'Faith without deeds is dead'
2007-01-20 11:55:26 · answer #10 · answered by Theophile 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋