Why didn't Jesus give Mary to "his other brothers" instead of John when he was on the cross?

Question

if Jesus did have brothers wouldn't Jesus give mary to his brothers rather then his disciple who was not his brother?

Answer 1

Probably because the hebrew and greek words used for brother in that context also can mean cousin or close friend. it's entirely possible that when the Bible refers to the brothers of Jesus that it is speaking about His disciples.

You'd think protestants would get the idea of this easy concept, since even today many refer to close friends as brothers or sisters, but some even go so far as to insist that John was the physical brother of Jesus as well.

Answer 2

Perhaps his brothers weren't present at his crucifixion. John was faithful and was right there while Jesus was dying, and so was Jesus' mother. His other brothers may have been jealous of Jesus talking like he was the Son of God and decided, "finally that talker will be silenced". Afterall, Jesus sort of snubbed them showing that those in the Kingdom of Heaven are more important than people in immediate family.

Answer 3

Because he didn't HAVE any brothers or sisters. Jewish law would have demanded that his siblings care for their mother.

In most cultures, people live in extended families. Children in most are even brought up to call mom & dad's close friends as Aunt & Uncle rather than Mr. & Mrs.

Ancient Greek (not the Greek of today) had no word for nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, etc. They used what is called circumlocution....such as Paul's nephew being called the son of Paul's sister: "...But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul" (Acts 23:16). Neither Jesus' language of Aramaic nor Hebrew nor Ancient Greek (what the NY was written in) had words like nephew, cousin, etc. The ancient peoples were very clannish.

Answer 4

1. At the time of the crucifixion, his brothers did not believe that he was the messiah. They did not believe until after he was resurrected.
2. John was at the cross. His brothers were not there for him. How could he ask them if they were not there.

Answer 5

The other brothers were not believers at the time.
Jesus considered spiritual ties more important than family ties.
He chose John since he had constantly proved himself a humble and generous and caring person.

Answer 6

I asked this same question.
The reason is Jesus' brothers didn't believe in him until his Resurrection.
Jesus knew it would be best for his mother to be with his disciples!
Later some were leaders in the Christian church including Judas who wrote the book of Jude(common name back then) and James.
†

Answer 7

Maybe his "real" brothers weren't very responsible, and who knows, maybe they had large families or Mary just didn't get along with them? I mean, I don't know all the circumstances, but if I ever need "taking care of", I sure don't want to get stuck with my kids. I love them, but 24/7??? I already did that when they were young, not in any hurry to do it again.