S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Jesus' brothers are mentioned in several Bible verses. Matthew 12:46, Luke 8:19, and Mark 3:31 say that Jesus' mother and brothers came to see Him. The Bible tells us that Jesus had four brothers: ...

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July 01 2013 • 5 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ezekiel Kimosop Supporter

I believe Jesus had an unknown number of brothers but there is no mention of his sisters in Scripture.

Contrary to what the Roman Catholics teach, there is no biblical evidence to prove that Mary remained in perpetual virginity after bearing Jesus. The teaching by the Roman Catholics that the brothers of Jesus were from a previous marriage relationship of Joseph or were cousins is in my view a convenience story to support their unbiblical doctrine.

When the Bible teaches in Matthew 12:47 that Jesus' mother and brothers came asking to speak to him, the Greek word "adelphos" for brothers is applied in its ordinary construction [cf. Luke 8;20; Mark 3:32]. If the Bible writer intended to mention Jesus's cousins by name, he would have cared to do so.

When the Roman Catholics insist that the word "brothers" can refer to cousins without any additional secondary information from Scripture, one can only speculate that the claim is intended to satisfy their preconceived doctrinal assumptions.

The biggest argument underlying the this teaching is their claim that God could not permit Mary's "holy womb" to be defiled by sexual relations with a man. This argument is based on the false belief that marriage defiles a person. Nothing could be further from the truth! If a person is biblically and lawful married and they abstain from adultery or any sexual impurity, then they are chaste in God's eyes! 

To argue that Joseph did not have any children by Mary after Jesus' birth is in my view a misleading assertion that cannot be conclusively proved in the Bible. Instead there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. 

The fact that Bible authors may not have paid much attention to Mary's family does not in itself suggest that they did not exist. Little is mentioned about Joseph after Jesus birth. Does this suggest that he died after His birth? 

Why does the Bible not mention any details about Mary's life beyond Acts 1? Does this suggest that she died after Pentecost? 

If she moved in to stay with Apostle John as reported in John 19:27, why does the Apostle not mention her in any of his works?

My view is that the New Testament authors gave prominence to Jesus and members of His family, including His brothers [and sisters if any] did not receive much mention. Jesus was to increase as others decrease.

February 05 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report