-
BrotherInsight on the Scriptures, Volume 1
-
-
Brothers of Jesus. The four Gospels, the Acts of Apostles, and two of Paul’s letters mention “the Lord’s brothers,” “the brother of the Lord,” “his brothers,” “his sisters,” naming four of the “brothers”: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. (Mt 12:46; 13:55, 56; Mr 3:31; Lu 8:19; Joh 2:12; Ac 1:14; 1Co 9:5; Ga 1:19) The majority of Bible scholars accept the cumulative evidence that Jesus had at least four brothers and two sisters and that all were offspring of Joseph and Mary by natural means after the miraculous birth of Jesus.
The arbitrary notions that these brothers of Jesus were sons of Joseph by a former marriage, or by levirate marriage with Joseph’s sister-in-law, must be classified as fictitious, since there is no factual confirmation or even a suggestion to this effect in the Scriptures. The claim that “brother” (a·del·phosʹ) here means “cousin” (a·ne·psi·osʹ) is a theoretical contention, the invention of which is credited to Jerome, and dates back no earlier than 383 C.E. Not only does Jerome fail to cite any support for his newborn hypothesis but in later writings he wavers in his opinions and even expresses misgivings about his “cousin theory.” J. B. Lightfoot states that “St Jerome pleaded no traditional authority for his theory, and that therefore the evidence in its favour is to be sought in Scripture alone. I have examined the scriptural evidence, and the . . . combination of difficulties . . . more than counterbalances these secondary arguments in its favour, and in fact must lead to its rejection.”—St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, London, 1874, p. 258.
In the Greek Scriptures where the account involved a nephew or cousin, a·del·phosʹ is not used. Rather, the relationship is explained, as “the son of Paul’s sister” or “Mark the cousin [a·ne·psi·osʹ] of Barnabas.” (Ac 23:16; Col 4:10) In Luke 21:16, the Greek words syg·ge·nonʹ (relatives, such as cousins) and a·del·phonʹ (brothers) both occur, showing that the terms are not used loosely or indiscriminately in the Greek Scriptures.
When, during Jesus’ ministry, “his brothers were, in fact, not exercising faith in him,” this would certainly rule out their being his brothers in a spiritual sense. (Joh 7:3-5) Jesus contrasted these fleshly brothers with his disciples, who believed in him and who were his spiritual brothers. (Mt 12:46-50; Mr 3:31-35; Lu 8:19-21) This lack of faith on the part of his fleshly brothers prohibits identifying them with apostles of the same names: James, Simon, Judas; they are explicitly distinguished from Jesus’ disciples.—Joh 2:12.
-
-
BrotherInsight on the Scriptures, Volume 1
-
-
After Jesus’ resurrection his fleshly brothers changed their doubting attitude, for they were present with their mother and the apostles when assembled for prayer after Jesus’ ascension. (Ac 1:14) This suggests that they were present also at the outpouring of the holy spirit on the day of Pentecost. Jesus’ brother James, who was singled out prominently among the older men of the governing body in Jerusalem, wrote the letter bearing his name. (Ac 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; Ga 1:19; Jas 1:1) Jesus’ brother Jude penned the book bearing his name. (Jude 1, 17) Paul indicates that at least some of Jesus’ brothers were married.—1Co 9:5.
-