Michael Brooks
The Bible does not provide much insight into Jesus' childhood, and there is debate over whether Mary and Joseph had other children. Some Catholic, Assyrian, and Eastern Orthodox traditions teach that Mary remained a virgin after giving birth to Jesus, and that Jesus' brothers and sisters were cousins or step-brothers from a previous marriage of Joseph. However, Protestant traditions affirm the belief that Jesus had biological siblings, who were the children of Mary and Joseph.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of children | At least 7, including Jesus |
| Virginity of Mary | Catholic and Orthodox traditions say she remained a virgin, while Protestants say she didn't |
| Joseph's previous marriage | Catholic, Assyrian, and Eastern Orthodox traditions say the other children were from Joseph's previous marriage, while Protestants say they were Mary and Joseph's biological children |
| Jesus' brothers | James, Joseph, Jude, Simon, and Judas |
| Jesus' sisters | Names unknown |
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What You'll Learn
Mary and Joseph had at least six children together
The Bible does not provide much insight into Jesus' childhood. However, it is believed that Mary and Joseph had at least six children together, in addition to Jesus.
Some traditions, particularly Roman Catholics, believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary, meaning she remained a virgin even after giving birth to Jesus. However, this doctrine is not supported by Scripture and is based on tradition and narrative. The Bible clearly indicates that Mary and Joseph's marriage functioned like any other marriage after Jesus' birth.
The New Testament presents Jesus as having a relatively large "family" in Nazareth, including at least four brothers: James, Joseph or Joses, Jude or Judas, and Simon, as well as unnamed sisters. These siblings are referred to as the ""normal" biological children of both Mary and Joseph, born after Jesus.
The brothers of Jesus are mentioned in the Bible, such as in Acts 1:14, where they are among the one hundred and twenty praying in the upper room after Jesus' death and resurrection. James, one of Jesus' brothers, is specifically mentioned as initially being a skeptic but later becoming a follower of Jesus.
While there are differing interpretations, the belief that Mary and Joseph had several children together is supported by Scripture and aligns with the understanding of the language used during that time.
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The Catholic Church teaches that Mary remained a virgin
The Catholic Church teaches that Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, remained a virgin throughout her life. This belief is called the "perpetual virginity of Mary" and is held by Catholics, Assyrians, and Eastern Orthodox Christians. According to this doctrine, Mary conceived Jesus miraculously through the power of the Holy Spirit, and she did not engage in marital relations with Joseph.
However, this teaching has been a subject of controversy, as some Scripture passages suggest that Jesus had brothers and sisters. For example, in Matthew 13:55, Jesus is referred to as "the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon." This has led to differing interpretations among Christian denominations. Some argue that these "brothers" were cousins or step-brothers from Joseph's previous marriage, as evidenced by the use of the word "adelphoi," which can have a broader meaning. Additionally, in some cultures, the terms "brother" and "sister" are commonly used to refer to extended family or village members.
In contrast, Protestant traditions affirm the belief that Jesus had biological brothers and sisters who were children of both Mary and Joseph. They base this interpretation on the plain meaning of the New Testament passages. However, it is important to note that the Bible does not provide significant details about Jesus' childhood or family life.
The debate around Mary's perpetual virginity is not just a matter of scriptural interpretation but also reflects the theological commitments of different Christian traditions. While Catholics emphasize Mary's unique role as the mother of Jesus, Protestants may focus more on the humanity of Jesus and the normalcy of his family life. Ultimately, the question of Mary's virginity after Jesus' birth remains a subject of ongoing dialogue and reflection among Christians.
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Jesus' siblings became believers
The Bible does not specify when Jesus's siblings became believers, but it is known that they did. Jesus's siblings are said to have shifted from being unbelievers to believers at some point during his life. After his death and resurrection, Jesus's brothers were among the one hundred and twenty praying in the upper room, along with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Bible also mentions that Mary and Jesus's brothers were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and became contributors to the birth of the new church that was formed in the book of Acts.
The most well-known of Jesus's siblings is James. Like his other family members, James started as a skeptic but became a follower of Jesus. James is referred to as "James, the Lord's brother" in Galatians 1:19–2:12, and it is almost universally assumed that "the Lord" refers to Jesus. James is described as a man in his prime, making it somewhat unlikely that he was the eldest of five brothers, the youngest of whom was presumably born at least fifty years earlier.
The question of whether Jesus had siblings at all is a contentious one, with different interpretations arising from the same biblical passages. Some traditions, including Catholic, Assyrian, and Eastern Orthodox, teach that Jesus's siblings were not the biological children of Mary and Joseph but may have been cousins or step-siblings from Joseph's previous marriage. This doctrine is known as the "perpetual virginity of Mary". However, Protestant traditions affirm the interpretation that Jesus had brothers and sisters who were the biological children of Mary and Joseph after Jesus's birth.
The New Testament presents Jesus as having at least four brothers: James, Joseph or Joses, Jude or Judas, and Simon, as well as unnamed sisters. When Jesus was rejected in his hometown of Nazareth, the people who knew him and his family well referred to him as "the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon" and asked if his sisters were not there with them. This passage suggests that Jesus's siblings were younger than him, which would not affect Mary's virginity until after she gave birth to Jesus.
The interpretation of Jesus's siblings as biological children of Mary and Joseph is supported by the argument that it would have been unlikely for Mary and Joseph to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, leaving other children behind. Additionally, if there had been older siblings, Jesus would not have entrusted Mary to the care of the Apostle John during his crucifixion.
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The Bible doesn't mention Jesus' sisters
The Bible does not mention Jesus' sisters by name. However, unnamed sisters are mentioned in Mark and Matthew. The Gospel of Philip, an apocryphal 3rd-century text, mentions a sister named Mary, and Salome, who appears in the late 2nd-century Gospel of James, is also considered a possible sister.
The Bible does mention Jesus' brothers by name. James, Joses (a form of Joseph), Simon, and Jude are named in the New Testament as brothers of Jesus. These brothers are mentioned in several Bible verses, including Matthew 12:46, Luke 8:19, and Mark 3:31, which say that Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him. The Bible also tells us that Jesus had sisters, but they are not named or numbered (Matthew 13:56).
There are several theories about the relationship of these brothers and sisters to Jesus. One theory suggests that they were the children of Mary and Joseph, making them half-siblings of Jesus. Another theory, held by the Catholic Church, proposes that they were the sons of Mary of Clopas, who was the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus, or a sister-in-law to Joseph, making them cousins of Jesus. A third theory, held by the Eastern Orthodox Church, suggests that they were the sons of Joseph from a previous marriage, making them step-brothers of Jesus.
The idea that Mary remained a virgin after giving birth to Jesus, known as the "perpetual virginity of Mary," is upheld by some traditions, primarily Roman Catholics. However, there is no biblical evidence to support this claim, and it is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. The Bible describes Mary and Joseph's marriage as functioning like any other marriage after Jesus was born, suggesting the possibility of them having more children together.
While the specific names and relationships of Jesus' sisters remain unknown, their existence is acknowledged in the Bible, and they were likely a part of his family life and upbringing in Nazareth.
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Jesus' brothers are mentioned in Matthew 13:55
The Bible does not provide much information about Jesus' childhood, and it is not clear whether Mary and Joseph had other children. However, in Matthew 13:55, Jesus' brothers are mentioned: "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't His mother's name Mary, and aren't His brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?". The Greek word used in this passage for "brother" is "adelphos", which can be used to describe siblings or other relations. Some Catholic, Assyrian, and Eastern Orthodox traditions teach that Jesus' brothers were not the biological children of Mary and Joseph but may have been cousins or step-brothers from Joseph's previous marriage. This doctrine, known as the perpetual virginity of Mary, holds that Mary remained a virgin even after Jesus was born. However, Protestant traditions interpret the New Testament to mean that Jesus had brothers and sisters who were the biological children of Mary and Joseph.
The Bible mentions Jesus' brothers and sisters as part of his family" and "home" in Nazareth. After Jesus' death and resurrection, his brothers are mentioned as being among the one hundred and twenty praying in the upper room, filled with the Holy Spirit, and contributing to the birth of a new church. Of Jesus' brothers, James is mentioned the most in the Bible. Like his other family members, James was initially a skeptic but later became a follower of Jesus.
While there is no definitive answer, it is generally believed that Mary and Joseph had at least seven children, including Jesus, and that they grew up together.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic position is that Mary remained a virgin after giving birth to Jesus and did not have any other children. However, the Bible mentions Jesus' brothers and sisters, who were likely cousins or step-siblings from Joseph's previous marriage.
Jesus' brothers are said to be James, Joseph or Joses, Simon, Judas or Jude, and possibly three sisters, who are not named.
Initially, Jesus' siblings did not believe he was the Messiah, but after his death and resurrection, they became followers of Jesus and were among the one hundred and twenty praying in the upper room.
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