Reference: Brethren of the Lord
Hastings
Jesus was Mary's first-born (Lu 2:7), and she subsequently (according to the view accepted in the present article) bore to Joseph four sons, James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon, and several daughters (Mt 13:55-56 = Mr 6:3). During His ministry the Lord's brethren did not believe in Him. They sneered at Him (Joh 7:3-5), and once they concluded that He was mad, and wished to arrest Him and convey Him away from Capernaum (Mr 3:21,31). After the Resurrection, however, convinced by so tremendous a demonstration, they joined the company of the believers (Ac 1:14).
In early days, partly at least in the interests of the notion of Mary's perpetual virginity, two theories were promulgated in regard to the 'Brethren of the Lord.' (a) They were supposed to be sons of Joseph by a former marriage, having thus no blood-relationship with Jesus. So Origen, Clement of Alexandria, Epiphanius. (b) They were held to be His cousins, sons of Mary, the wife of Alph
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Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphseus, and Lebbceus, who was surnamed Thaddaeus;
Is not this the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers, James and Joses and Simon and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence, then, has this man all these things?
Among these was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the Son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
And when his relatives heard of it, they came out to take him; for they said: He is beside himself.
His mother and his brothers came, therefore, and standing without, sent to him, and called him.
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses and Judah and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they found in him cause for offense.
And there were, at a distance, women also, looking on; among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome;
and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swathing-clothes, and laid him in the stable, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphreus, and Simon who is called Zelotes,
Then his brothers said to him: Depart hence, and go into Judea, that your disciples may see your works which you do; for no one does any thing in secret, while he himself seeks to be before the public. If you do these things, show yourself to the world. read more. For neither did his brothers believe on him.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.
And when they had come in, they went up into an upper room, in which dwelt Peter and James, and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphasus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. All these, with one mind, continued in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
All these, with one mind, continued in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.