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 Alpheus, and Lebbeus called Thaddeus;
Is not He the son of the carpenter? is not His mother called Mary? are not His brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And are not His sisters all here with us? Whence then are these things to Him?
among whom 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 Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot,
And those along with Him hearing came out to arrest Him: for they continued to say, He is beside Himself.
And His mother and His brothers come; and standing without, sent to Him, calling Him.
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary? the brother of James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Are not His sisters here with us? And they were offended in Him.
And there were women looking on from a distance: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and Joses, and Salome;
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called the Zealot;
Then His brothers said to Him; Depart hence, and go into Judea; in order that thy disciples shall see thy works which thou art doing. For no one does anything in secret, and Himself seeks to be public. If thou doest these things, show thyself to the world. read more. For His brothers were not believing on Him.
And by the cross of Jesus stood His mother, and the sister of His mother, Mary the mother of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
And when they came in, they went up into the upper room, where Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, were abiding. They were all persevering of one accord in prayer along with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.
They were all persevering of one accord in prayer along with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.