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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And Abram will say to Lot, Now there shall not be strife between me and between thee, and between my shepherds and between thy shepherds, for we are men brethren.
And to Laban two daughters: the name to the great, Leah; and the name to the small, Rachel.
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James, he of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, he surnamed Thaddeus;
Is not this the son of the carpenter? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then to him all these?
Among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James him of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
And they with him, having heard, came forth to take hold of him: for they said, That he is affected in mind.
Then came his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, they sent to him, calling him.
Is not this the carpenter, son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Jude, and Simon and are not his sisters here with us? And they were scandalized in him.
And women also were beholding from far: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary of James the small and the mother of Joses, and Salome;
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and swathed him, and put him in a mangier; : for there was no place for them in the inn.
Then said his brethren to him, Go away thence, and retire to Judea, that also thy disciples might see thy works which thou doest. For none does any thing in secret, and seeks himself to be in freedom of speech. If thou do these, make thyself manifest to the world. read more. For neither believed his brethren in him.
And by the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
And when they came in, they went up into an upper room, where were remaining also Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas of James. All these were persevering unanimously in prayer and supplication, with women, and Mary mother of Jesus, with his brethren.