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 said to Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray you, between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are men, brothers.
And Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus;
Is not this the carpenter's son? 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? Then from where does this man have all these things?
among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
And He appointed Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
And hearing, those with Him went out to take hold of Him; for they said, He is insane.
Then His brothers and His mother came. And standing outside, they sent to Him, calling Him.
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him.
And also women were watching from a distance, among whom also was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less, and of Joses, and Salome,
And she brought forth her son, the First-born, and wrapped Him, and laid Him in a manger-- because there was no room for them in the inn.
Therefore His brothers said to Him, Move away from here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see the works that You do. For no one does anything in secret, while he himself seeks to be in public. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world. read more. For His brothers did not believe in Him.
And His mother stood by the cross of Jesus, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
And when they had come in, they went up into an upper room, where Peter and James, and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James; these all were continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.