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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Then said Abram unto Lot, "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between thee and me, and between my herdsmen and thine, for we be brethren.
And Laban had two daughters, the eldest called Lea and the youngest Rachel.
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, otherwise called Thaddeus;
Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren be called, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not his sisters all here with us? Whence hath he all these things?"
Among which was Mary Magdalene; and Mary the mother of James and the mother of Joseph; and the mother of Zebedee's children.
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon of Canaan,
And when they that longed unto him heard of it, they went out to hold him. For they said, "He is too fervent."
And then came his mother and his brethren, and stood without, and sent unto him and called him:
Is not this that carpenter: Mary's son, the brother of James, and Joseph and of Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they were offended by the reason of him.
There were also women a good way off beholding him: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the little and of Joseph, and Mary Salome:
And she brought forth her first begotten son. And wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them within, in the inn.
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon called Zealotes,
His brethren therefore said unto him, "Get thee hence and go into Jewry that thy disciples may see thy works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing secretly, and he himself seeketh to be known. If thou do such things, show thyself to the world." read more. For as yet his brethren believed not in him.
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 were come in, they went up into a parlour, where abode both Peter and James, John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zealotes, and Judas James' son. These all continued with one accord, in prayer, and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
These all continued with one accord, in prayer, and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.