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
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James, the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, called Thaddeus;
Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? And are not his sisters all with us? Whence then has this man all these things?
among whom were Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
And those with him hearing of it, went out to take him; for they said, He is beside himself.
Then came his brothers and his mother, and standing without, sent to him to call him.
Is not this the carpenter? the son of Mary? and a brother of James, and Joset, and Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended with him.
And the women also saw from afar, among whom were Mary the Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the less, and of Joset, and Salome,
and she bore her first-born son, and wrapped him in bandages, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the khan.
Matthew and Thomas, James, the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zealot,
Then his brothers said to him, Go down from here, and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do; for no one does any thing in secret, and seeks himself to be in public. If you do these things, show yourself to the world. read more. For his brothers did not believe on him.
And there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and the sister of his mother, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary the Magdalene.
And when they came, they went up into the upper room where staid Peter and John, and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the [brother] of James. All these continued with one accord in prayer, with the women, and with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
All these continued with one accord in prayer, with the women, and with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.