Reference: Brother
American
Signifies in Scripture the son of the same parent or parents, Mt 1:2; Lu 6:14; a cousin or near kinsman, Ge 13:8; 14:16; Joh 7:3; Ac 1:14; one of the same stock or country, Mt 5:47; Ac 3:22; Heb 7:5; a fellow-man, and equal, Mt 5:23; 7:3; one beloved, 2Sa 1:26; Christians, as sons of God, Ac 9:30; 11:29. In Mt 12:46-50; 13:55-56; Mr 3:31-35, the brothers of Christ are so mentioned, in connection with his mother and sisters, as almost to require us to believe they were children of Joseph and Mary, younger than Jesus. Yet this is not quite certain, as it may be that the James, Joses, and Judas in Mt 13:55, are the nephews of Christ alluded to in Mt 27:56; Lu 6:15-16; Joh 19:25; Cleophas and Alphaeus being probably the same.
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If, therefore, you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has any thing against you,
And if you salute your brethren only, in what do you excel? Do not even the publicans so?
And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but perceive not the beam that is in your own eye?
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak to him. And some one said to him: Behold, your mother and your brothers stand without, desiring to speak to you. read more. But he answered and said to him that told him: Who is my mother? and who are my brothers? And he stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said: Behold my mother and my brothers. For whoever will do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Is not this the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers, James and Joses and Simon and Judas?
Is not this the son of the carpenter? 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? Whence, then, has this man all these things?
Among these was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
His mother and his brothers came, therefore, and standing without, sent to him, and called him. And the multitude was sitting about him; and they said to him: Behold, your mother and your brothers are without, seeking you. read more. And he answered them and said: "Who is my mother, or my brothers? And he looked round about on those who were sitting near him, and said: Behold, my mother and my brothers; for whoever will do the will of God, is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphreus, and Simon who is called Zelotes, read more. Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was also the traitor.
Then his brothers said to him: Depart hence, and go into Judea, that your disciples may see your works which you do;
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.
All these, with one mind, continued in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
For Moses said to the fathers, A prophet like me shall the Lord your God raise up for you from among your brethren; him shall you hear in all things that he shall say to you.
And when the brethren learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him out to Tarsus.
And every one of the disciples determined, as he had the means, to send relief to the brethren that dwelt in Judea;
And those of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Easton
(1.) In the natural and common sense (Mt 1:2; Lu 3:1,19).
(2.) A near relation, a cousin (Ge 13:8; 14:16; Mt 12:46; Joh 7:3; Ac 1:14; Ga 1:19).
(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Mt 5:47; Ac 3:22; Heb 7:5).
(4.) A disciple or follower (Mt 25:40; Heb 2:11-12).
(5.) One of the same faith (Am 1:9; Ac 9:30; 11:29; 1Co 5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren.
(6.) A colleague in office (Ezr 3:2; 1Co 1:1; 2Co 1:1).
(7.) A fellow-man (Ge 9:5; 19:7; Mt 5:22-23,24; 7:5; Heb 2:17).
(8.) One beloved or closely united with another in affection (2Sa 1:26; Ac 6:3; 1Th 5:1). Brethren of Jesus (Mt 1:25; 12:46,50; Mr 3:31-32; Ga 1:19; 1Co 9:5, etc.) were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary. Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage, and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin's sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.
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and knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son. And he called his name Jesus.
But I say to you, Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be liable to the sentence of the judges. And whoever shall say to his brother, Worthless fellow, shall be liable to the sentence of the Sanhedrin. But who ever shall say, Impious wretch, shall be in danger of hell-fire. If, therefore, you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has any thing against you, read more. leave your gift there before the altar, and go, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
And if you salute your brethren only, in what do you excel? Do not even the publicans so?
Hypocrite! first pull the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to pull the splinter out of your brother's eye.
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak to him.
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak to him.
For whoever will do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
And the King will answer and say to them: Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.
His mother and his brothers came, therefore, and standing without, sent to him, and called him. And the multitude was sitting about him; and they said to him: Behold, your mother and your brothers are without, seeking you.
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,
But Herod the tetrarch having been reproved by him on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, and for all the wicked deeds which Herod did,
Then his brothers said to him: Depart hence, and go into Judea, that your disciples may see your works which you do;
All these, with one mind, continued in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
For Moses said to the fathers, A prophet like me shall the Lord your God raise up for you from among your brethren; him shall you hear in all things that he shall say to you.
Therefore, brethren, select from among yourselves seven men, of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business:
And when the brethren learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him out to Tarsus.
And every one of the disciples determined, as he had the means, to send relief to the brethren that dwelt in Judea;
but of the apostles I saw no other, but James the brother of the Lord.
but of the apostles I saw no other, but James the brother of the Lord.
I PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, I and Timothy my brother,
I PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, I and Timothy my brother,
For both he that sanctifies, and those who are sanctified, are all of one Father: for which reason, he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: I will declare thy name among my brethren; in the midst of the assembly, will I sing hymns to thee.
"Wherefore, it behooved him to be made like his brethren in all things, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, in order to make expiation for the sins of the people.
And those of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Fausets
Includes, besides sons of the same parents, cousins and near relatives, as a nephew (Ge 13:8; 14:16; De 25:5-6 margin). One of the same tribe (2Sa 19:12). Of the same or a kindred people (Ex 2:11; Nu 20:14). A friend (Job 6:15). A fellow man (Le 19:17). "A brother to (i.e. a fellow on a level with) the dragons" or "jackals" (Job 30:29). As the outer pagan world knew believers by the name "Christian," so they know one another by the name "brethren" (Ac 11:26; 26:28; 1Pe 4:16; compare Mt 25:40; Ac 11:29). The Jews distinguished a "brother" as an Israelite by birth, and a "neighbor" a proselyte, and allowed neither title to the Gentiles. But Christ applied "brother" to all Christians, and "neighbor" to all the world (1Co 5:11; Lu 10:29-30). The arguments for the "brethren" of Jesus (James, Joses, Simon, and Judas) mentioned in Mt 13:56 being literally His brothers, born of Joseph and Mary, are:
(1) their names are always connected with Mary, "His brethren" is the phrase found nine times in the Gospels, once in Acts (Ac 1:14);
(2) nothing is said to imply that the phrase is not to be taken literally. But:
(1) "My brethren" is found in the wide sense (Mt 28:10; Joh 20:17).
(2) If Joseph had been their father, they would have been some one time at least designated in the usual mode "sons of Joseph." The statement that. His "brethren did not believe in Him" (Joh 7:5) may refer to His near relations generally, excepting the two apostles James (who is expressly called "the Lord's brother," Ga 1:19) and Jude (Jg 1:1). In Ac 1:14 His "brethren," as distinct from the apostles, may refer to Simon and Joses and other near relatives. It is not likely there would be two pairs of brothers named alike, of such eminence; James and Jude. His brethren are, most probably, the writers of the epistles.
(3) It is expressly stated that Mary, wife of Cleophas and sister of the Virgin Mary (Joh 19:25), had sons, of whom James and Joses are named (Mt 27:56; Mr 15:40). How unlikely that two mothers of the same name, Mary the Virgin and her sister, should have sons also bearing the same names.
(4) If the Virgin had had sons of her own, Jesus would not have given her in charge to John (Joh 19:26), who was not a relative.
(5) It is a fitting thing that in Jesus the line of David should have its final consummation. The naming of Jesus' brethren with His virgin mother so often may be because Jesus and she took up their abode at the home of Mary, the Virgin's sister, after Joseph's death; for that he soon died appears from his name being never mentioned after Luke 2. Hence the cousins would grow up as brothers. The very difficulty implies the absence of collusion or mythical origin in the gospel narrative.
Firstborn son (Mt 1:25) does not imply that any sons were born of the Virgin afterwards, but that none were born before Him. Ex 13:2 defines "the firstborn" "whatsoever openeth the womb": whether other children followed or not. "Knew her not until" does not necessarily imply he even then knew her; compare Ge 28:15, "I will not leave thee until I have done," not meaning He would leave Jacob even then. The main truth asserted is the virginity of Mary up to Jesus' birth. What was afterward is not dearly revealed, being of less consequence to us.
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and knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son. And he called his name Jesus.
and knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son. And he called his name Jesus.
And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence, then, has this man all these things?
And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence, then, has this man all these things?
And the King will answer and say to them: Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.
And the King will answer and say to them: Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.
Among these was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Among these was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Then Jesus said to them: Fear not; go, tell my brethren to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
Then Jesus said to them: Fear not; go, tell my brethren to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
And there were, at a distance, women also, looking on; among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome;
And there were, at a distance, women also, looking on; among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome;
But, wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus: And who is my neighbor?
But, wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus: And who is my neighbor? And Jesus answered and said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among; robbers, who stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and went away, leaving him half dead.
And Jesus answered and said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among; robbers, who stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and went away, leaving him half dead.
For neither did his brothers believe on him.
For neither did his brothers believe on him.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. Then Jesus, seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing by, said to his mother: Woman, behold your son.
Then Jesus, seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing by, said to his mother: Woman, behold your son.
Jesus said to her: Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.
Jesus said to her: Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.
All these, with one mind, continued in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
All these, with one mind, continued in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
All these, with one mind, continued in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
All these, with one mind, continued in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that they met together in the church for a whole year, and taught a great multitude; and the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that they met together in the church for a whole year, and taught a great multitude; and the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
And every one of the disciples determined, as he had the means, to send relief to the brethren that dwelt in Judea;
And every one of the disciples determined, as he had the means, to send relief to the brethren that dwelt in Judea;
Then Agrippa said to Paul: You almost persuade me to be a Christian.
Then Agrippa said to Paul: You almost persuade me to be a Christian.
but now I write to you, not to associate with any one professing to be a brother, if he is lewd or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such a one not even to eat.
but now I write to you, not to associate with any one professing to be a brother, if he is lewd or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such a one not even to eat.
but of the apostles I saw no other, but James the brother of the Lord.
but of the apostles I saw no other, but James the brother of the Lord.
Hastings
Morish
Smith
Brother.
The Hebrew word is used in various senses in the Old Testament, as,
1. Any kinsman, and not a mere brother; e.g. nephew,
husband,
2. One of the same tribe.
3. Of the same people,
or even of a cognate people.
4. An ally.
5. Any friend,
6. One of the same office.
7. A fellow man.
8. Metaphorically of any similarity, as in
The word adelphos has a similar range of meanings in the New Testament.
Watsons
BROTHER. 1. A brother by the same mother, a uterine brother, Mt 4:21; 20:2. A brother, though not by the same mother, Mt 2:3. A near kinsman, a cousin, Mt 13:55; Mr 6:3. Observe, that in Mt 13:55, James, and Joses, and Judas, are called the ???????, brethren, of Christ, but were most probably only his cousins by his mother's side; for James and Joses were the sons of Mary, Mt 27:56; and James and Judas, the sons of Alpheus, Lu 6:15-16; which Alpheus is therefore probably the same with Cleopas, the husband of Mary, sister to our Lord's mother, Joh 19:25.
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When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And going on thence, he saw other two brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Is not this the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers, James and Joses and Simon and Judas?
Is not this the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers, James and Joses and Simon and Judas?
And when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Among these was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses and Judah and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they found in him cause for offense.
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphreus, and Simon who is called Zelotes, Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was also the traitor.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.