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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Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
And if you greet only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
While he was still talking to the people, behold, his mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." read more. But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"
among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
Then his brothers and his mother came. And standing outside they sent to him, and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you." read more. And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And he looked at those who sat in a circle around him, and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip, and Bartholomew, Matthew, and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, read more. Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples may see the works you are doing.
By the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
All these with one mind devoted themselves to prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; you shall listen to everything he tells you.
But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
And the disciples determined, each according to his ability, to send relief for the brethren living in Judea.
And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these also are descended from 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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Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
but did not know her until she had borne a son. And he called his name Jesus.
But I say to you that anyone who is angry with his brother shall be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be answerable to the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something 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 greet only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
While he was still talking to the people, behold, his mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
While he was still talking to the people, behold, his mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
Then his brothers and his mother came. And standing outside they sent to him, and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you."
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the other evil things Herod had done,
So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples may see the works you are doing.
All these with one mind devoted themselves to prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; you shall listen to everything he tells you.
Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty.
But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
And the disciples determined, each according to his ability, to send relief for the brethren living in Judea.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
For both he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, "I will declare your name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."
Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these also are descended from 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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but did not know her until she had borne a son. And he called his name Jesus.
but did not know her until she had borne a son. And he called his name Jesus.
And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"
And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee; and there they will see me."
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee; and there they will see me."
There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome,
There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome,
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing, beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing, beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
For even his brothers did not believe in him.
For even his brothers did not believe in him.
By the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
By the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!"
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!"
Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
All these with one mind devoted themselves to prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
All these with one mind devoted themselves to prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
All these with one mind devoted themselves to prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
All these with one mind devoted themselves to prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year they met with the church and taught great numbers of people; and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year they met with the church and taught great numbers of people; and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
And the disciples determined, each according to his ability, to send relief for the brethren living in Judea.
And the disciples determined, each according to his ability, to send relief for the brethren living in Judea.
And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time you think to persuade me to become a Christian!"
And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time you think to persuade me to become a Christian!"
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is an immoral person, or greedy, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindlernot even to eat with such a one.
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is an immoral person, or greedy, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindlernot even to eat with such a one.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
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 this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. And he called them,
Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.
Matthew, and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
By the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.