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 thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
And if ye embrace your brethren only, what do ye extraordinary? do not even the publicans so?
And why spiest thou out the mote which is in thy brother's eye, yet payest no attention to the beam which is in thine own eye?
And while he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak to him. And a person said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak to thee. read more. But he answered and said to him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And stretching out his hand towards his disciples, he said, Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? and his sisters, are they not all among us? whence then hath he all these things?
among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
Then came his brethren and his mother, and standing without sent unto him, calling aloud for him. And the multitude sat around him, and they said to him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without are asking for thee. read more. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother or my brethren? And looking about on those who were sitting in a circle round him, he saith, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, that person is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Simon, whom he also called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James son of Alpheus, and Simon called the Zealous, read more. Jude the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who also was the traitor.
Then said his disciples to him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see thy works which thou doest.
Now beside the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.
These all persevered unanimously in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like myself; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall speak to you.
Then the brethren, when they knew it brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
Then the disciples, as everyman had ability, determined every individual of them to send a sum to be distributed among the brethren who dwelt in Judea:
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 he knew her not, until she had brought forth her son, the first begotten, and he called his name Jesus.
but I say unto you, That every man who is angry with his brother without cause, shall be liable to the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be liable to the sanhedrim: but whosever shall say, Thou fool, shall be liable to be cast into hell fire. If therefore thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; read more. leave there thy gift before the altar, and go: first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
And if ye embrace your brethren only, what do ye extraordinary? do not even the publicans so?
Thou hypocrite, take first the beam out of thine own eye and then shalt thou see clearly to take off the mote from thy brother's eye.
And while he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak to him.
And while he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak to him.
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
And the king answering shall say to them, Verily I tell you, for as much as ye have done it to one of these my brethren, the very least of them, ye have done it unto me.
Then came his brethren and his mother, and standing without sent unto him, calling aloud for him. And the multitude sat around him, and they said to him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without are asking for thee.
NOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene:
Now Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him, on account of Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the other wicked actions which he had done,
Then said his disciples to him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see thy works which thou doest.
These all persevered unanimously in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like myself; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall speak to you.
Therefore, brethren, do ye look out for seven men from among yourselves, the best approved, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint to superintend this business.
Then the brethren, when they knew it brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
Then the disciples, as everyman had ability, determined every individual of them to send a sum to be distributed among the brethren who dwelt in Judea:
But I saw no other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
But I saw no other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
For both he that sanctifies, and they who are sanctified, are all of one. For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, "I will declare thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the church I will sing hymns to thee."
Wherefore he ought in all things to be made like to his brethren, in order to become a merciful and faithful high-priest in those things which relate to God, to make a propitiation for the sins of the people:
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 he knew her not, until she had brought forth her son, the first begotten, and he called his name Jesus.
and he knew her not, until she had brought forth her son, the first begotten, and he called his name Jesus.
and his sisters, are they not all among us? whence then hath he all these things?
and his sisters, are they not all among us? whence then hath he all these things?
And the king answering shall say to them, Verily I tell you, for as much as ye have done it to one of these my brethren, the very least of them, ye have done it unto me.
And the king answering shall say to them, Verily I tell you, for as much as ye have done it to one of these my brethren, the very least of them, ye have done it unto me.
among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
Then saith Jesus to them, Be not affrighted: go, tell my disciples that they go into Galilee, there shall they see me.
Then saith Jesus to them, Be not affrighted: go, tell my disciples that they go into Galilee, there shall they see me.
Now there were also women looking on at a distance; among whom also was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the small, and the mother of Joses, and Salome.
Now there were also women looking on at a distance; among whom also was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the small, and the mother of Joses, and Salome.
Then he, desirous to make himself appear a righteous person, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Then he, desirous to make himself appear a righteous person, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? Then Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who, when they had both stripped him, and covered him with wounds, got off, leaving him half dead.
Then Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who, when they had both stripped him, and covered him with wounds, got off, leaving him half dead.
For even his own brethren did not believe on him.
For even his own brethren did not believe on him.
Now beside the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Now beside the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus then beheld his mother, and the disciple whom he loved, standing by, he saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
When Jesus then beheld his mother, and the disciple whom he loved, standing by, he saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and tell them, I am ascending to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God.
Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and tell them, I am ascending to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God.
These all persevered unanimously in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
These all persevered unanimously in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
These all persevered unanimously in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
These all persevered unanimously in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that during a whole year they were jointly employed in that church, and taught a vast multitude, and they called for the first time in Antioch the disciples Christians.
and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that during a whole year they were jointly employed in that church, and taught a vast multitude, and they called for the first time in Antioch the disciples Christians.
Then the disciples, as everyman had ability, determined every individual of them to send a sum to be distributed among the brethren who dwelt in Judea:
Then the disciples, as everyman had ability, determined every individual of them to send a sum to be distributed among the brethren who dwelt in Judea:
Then Agrippa said to Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Then Agrippa said to Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
But now I have written unto you not to associate with him, if any man, professing to be a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such a one not even to eat.
But now I have written unto you not to associate with him, if any man, professing to be a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such a one not even to eat.
But I saw no other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
But I saw no other of the 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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Now when Herod the king heard this, he was much agitated, and all Jerusalem with him.
And going on from thence, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
And when he had agreed with the labourers at a denarius a day, he sent them into the vineyard.
among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
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 were offended at him.
Matthew and Thomas, James son of Alpheus, and Simon called the Zealous, Jude the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who also was the traitor.
Now beside the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.