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, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
So if you remember, even when offering your gift at the altar, that your brother has any grievance against you,
and if you only salute your friends, what is special about that? do not the very pagans do as much?
Why do you note the splinter in your brother's eye and fail to see the plank in your own eye?
He was still speaking to the crowds when his mother and brothers came and stood outside; they wanted to speak to him. ??- read more. But he replied to the man who told him this, "Who is my mother? and who are my brothers?" Stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, that is my brother and sister and mother."
Is this not the son of the joiner? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
Is this not the son of the joiner? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? Are not his sisters settled here among us? Then where has he got all this?"
including Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedaeus.
Then came his brothers and his mother, and standing outside they sent to call him; there was a crowd sitting round him, and he was told, "Here are your mother and brothers and sisters wanting you outside." read more. He replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And glancing at those who were sitting round him in a circle he said, "There are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God, that is my brother and sister and mother."
Simon (to whom he gave the name of Peter), Andrew his brother, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon (who was called 'the Zealot'), read more. Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot (who turned traitor).
so his brothers said to him, "Leave this and go across into Judaea, to let your disciples witness what you can do;
Now beside the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
All these men resorted with one mind to prayer, together with the women, with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
for Moses said, The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brotherhood, as he raised me: you must listen to whatever he may tell you.
So the disciples put aside money, as each of them was able to afford it, for a contribution to be sent to the brothers in Judaea.
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, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
but he did not live with her as a husband till she bore a son, whom he called Jesus.
whoever maligns his brother must come before the San hedrin, whoever curses his brother must go to the fire of Gehenna.' But I tell you, whoever is angry with his brother [without cause] will be sentenced by God. So if you remember, even when offering your gift at the altar, that your brother has any grievance against you, read more. leave your gift at the very altar and go away; first be reconciled to your brother, then come back and offer your gift.
and if you only salute your friends, what is special about that? do not the very pagans do as much?
You hypocrite! take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see properly how to take the splinter out of your brother's eye.
He was still speaking to the crowds when his mother and brothers came and stood outside; they wanted to speak to him.
He was still speaking to the crowds when his mother and brothers came and stood outside; they wanted to speak to him.
Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, that is my brother and sister and mother."
The King will answer them, 'I tell you truly, in so far as you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even to the least of them, you did it to me.'
Then came his brothers and his mother, and standing outside they sent to call him; there was a crowd sitting round him, and he was told, "Here are your mother and brothers and sisters wanting you outside."
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, Philip his brother tetrarch of the country of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysias tetrarch of Abilene,
But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias his brother's wife as well as for all the wickedness that he, Herod, had committed,
so his brothers said to him, "Leave this and go across into Judaea, to let your disciples witness what you can do;
All these men resorted with one mind to prayer, together with the women, with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
for Moses said, The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brotherhood, as he raised me: you must listen to whatever he may tell you.
Brothers, look out seven of your own number, men of good reputation who are full of the Spirit and of wisdom. We will appoint them to this duty,
So the disciples put aside money, as each of them was able to afford it, for a contribution to be sent to the brothers in Judaea.
I saw no other apostle, only James the brother of the Lord.
I saw no other apostle, only James the brother of the Lord.
For sanctifier and sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, 'I will proclaim thy name to my brothers, in the midst of the church I will sing of thee,'
He had to resemble his brothers in every respect, in order to prove a merciful and faithful high priest in things divine, to expiate 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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but he did not live with her as a husband till she bore a son, whom he called Jesus.
but he did not live with her as a husband till she bore a son, whom he called Jesus.
The King will answer them, 'I tell you truly, in so far as you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even to the least of them, you did it to me.'
The King will answer them, 'I tell you truly, in so far as you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even to the least of them, you did it to me.'
including Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedaeus.
including Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedaeus.
then Jesus said to them, "Have no fear! Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee; they shall see me there."
then Jesus said to them, "Have no fear! Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee; they shall see me there."
There were some women also watching at a distance, among them Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome,
There were some women also watching at a distance, among them Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome,
Anxious to make an excuse for himself, however, he said to Jesus, "But who is my neighbour?"
Anxious to make an excuse for himself, however, he said to Jesus, "But who is my neighbour?" Jesus rejoined, "A man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho fell among robbers who stripped and belaboured him and then went off leaving him half-dead.
Jesus rejoined, "A man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho fell among robbers who stripped and belaboured him and then went off leaving him half-dead.
(for even his brothers did not believe in him).
(for even his brothers did not believe in him).
Now beside the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
Now beside the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. So when Jesus saw his mother and his favourite disciple standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, there is your son!"
So when Jesus saw his mother and his favourite disciple standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, there is your son!"
Jesus said, "Cease clinging to me. I have not ascended yet to the Father, but go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and yours, to my God and yours.'"
Jesus said, "Cease clinging to me. I have not ascended yet to the Father, but go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and yours, to my God and yours.'"
All these men resorted with one mind to prayer, together with the women, with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
All these men resorted with one mind to prayer, together with the women, with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
All these men resorted with one mind to prayer, together with the women, with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
All these men resorted with one mind to prayer, together with the women, with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
and on finding him he brought him to Antioch, where for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught considerable numbers. It was at Antioch too that the disciples were originally called "Christians."
and on finding him he brought him to Antioch, where for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught considerable numbers. It was at Antioch too that the disciples were originally called "Christians."
So the disciples put aside money, as each of them was able to afford it, for a contribution to be sent to the brothers in Judaea.
So the disciples put aside money, as each of them was able to afford it, for a contribution to be sent to the brothers in Judaea.
"At this rate," Agrippa remarked, "it won't be long before you believe you have made a Christian of me!"
"At this rate," Agrippa remarked, "it won't be long before you believe you have made a Christian of me!"
What I now write is that you are not to associate with any so-called brother who is immoral or lustful or idolatrous or given to abuse or drink or robbery. Associate with him! Do not even eat with him!
What I now write is that you are not to associate with any so-called brother who is immoral or lustful or idolatrous or given to abuse or drink or robbery. Associate with him! Do not even eat with him!
I saw no other apostle, only James the brother of the Lord.
I saw no other apostle, only 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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The news of this troubled king Herod and all Jerusalem as well;
Then going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedaeus and his brother John, mending their nets in the boat beside their father Zebedaeus. He called them,
Is this not the son of the joiner? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
Is this not the son of the joiner? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
and after agreeing with the labourers to pay them a shilling a day he sent them into his vineyard.
including Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedaeus.
Is this not the joiner, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not his sisters settled here among us?" So they were repelled by him.
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon (who was called 'the Zealot'), Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot (who turned traitor).
Now beside the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.