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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Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother hath aught against thee,
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye that excelleth? Do not even the heathen the same?
And why dost thou look at the mote that is in thy brothers eye, and not perceive the beam in thine own eye?
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, lo! his mother and his brothers were standing without, seeking to speak with him. And one said to him, Behold, thy mother and thy brothers are standing without, seeking to speak with thee. read more. But he answered and said to him that told him, Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? And stretching forth his hand toward his disciples, be said, Behold, my mother and my brothers! For whoever doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Is not this the carpenters son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
Is not this the carpenters son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
among whom was Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
And his mother and his brothers came; and, standing without, sent to him, to call him. And a multitude was sitting about him; and they say to him, Lo! thy mother and thy brothers and thy sisters are without, seeking for thee. read more. And he answering saith to them, Who is my mother, and my brothers? And looking round on those who sat about him, he saith, Behold my mother and my brothers. Whoever shall do the will of God, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, and Matthew and Thomas, and James the Son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the zealot, read more. and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
His brothers therefore said to him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see thy works which thou art doing.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary the Magdalene.
These all continued with one accord in prayer, with women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Moses indeed said, "A prophet will the Lord your God raise up to you from among your brethren, as be raised up me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatever he shall speak to you.
But the brethren obtaining knowledge of it, brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
And according as any one of the disciples was prospered, they determined every one of them to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea;
And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the office of the priesthood have a command to take tithes of the people by the Law, that is, of their brethren, though they have 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 he knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name Jesus.
But I say to you, that whoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the Judges; and whoever shall say to his brother, Simpleton! shall be in danger of the Council; and whoever shall say, Fool! shall be in danger of hellfire. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother hath aught against thee, read more. leave there thy gift before the altar, and go away; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye that excelleth? Do not even the heathen the same?
Hypocrite! first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then wilt thou see clearly to take the mote out of thy brothers eye.
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, lo! his mother and his brothers were standing without, seeking to speak with him.
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, lo! his mother and his brothers were standing without, seeking to speak with him.
For whoever doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
And the king will answer and say to them, Truly do I say to you, Inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it to me.
And his mother and his brothers came; and, standing without, sent to him, to call him. And a multitude was sitting about him; and they say to him, Lo! thy mother and thy brothers and thy sisters are without, seeking for thee.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him on account of Herodias the wife of his brother, and on account of all the evil deeds which Herod had done,
His brothers therefore said to him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see thy works which thou art doing.
These all continued with one accord in prayer, with women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Moses indeed said, "A prophet will the Lord your God raise up to you from among your brethren, as be raised up me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatever he shall speak to you.
Therefore, brethren, look out among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this business;
But the brethren obtaining knowledge of it, brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
And according as any one of the disciples was prospered, they determined every one of them to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea;
but no other of the apostles did I see, save James the brother of the Lord.
but no other of the apostles did I see, save James the brother of the Lord.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy the brother,
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy the brother,
For both he that sanctifieth 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 congregation will I sing praise to thee."
Whence it was right for him to be in all respects made like to his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful highpriest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the office of the priesthood have a command to take tithes of the people by the Law, that is, of their brethren, though they have 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 he knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name Jesus.
and he knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name Jesus.
And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
And the king will answer and say to them, Truly do I say to you, Inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it to me.
And the king will answer and say to them, Truly do I say to you, Inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it to me.
among whom was Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
among whom was Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Then Jesus saith to them, Be not afraid; go, tell my brethren to depart into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
Then Jesus saith to them, Be not afraid; go, tell my brethren to depart into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
There were also women looking on from a distance; among whom was Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
There were also women looking on from a distance; among whom was Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
But he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
But he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? Jesus answering said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers; who after stripping him of his raiment, and wounding him, departed, leaving him half dead.
Jesus answering said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers; who after stripping him of his raiment, and wounding him, departed, leaving him half dead.
For even his brothers did not believe in him.
For even his brothers did not believe in him.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary the Magdalene.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary the Magdalene. Jesus therefore, when he saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Jesus therefore, when he saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.
Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.
These all continued with one accord in prayer, with women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
These all continued with one accord in prayer, with women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
These all continued with one accord in prayer, with women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
These all continued with one accord in prayer, with women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that for a whole year they came together in the church, and taught a great multitude; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that for a whole year they came together in the church, and taught a great multitude; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
And according as any one of the disciples was prospered, they determined every one of them to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea;
And according as any one of the disciples was prospered, they determined every one of them to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea;
Then Agrippa said to Paul, With little effort thou thinkest to persuade me to become a Christian.
Then Agrippa said to Paul, With little effort thou thinkest to persuade me to become a Christian.
But this is what I wrote you, not to keep company with any one called a brother, if he be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one not even to eat.
But this is what I wrote you, not to keep company with any one called a brother, if he be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one not even to eat.
but no other of the apostles did I see, save James the brother of the Lord.
but no other of the apostles did I see, save 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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But when Herod the king heard of these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
And going on from thence, 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 not this the carpenters son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
Is not this the carpenters son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
And having agreed with the laborers for a denary a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
among whom was Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judah, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they took offence at him.
and Matthew and Thomas, and James the Son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the zealot, and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary the Magdalene.