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 begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brothers;
If, therefore, you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you,
And, if ye salute your brethren only, what more than others do ye? Do not even the gentiles the same?
"And why do you behold the mote that is in your brother's eye, but consider not the beam in your own eye?
While He was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and His brothers were standing without, seeking to speak to Him. [And one said to Him, "Behold, Thy mother and Thy brothers are standing without, seeking to speak to Thee."] read more. But He, answering, said to him that told Him, "Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?" And stretching forth His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whosoever does the will of My Father Who is in Heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother."
Is not This the carpenter's Son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
Is not This the carpenter's 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 were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
And His mother and His brothers come; and, standing without, they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting about Him; and they say to Him, "Behold, Thy mother and Thy brothers without are seeking for Thee." read more. And, answering them, He saith, "Who is My mother, and My brothers?" And looking around on those who sat about Him, He saith, "Behold, My mother, and My brothers! For whosoever does the will of God, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother."
Simon whom He also called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon who is called Zelotes, read more. and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a betrayer;
His brethren, therefore, said to Him, "Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that Thy disciples also may behold Thy works that Thou doest;
But there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
These all were continuing with one accord in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Moses, indeed, said, 'A prophet will the Lord your God raise up for you from among your brethren, as He did me; to Him shall ye hearken in all things, whatsoever He shall say to you.
but the brethren, learning it, brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
And the disciples, according as any one of them was being prospered, determined, each of them, to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judaea;
And those, indeed, from among the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, (though having 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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Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brothers;
and he knew her not, until she brought forth a Son, and he called His name Jesus.
But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever says to his brother Raca shall be in danger of the high-council; and whosoever shall say, O foolish one! shall be in danger of the Hell of fire. If, therefore, you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you, read more. leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way, first be reconciled to your brother, and then, coming, offer your gift.
And, if ye salute your brethren only, what more than others do ye? Do not even the gentiles the same?
Hypocrite! Cast out first the beam out of your own eye; and then you will see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye.
While He was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and His brothers were standing without, seeking to speak to Him.
While He was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and His brothers were standing without, seeking to speak to Him.
For whosoever does the will of My Father Who is in Heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother."
"And, answering, the King will say to them, 'Verily I say to you, inasmuch as ye did it to one of My brethren, even the least, ye did it to Me.'
And His mother and His brothers come; and, standing without, they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting about Him; and they say to Him, "Behold, Thy mother and Thy brothers without are seeking for Thee."
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar??ontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
but Herod, the tetrarch, being reproved by him concerning Herodias, the wife of his brother, and concerning all the evils which Herod did,
His brethren, therefore, said to Him, "Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that Thy disciples also may behold Thy works that Thou doest;
These all were continuing with one accord in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Moses, indeed, said, 'A prophet will the Lord your God raise up for you from among your brethren, as He did me; to Him shall ye hearken in all things, whatsoever He shall say to you.
but look ye out, brethren, from among yourselves, seven well-attested men, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this business;
but the brethren, learning it, brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
And the disciples, according as any one of them was being prospered, determined, each of them, to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judaea;
But other of the apostles I saw not, except James, the brother of the Lord.
But other of the apostles I saw not, except James, the brother of the Lord.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy, the brother,
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy, the brother,
For both He Who sanctifieth and those 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 an assembly will I sing praise to Thee."
Wherefore, it behooved Him in all things to be made like His brethren, that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people;
And those, indeed, from among the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, (though having 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, until she brought forth a Son, and he called His name Jesus.
and he knew her not, until she 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, answering, the King will say to them, 'Verily I say to you, inasmuch as ye did it to one of My brethren, even the least, ye did it to Me.'
"And, answering, the King will say to them, 'Verily I say to you, inasmuch as ye did it to one of My brethren, even the least, ye did it to Me.'
among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Then Jesus saith to them, "Fear not, go your way, announce to My brethren that they go away into Galilee, and there shall they see Me."
Then Jesus saith to them, "Fear not, go your way, announce to My brethren that they go away into Galilee, and there shall they see Me."
And there were also women, beholding from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome;
And there were also women, beholding from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and 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?" And Jesus, answering, said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers; who, both stripping him and inflicting blows, went away, leaving him half dead.
And Jesus, answering, said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers; who, both stripping him and inflicting blows, went away, leaving him half dead.
For even His brethren did not believe on Him.
For even His brethren did not believe on Him.
But there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
But there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus, therefore, seeing His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, saith to His mother, "Woman, behold your Son!"
Jesus, therefore, seeing His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, saith to His mother, "Woman, behold your Son!"
Jesus saith 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 saith 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."
These all were continuing with one accord in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
These all were continuing with one accord in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
These all were continuing with one accord in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
These all were continuing with one accord in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
and, having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass that, even for a whole year, they met together in the assembly, and taught a great multitude; and that the disciples got the name "Christian" first in Antioch.
and, having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass that, even for a whole year, they met together in the assembly, and taught a great multitude; and that the disciples got the name "Christian" first in Antioch.
And the disciples, according as any one of them was being prospered, determined, each of them, to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judaea;
And the disciples, according as any one of them was being prospered, determined, each of them, to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judaea;
And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a small degree you are persuading me to make a Christian!"
And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a small degree you are persuading me to make a Christian!"
but, as it is, I wrote not to keep company, if anyone, called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner??ith such a one, not even to eat.
but, as it is, I wrote not to keep company, if anyone, called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner??ith such a one, not even to eat.
But other of the apostles I saw not, except James, the brother of the Lord.
But other of the apostles I saw not, except 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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And the king Herod, hearing it, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
And, having gone on thence, He saw other two brothers: James a 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 carpenter's Son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
Is not This the carpenter's 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 were 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, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not His sisters here with us?" And they were finding occasion of stumbling in Him.
and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon who is called Zelotes, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a betrayer;
But there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.