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 brethren;
Therefore, if thou bring thine offering to the altar, and there remembrest that thy brother hath any complaint against thee;
and if ye embrace your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not the publicans so likewise?
And why dost thou look at the splinter in thy brother's eye, but takest no notice of the beam in thine own eye?
Now as He was yet discoursing to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, and desired to speak to Him: and somebody said to Him, "Here are thy mother and thy brethren standing without, desiring to speak to thee." read more. But in answer to him that told Him, He said, "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 doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is to me as my brother and sister and mother.
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? and his sisters, are they not all here among us? from whence then hath this man all these things?
among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
So his brethren and his mother came, and standing without sent to Him to call Him to them: and there was a multitude sitting about Him, and they said to Him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren are without inquiring for thee. read more. And He answered them, and said, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And looking round on those that sat about Him, He said, Behold my mother, and my brethren: for whosoever doth the will of God, he is to me as my brother, my sister, and mother.
(to wit, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, read more. and Judas Iscariot, who was the traitor:)
his brethren therefore said, Depart from hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples there also may see the works which thou performest.
Now there stood near the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.
These all persevered with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brethren.
For Moses said unto the fathers, the Lord your God will raise up a prophet unto you, of your brethren, like me, Him shall ye hear in all things whatever He shall say unto you;
but when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus.
And each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea.
And those indeed of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment according to the law to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brethren, though they came 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 brethren;
and he knew her not, till she brought forth her Son the first-born, and he called his name Jesus.
but I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be liable to the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be obnoxious to the council; but whosoever shall say, "Thou fool," shall be in danger of hell-fire. Therefore, if thou bring thine offering to the altar, and there remembrest that thy brother hath any complaint against thee; read more. leave thy gift there before the altar, and go and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
and if ye embrace your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not the publicans so likewise?
Thou hypocrite, first get the beam out of thine own eye; and then thou wilt see how to take the splinter out of thy brother's eye.
Now as He was yet discoursing to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, and desired to speak to Him:
Now as He was yet discoursing to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, and desired to speak to Him:
for whosoever doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is to me as my brother and sister and mother.
And the king replying will say unto them, Verily I declare unto you, inasmuch as ye did it to one of the lest of these my brethren, ye did it to me.
So his brethren and his mother came, and standing without sent to Him to call Him to them: and there was a multitude sitting about Him, and they said to Him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren are without inquiring for thee.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis,
But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the wicked things which Herod did,
his brethren therefore said, Depart from hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples there also may see the works which thou performest.
These all persevered with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brethren.
For Moses said unto the fathers, the Lord your God will raise up a prophet unto you, of your brethren, like me, Him shall ye hear in all things whatever He shall say unto you;
Wherefore, brethren, look out from among you seven men of good character, full of the holy Spirit, and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this matter:
but when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus.
And each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea.
But I saw no other of the apostles, except James the brother of our Lord.
But I saw no other of the apostles, except James the brother of our Lord.
Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God,
Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God,
since He that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one. For which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, "I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee."
Whence it behoved Him to be made in all things like unto his brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high-priest in the things concerning God, to make atonement for the sins of the people:
And those indeed of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment according to the law to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brethren, though they came 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 brought forth her Son the first-born, and he called his name Jesus.
and he knew her not, till she brought forth her Son the first-born, and he called his name Jesus.
and his sisters, are they not all here among us? from whence then hath this man all these things?
and his sisters, are they not all here among us? from whence then hath this man all these things?
And the king replying will say unto them, Verily I declare unto you, inasmuch as ye did it to one of the lest of these my brethren, ye did it to me.
And the king replying will say unto them, Verily I declare unto you, inasmuch as ye did it to one of the lest of these my brethren, ye did it to me.
among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
Then saith Jesus unto them, Be not afraid, go tell my brethren to repair into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
Then saith Jesus unto them, Be not afraid, go tell my brethren to repair into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
There were also women at a distance looking on: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
There were also women at a distance looking on: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
But he willing to justify himself said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
But he willing to justify himself said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? And Jesus replying said, There was a certain man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among thieves, who after they had stripped and beaten him, went away, leaving him half dead.
And Jesus replying said, There was a certain man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among thieves, who after they had stripped and beaten him, went away, leaving him half dead.
For neither did his brethren believe in Him.
For neither did his brethren believe in Him.
Now there stood near the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Now there stood near the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus therefore seeing his mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son:
Jesus therefore seeing his mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son:
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not now; for I am not yet ascended to my Father; but go directly to my brethren, and tell them, "I am to ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God."
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not now; for I am not yet ascended to my Father; but go directly to my brethren, and tell them, "I am to ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God."
These all persevered with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brethren.
These all persevered with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brethren.
These all persevered with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brethren.
These all persevered with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brethren.
And they assembled in the church a whole year, and taught much people: and the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
And they assembled in the church a whole year, and taught much people: and the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
And each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea.
And each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea.
I know that thou believest them. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou almost persuadest me to be a Christian.
I know that thou believest them. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou almost persuadest me to be a Christian.
But now I have written to you, not to associate with him, if any one, that is called a brother, be a whoremonger, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or rapacious; with such a one no not to eat.
But now I have written to you, not to associate with him, if any one, that is called a brother, be a whoremonger, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or rapacious; with such a one no not to eat.
But I saw no other of the apostles, except James the brother of our Lord.
But I saw no other of the apostles, except James the brother of our 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 when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him:
And going on from thence He saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets;
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
and agreeing with the men for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard:
among whom was Mary Magdalene, 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 Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here among us? and they were prejudiced against Him.
Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was the traitor:)
Now there stood near the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.