NEW TESTAMENT CHARACTERS

JESUS’ BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Isn’t this the carpenter, Mary’s son, brother of James, Joses, Jude and Simon and are not his sisters here with us? Mark 6:3

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Jesus only visited Nazareth twice after He began His travels. The first time He went alone, preached in the Synagogue and was nearly lynched. The second time He took His disciples with Him and left with little achieved but with the comment that, “A prophet is not without honour except among his own people.” It was on this occasion that the people stated, by way of proof that He was no one special, that His brothers and sisters were there among them.

In John 7 we are told that His brothers did not believe in Him then. In Mark 3:21 they said He is mad.

By Acts 1:14 however, we find them wholeheartedly with the the early church, convinced apparently by the resurrection. They were the only unbelievers to whom Jesus appeared risen, so far as we know.

James later became a leader of the church in Jerusalem, presided over its council in Acts 15 and is reported to have been martyred in AD 61 - stoned on the orders of the High Priest. It is fairly certain the epistle of James was his - but he is careful not to mention his family relationship with Jesus. The same applies to Jude.

Matthew probably wrote his Gospel at the time when James and Jude were leading the church in Jerusalem and they were among his sources - especially of the story of Christ’s birth, which he tells from Joseph’s point of view.

James, Joses, Jude and Simon were all common names and must not be confused with disciples of the same names.

Without brothers and sisters, Jesus could not have had a normal childhood. However hard they tried, Mary and Joseph could not have ignored the fact that their only child was Messiah. The feeling of responsibility would have ruled their lifestyle. But in a large family, the sheer pressure of caring for them all would force them to have a normal lifestyle.

References - Christ’s brothers & sisters:
Matthew 12:46-50 & 13:55
Mark 3:21 3:31-35 & 6:3
Luke 8:19-21
John 7:1-10 (& possibly 20:21)
Acts 1:14 12:17 15:13 21:18
1 Corinthians 9:5