The Brothers of Jesus: What We Know About Them

The Bible is silent on the topic of Jesus’ brothers. However, there are many theories about who they were. In this blog post, we will explore the different possibilities and discuss what we know about them based on scripture and historical evidence.

The Gospel of Mark mentions Jesus’ brothers for the first time in Mark 6:3. This verse says, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?”

Who Were the Brothers of Jesus?

This verse has caused some confusion because it is not clear if Jesus had brothers or sisters. However, most scholars believe that this verse is referring to brothers. This is because the word “sisters” can also refer to close female friends or relatives.

So, based on this verse, we know that He had at least four brothers: James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. But who were these brothers?

There are two main theories about the identity of Jesus’ brothers. The first theory is that they were actual biological brothers. The second theory is that they were cousins or other close relatives.

Let’s explore each of these theories in more detail.

Theory #1: They Were Actual Biological Brothers

The proponents of this theory believe that James, Joses, Judas, and Simon were actual biological siblings of Jesus. They point to the fact that Mark calls them “brothers” in Mark.

They also argue that it would have been very unusual for Jesus to be the only child in a Jewish family. In those days, it was common for families to have multiple children. So, if Jesus was an only child, that would have been very unusual.

Theory #2: They Were Cousins or Other Close Relatives

The second theory is that the brothers of Jesus were actually cousins or other close relatives. This theory is based on the fact that the word “brother” can also refer to a close male relative.

So, when Mark says that Jesus had “brothers,” he could be referring to cousins or other close relatives. This would explain why the Bible never refers to them as actual brothers.

This theory is supported by the fact that Jesus’ mother, Mary, also had a sister named Elizabeth. This would mean that He and his “brothers” would actually be cousins of Elizabeth’s children, including John the Baptist.

So, what do we know about the brothers of Jesus? Unfortunately, we cannot say for certain who they were. However, based on the evidence, it is most likely that they were either actual biological brothers or cousins.

Do you have any theories about the identity of the brothers of Jesus? Let us know in the comments below!