The Siblings of Jesus

For centuries there was a great debate about Jesus having siblings. The interpretations of the Bible between two different faith of Christianity divide the notion of this subject. Catholics firmly believed that Mary was ever-virgin, thus it was impossible for her to have another child other than Jesus. Aside from that, they held 'traditions' or the teaching of the church as far more important and has infallible authority than the Scriptures. Protestants and other denominations, on the other hand, believed that Jesus indeed has brothers as it was written. They believed that the Scripture, as the Word of God, is the sole and 'final authority' of Christian faith. So what was the truth behind each claim?

In the 4 Gospels and Acts there were verses that tell us that Jesus indeed has brothers:

The Bible says:
While He yet talked to the people, behold, His mother and His brothers stood without, desiring to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, Behold, your mother and your brothers stand without, desiring to speak with you.
-Matthew 12:46-47

After this He went down to Capernaum, He, and His mother, and His brothers, and His disciples: and they continued there not many days.
-John 2:12

His brothers therefore said to Him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that your disciples also may see the works that you do. For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world. For neither did His brothers believe in Him.
-John 7:3-5

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
-Acts 1:14

With all these verses we clearly see that Jesus has brothers. During His early ministry, His brothers did not believe on Him but later joined with the saints of the first church(Acts 2:46-47) which was in Jerusalem.

The Brothers


If Jesus has brothers, who are they then? Well the Scripture revealed to us the names of 4 of His siblings.

The Bible says:
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him.
-Mark 6:3

Is not this the carpenter's son? is not His mother called Mary? and His brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
-Matthew 13:55

Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
-Matthew 27:56

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
-Mark 15:40

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
-Mark 16:1

His brothers were James the Less, Simon, Jude or Judas and Joses. Aside from having brothers, Jesus also have sisters but the exact number were never mentioned in the Scriptures. James was later became church's elder of Jerusalem. The book of James was attributed to him whom Paul mentioned once in his epistle to the Galatians as the brother of Jesus.

The Bible says:
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
-Galatians 1:19