Who Is Jesus Brother

Who Were Jesus’ Brothers?

Those of us who have siblings are well aware of the toll they may have on our ability to remain calm under pressure. I recall thinking as a youngster that I would have sinned significantly less if I had not been given siblings. I was probably right. Of course, knowing me, I would’ve sinned regardless, but I had a strong belief in this idea for many years before I realized it. Our first thoughts aren’t often about Jesus’ brothers and sisters; they’re more typically on Jesus himself. As a result, we tend to think of Jesus as an only child throughout his early years, in a stable and a manger, which makes it easy to overlook that Mary and Joseph had numerous children after Jesus arrives.

This would indicate that they may have had a number of children before Joseph died, if not enough to fill an entire homeschool passenger van.

Are there any of them that we get the chance to meet in the Bible?

Did Jesus Have a Twin?

In a nutshell, no. After the birth of Jesus, the Bible makes it plain that Joseph and Mary did not have sexual relations until after the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:25). Despite this, the belief that Jesus has a twin brother continues to pervade churches today. The notion that Jesus had a twin called “Didymus Judas Thomas” is completely absurd, especially in light of the fact that Joseph and Mary did not engage in sexual intercourse until after the birth of Jesus. Jesus, on the other hand, did not grow up in a family without siblings and sisters.

Let’s have a look at some of the names of Jesus’ brothers and sisters that appear in the Bible.

Jesus’ Brother and Sister Names

In the Bible, we don’t have any names that are similar to ours. Women’s names are rarely mentioned in the Bible, unless they had major parts in the story, such as the judge Deborah or Mary the mother of Jesus, who were both mentioned. Consider some of the scriptures that refer to Jesus’ brothers and sisters. While Jesus was still speaking to the multitude, his mother and brothers remained outside the door, waiting for an opportunity to speak with him. Matthew 12:46 As a result of the verses below, we know that Jesus had sisters.

  1. “How did he obtain all of these things?” you might wonder.
  2. What is now happening to some of these brothers will be discussed in detail later.
  3. The number of children he has is not specified in the Gospels.
  4. Joseph was most likely deceased, and she need Jesus to serve as the home’s head of household.

Regardless of one’s objections, Scripture refers to these individuals as Jesus’ siblings, and for the sake of this essay, we will refer to them as half-siblings.

What Happened to Jesus’ Brothers and Sisters?

Although Mary initially supports Jesus’ work, when difficult circumstances arise, she urges him to step back and return home to care for his family, according to the Matthew 12verse. In the New Testament, we don’t learn anything about what happened to Jesus’ family until much later in the book of Matthew. The New Testament story is dominated by two of Jesus’ brothers, James and Jude, and we know that they play a significant role in it. As we have seen, James and Jude must have had some reservations about Jesus at initially since they arrive with Mary in order to stop Jesus from continuing his teachings.

  • Following his conversion, James becomes the pastor of a church in Jerusalem, and he later goes on to write the Book of James.
  • A stone or a fall from the Temple tower is used to bring him to his death.
  • The Book of Jude, as you would have guessed.
  • Beyond the fact that Jude converted after Jesus returned to the Father’s presence in heaven, we don’t know much about his life.
  • As far as the rest of Jesus’ siblings are concerned, we know that many of them have converted and gone on to perform missionary travels themselves (1 Corinthians 9:5).

3 Lessons from Jesus’ Brothers

Even though Mary initially supports Jesus’ missionary efforts, she eventually tells him to step aside and return home to care for his family, according to the Gospel of Matthew. In the New Testament, we don’t learn anything about what happened to Jesus’ family until much later in the book. The New Testament story is dominated by two of Jesus’ brothers, James and Jude, and we know that they play a larger role in it. We know that James and Jude must have had reservations about Jesus at first since they arrive with Mary in order to persuade him to stop teaching.

  • When James becomes a Christian, he goes on to establish a church in Jerusalem, and he is also the author of the Book of James.
  • A stone or a fall from the Temple tower is used to bring him to a stop.
  • Book of Jude, as you may have guessed.
  • We don’t know much about Jude’s life other from the fact that he converted after Jesus went back into heaven.

As far as the rest of Jesus’ siblings are concerned, we know that many of them have converted and gone on to fulfill missionary missions themselves (1 Corinthians 9:5). Whether or not they all opted to have a saving connection with him is unknown, but we may assume that they did.

Did Jesus have any brothers, sisters or siblings?

Throughout history, there has been great debate about the precise nature of their link to Jesus and his apostles. Consequently, the issue remains: Did Jesus have siblings? There have been three main points of view put forward: They have been identified as (1) Jesus’ actual siblings/brothers, that is, half-brothers, sons of Joseph and Mary (and therefore younger than Jesus); (2) His stepbrothers, that is, children of Joseph by a previous marriage (and thus all older than Jesus and not His blood relatives at all); (3) Jesus’ cousins, either on the mother’s side or on the father’s side, depending on who you believe.

Where exactly was Jesus’ birthplace?

Three views about Jesus’ siblings

Some adhere to the first viewpoint, arguing that it is the most natural way to interpret the multiple allusions to these brothers, as well as the most evident intention of Matthew 1:25 and Luke 2:7. Second, those who believe in family ethics claim that younger siblings should not be permitted to mock or otherwise interfere with an older brother in the same way that Jesus’ brothers ridiculed Him (see Mark 3:31; John 7:3-4). Moreover, they argue, Jesus’ decision to entrust His mother’s care to the apostle John (John 19:26-27), rather than to one of His brothers, clearly shows that Mary did not have any other children.

Their relationship as cousins on Mary’s side is predicated on the unconfirmed identification of “Mary, the wife of Cleophus” with Mary’s sister (John 19:25; Mark 15:40), as well as the unsubstantiated relationship between “Clopas” and Alphaeus (John 19:25; Mark 15:40).

Jesus’ brothers, sistersmother

Several of Jesus’ siblings are reported as joining him and his mother to Capernaum following their marriage at Cana (Matthew 19:9). (John 2:12). The next year, Mary and these brothers are mentioned as attempting to have an audience with Jesus (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21). A few chapters before the conclusion of Jesus’ public career, His brethren are recorded as asking Jesus to demonstrate His Messiahship, which they themselves had questioned (John 7:3-5). Their conversion is obvious from the fact that they are portrayed in Acts as joining with the disciples and others in “prayer and supplication” before to the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–3).

Paul makes the implication that they were all married (1 Corinthians 9:5).

Also widely held to be the case is that James the brother of Jesus was the spiritual leader of the early church in Jerusalem (see Acts 12:17; 15:13).

What Happened to Jesus’ ‘Brothers’?

Sign up for Christianity Today and you’ll gain instant access to back issues of Christian History! A number of “brothers and sisters” are referenced in the Gospels, but only James and Jude are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament—James as the leader of the early church in Jerusalem, and Jude in the brief epistle that bears his name. See “Mary” for a potential meaning of “brothers and sisters.” According to the Gospel of John, Jesus’ family was first doubtful of his mission: “Even his brothers did not believe in him,” the Gospel reads.

At the Jerusalem Council, James, the eldest of Jesus’ brothers, made the decision that Gentile Christians did not have to follow traditional Jewish rules.

Some believe he led an austere lifestyle, and it has been stated that he spent so much time in prayer that his knees “were like those of a camel.” According to Jewish historian Josephus, James was stoned to death by Jewish religious authorities.

It is unknown if this James or someone else was the author of the epistle that bears his name.

Following the publication of his letter of caution about impostors who had entered the church, it is possible that Jude himself rose to the position of recognized church leader, and possibly even a traveling missionary who witnessed such difficulties directly.

The other disciples

Following the Gospels, the disciples are only briefly mentioned in the New Testament. We have only legends to go on for more specifics, some of which are questionable. Andrew, Peter’s brother, is said to have preached in Asia Minor, Thrace, and Greece before being crucified on an X-shaped cross, according to a tenth-century story. He was recognized as the founder of the church in Constantinople, and he may have had a connection to the development of written language. Congratulations, you have reached the conclusion of this Article Preview.

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Who Was James, Jesus’ Brother?

Jesus was born into a large family. Jesus’ brothers are named in Matthew 13:55-56: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, as well as sisters (plural), indicating that He had at least six siblings in all. When Jesus’ brothers are stated, James is usually placed first, which in Jesus’ day most likely implied that he was the oldest of the four brothers. James, also known as Old Camel Knees and James the Just, was the leader of the church in Jerusalem until his brutal murder in AD 62. Photograph courtesy of Getty Images/Anyaberkut

What Does the Bible Say about James?

Jesus’ brothers make fun of Him in John 7:1-4. “Because even his own brothers did not trust in him,” says verse 5, explaining the situation. This is at the conclusion of Jesus’ public career, perhaps around six months before his death on the cross. The miracles of Jesus include healing a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years (John 5:2-9), feeding 5,000 men with a boy’s lunch (John 6:5-14), and walking on water (John 6:15). (John 6:16-21). Although he has witnessed miracles for more than two years, James remains skeptical.

Humbled Witness

James is expressly mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:7 as one of the people to whom Jesus appeared after His Resurrection. James thinks that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who has come to redeem people from their sins after witnessing his dead brother walking and talking to him. He does not announce himself as Jesus’ brother or as the leader of the church when he subsequently writes the Epistle of James, but rather as “James, the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,” as he does in the book of Acts (James 1:1).

James is one of the 120 people who are filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, which marks the beginning of the Church (Acts 2:1-4).

Photograph courtesy of Unsplash/Ben White

James Was a Wise Leader

When Paul travels to Jerusalem less than 10 years later, he meets with two church elders: Peter and James, the brother of Jesus, who are both apostles. Galatians 1:18-19 narrates this occurrence in detail, and Paul refers to James as an apostle, one of a limited group of people who had experienced the risen Christ and whose teaching had authority. James is one of the apostles who witnessed the rising Christ and whose teaching had authority. When Paul comes to Jerusalem 14 years later to settle the question of which Jewish rules apply to Gentile Christians, James is still the leader of the church in Jerusalem.

  1. An acrimonious and intricate conflict threatens to split the young Church in half.
  2. He gives people the freedom to express themselves completely, including all of their worries and disagreements.
  3. The majority of orators of the time flatteried their audiences with flowery compliments, weaved in anecdotes and cultural allusions, and finally came around to hinting to whatever it was that they were trying to get over to their audience.
  4. God is rescuing both Jews and Gentiles, according to Peter, and he affirms that statement.
  5. James then makes his final decision, which is a compromise.
  6. There is no longer any discussion.
  7. The apostle Paul refers to James as a pillar of the church and a man of high renown in Galatians 2:10, when narrating the tale of the Jerusalem Council in that city.

Additionally, he recalls that when James and the other elders gave their approval for his Gentile mission, the only thing they requested was that he keep the poor’s needs in mind. Photograph courtesy of Getty Images/chaiyapruek2520

Jesus’ Brother Was a Radical Advocate

When Paul travels to Jerusalem a little more than 10 years later, he meets with two church elders: Peter and James, Jesus’ brother. Galatians 1:18-19 narrates this occurrence in detail, and Paul refers to James as an apostle, one of a small group of people who had experienced the risen Christ and whose teaching had authority. James is one of the apostles who witnessed the rising Christ and whose teaching held authority. When Paul travels to Jerusalem 14 years later to settle the question of whether Jewish rules apply to Gentile Christians, James is still the head of the church in Jerusalem, according to the New Testament.

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An acrimonious and intricate disagreement threatens to split the young Church in half.

Their thoughts, worries, and disagreements are allowed to be completely expressed by him.

The majority of orators of the time flatteried their audiences with flowery compliments, weaved in anecdotes and cultural allusions, and ultimately got around to hinting to whatever it was that they were trying to get through to their listeners It is basic, concise, and to the point that James delivers his statement in Acts 15:13-21.

  1. He quotes Amos 9:11-12 to demonstrate that the rescue of the Gentiles is not in opposition with, but rather a fulfillment of, what the Bible teaches about salvation.
  2. Instead of being burdened by Jewish regulations, Gentile Christians are to refrain from four practices that are likely to make fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers difficult.
  3. His authority and knowledge are recognized, and his decision-making is fair and helpful to both the parties and the community.
  4. When James and the other elders approved of his mission to the Gentiles, the only thing they requested was that he keep the poor in mind, which he does throughout his writings.

Pastoral Peacemaker

In the first verses of the Epistle of James, just as he did at the Jerusalem Council, James skips over the long-winded greetings and blessings and gets right to the heart of the matter. The fact that you are facing challenges of various types should be considered pure delight, dear brothers and sisters.” (See James 1:2.) When a pastor exhorts his congregation to trust God regardless of their circumstances, to be faithful and pure, and to humbly submit to God, the heart of the pastor can be heard beating in his words.

In this letter to individuals who are “scattered throughout the nations,” James provides solace to those who are suffering by pointing them toward the everlasting perspective of the Bible.

For James, unity in the church is a top priority, as evidenced by his repeated exhortations to Christians to refrain from judging one another (James 2:12-13, 4:11-12), control their tongues and tempers (James 1:19-20, 3:2-12), and put aside the envy and selfish ambition that cause disorder, conflict, and quarrels (James 3:12-12).

  1. At the time of James’s last historical appearance in the Bible, he is rejoicing over the Gentiles who have become members of God’s family and instructing Paul on how to mend divisions within the Church.
  2. James saw that Paul was not advocating that Jews should abandon their Jewish identity when they place their faith in Jesus.
  3. This confusion and division can be resolved by James suggesting that Paul demonstrate that he still considers himself Jewish and adheres to the Law of Moses by participating in a purification ritual and paying for four other men to do the same, as suggested by James (Acts 21:17-26).
  4. His example of leadership exemplifies James 3:17-18 in action.

A harvest of righteousness will be reaped by peacemakers who sow the seeds of peace.” Photograph courtesy of Getty Images/kovop58

How Did Jesus’ Brother James Die?

As he did at the Jerusalem Council, James skips over the lengthy greetings and blessings and gets right to the point in the first lines of the Epistle of James. The fact that you are experiencing hardships of various types should be considered pure delight, dear brothers and sisters.” (James 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:16) When a pastor exhorts his congregation to trust God despite of their circumstances, to be faithful and pure, and to humbly submit to God, the heart of the pastor can be heard beating in his words as he speaks.

In this letter to those who are “scattered throughout the countries,” James provides comfort to those who are suffering by pointing them toward the everlasting perspective of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

James emphasizes the importance of unity in the church, admonishing Christians to refrain from judging one another (James 2:12-13, 4:11-12), control their tongues and tempers (James 1:19-20, 3:2-12), and put aside the envy and selfish ambition that cause disorder, conflict, and quarrels (James 3:12-12).

  1. With this, James is happy that Gentiles have been accepted into God’s family and counseling Paul on how to reconcile divisions within the Church, which is the final historical reference of him in the Bible.
  2. The apostle Paul was not preaching that Jews should abandon their Jewish identity when they place their faith in Jesus, according to James.
  3. This uncertainty and divide can be resolved by James suggesting that Paul demonstrate that he still considers himself Jewish and adheres to the Law of Moses by engaging in a purification ceremony and paying for four other men to participate in the same (Acts 21:17-26).
  4. In his leadership, James 3:17-18 is seen in action.
  5. A harvest of righteousness will be reaped by peacemakers who plant in peace.” Source: Getty Images/kovop58 for the photograph.

Was James One of the 12 Disciples?

The vast majority of Biblical scholars agree that James the brother of Jesus should not be confused with James, the brother of John and the son of Zebedee, who is the son of Zebedee. According to Acts 12:2, James was assassinated just prior to the Jerusalem Council, which was chaired by James the brother of Jesus. It has been suggested that James the brother of Jesus and James the son of Alphaeus, a follower of Jesus’, may be the same person. These academics propose that James is a relative or stepbrother of Jesus in order to explain the discrepancy in their fathers’ surnames.

Although it is plausible, it is improbable given the fact that Jesus’ brothers did not think He was the Messiah. Their ridicule of Jesus in John 7:1-4 was the result of their disbelief, and it came after a series of events in which the 12 disciples were involved.

The Legacy of James

The life of James demonstrates the significance of the Resurrection. A skeptical skeptic is transformed into a loyal disciple after witnessing the resurrection of the crucified Jesus on the cross. His leadership of the Church in Jerusalem is an example of just, uniting, and steady servant leadership, and he should be commended for it. The purpose of the Church is shaped by the teachings of the Book of James, which include unity, fidelity in prayer and testimony, purity, endurance in the face of adversity, and compassionate care for one another and the poor.

  • Photograph courtesy of Getty Images /rudall30 Jeannie Myers is a freelance writer who lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she enjoys the beauty of nature.
  • Reading, camping, singing, and playing board games with her children are some of Jeannie’s favorite pastimes.
  • Jeannie Myers is a freelance writer who lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she enjoys the beauty of nature.
  • Reading, camping, singing, and playing board games with her children are some of Jeannie’s favorite pastimes.

Did Jesus have brothers and sisters (siblings)?

QuestionAnswer More than a few verses in the Bible make reference to Jesus’ brothers. A visit by Jesus’ mother and brothers is recorded in three different Bible passages: Matthew 12:46, Luke 8:19, and Mark 3:31. The Bible teaches us that Jesus had four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, according to the book of Matthew (Matthew 13:55). Although the Bible says that Jesus had sisters, they are neither named or counted in the book of Matthew (Matthew 13:56). In John 7:1-10, Jesus’ brothers accompany him to the feast, while he remains at home.

  1. James, according to Galatians 1:19, was Jesus’ younger brother.
  2. Some Roman Catholics believe that these “brothers” were actually Jesus’ cousins, rather than his siblings.
  3. While the word can apply to other relatives as well, its conventional and literal meaning is a physical brother in the traditional sense.
  4. If they were Jesus’ cousins, why were they so frequently represented as being with Mary, Jesus’ mother, if they were Jesus’ cousins?
  5. It is also possible, according to a second Roman Catholic theory, that Jesus’ brothers and sisters were the offspring of Joseph from a prior relationship.
  6. There is a difficulty with this because the Bible makes no mention of Joseph being previously married or having children before he married Mary.
  7. No scriptural basis exists to assume that these siblings are anything other than the biological children of Joseph and Mary, as is commonly believed.
  8. “And he named Him Jesus,” the Bible says (Matthew 1:25).

In God’s Word, there is a clear and unequivocal teaching on the subject of marriage. Questions regarding Jesus Christ (return to top of page) Is it possible that Jesus had brothers and sisters (siblings)?

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Did Jesus Really Have Half-Siblings?

Jesus had at least four brothers, according to Matthew 13:55: James, Joseph (sometimes referred to as Joses), Simon, and Judas. James was the oldest of the brothers (also referred to as Jude). Matthew 13:56 indicates that he had at least two sisters, which is consistent with the plural form of the word “sister.” Despite the fact that the Greek term for “brothers” and “sisters” does not necessitate that someone be a blood related, it is most likely that these six persons are the offspring of Joseph and Mary and half-siblings of Jesus, according to tradition.

Why Is This Question So Controversial Among Christians?

Mary’s eternal virginity is at the heart of this debate, which has raged for more than two centuries. It is possible that Mary is eternally a virgin, in which case Jesus would have no biological relations. This offers the potential of Jesus having half-brothers and sisters if Mary remained a virgin until the birth of Jesus, but then began having sexual intercourse with her husband Joseph afterward. Because of Jesus’ virgin birth, Joseph was not his biological father, therefore they would act on his behalf as step-siblings.

  1. In the first place, it is important to note that Jesus’ siblings were offspring of Mary and Joseph after Jesus was born (referred to as the Helvidian view).
  2. Third, they were first cousins of Jesus, which was a great honor (the traditional Roman Catholic view).
  3. It is true that the Greek terms for “brothers” and “sisters” can be difficult to distinguish from one another, but there existed a word for “cousin” in the Bible.
  4. It is interesting to note that they are never referred to as Jesus’ cousins throughout the New Testament or the first two centuries of Christian history, which is surprising.

Why Are There Objections to Jesus Having Half-Brothers?

The dogma of Mary’s permanent virginity is the primary source of opposition to Jesus having half-siblings in the first place. From the early church through the Reformation, this idea was embraced by a large number of people. It is Matthew 1:25 that is important since it says, “but (Joseph) did not have sexual contact with her until she gave birth to a son.” “And he gave him the name Jesus” (CSB). In this case, the term “until” is at the core of the debate. This term signifies the conclusion of a span of time in a chronological sense.

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Matthew 2:15 states that they remained in Egypt “until Herod’s death” (CSB), which is the identical term that is used in Matthew 1:25 and Matthew 2:13 as well.

The New Testament states that Mary remained a virgin until the birth of Jesus, but it makes no mention of whether or not she continued to be a virgin beyond this time.

Early Christian writings such as the Gospel of Peter (which was not actually written by Peter), the Protoevangelium of James (which was not actually written by any James in the New Testament), and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas (which was not actually written by the Apostle Thomas), all of which date from the second century, appear to support this point of view.

There isn’t enough information to make a definitive determination on whether or not these youngsters are Mary’s biological offspring.

In the passage cited above, Matthew 1:25, it appears to indicate that Mary only remained a virgin until the birth of Jesus.

The way this line is written establishes a stronger connection between Mary and Jesus’ half-brothers than it does with Joseph.

In fact, Joseph (Mary’s husband) isn’t even mentioned by name in the text. As a result, these are most likely Mary’s offspring, as well as Jesus’ half-brothers and half-sisters.

What Do We Know about the Half-Siblings?

James was the most well-known of Jesus’ half-brothers and sisters. James the son of Zebedee, the brother of John, is not to be confused with the person named James here (seeMatthew 4:21). According to Acts 12:2, James the son of Zebedee was killed at a young age in the history of Christianity. A number of times in the New Testament, Jesus’ half-brother James is mentioned by name. Besides the passage from Matthew 13:55, we know that Mary and Jesus’ brothers (most likely included James) went to Jesus when he was ministering to the people (Matthew 12:46;Mark 3:31;Luke 8:19-20).

  1. Because the terms “brothers” and “disciples” are distinct, it is most likely that these are the sons of Mary, half-brothers of Jesus, and most likely include James as well.
  2. Clearly, the term “brothers” does not apply to persons who are members of Jesus’ society but are connected biologically, as the passage above indicates.
  3. According to the evidence, James turned to Christianity sometime after the events of John 7 and before the events of Acts 12.
  4. In Galatians 1:19, the apostle Paul refers to James as Jesus’ brother.
  5. Most evangelical academics think that the Letter of James was written by Jesus’ half-brother, James (seeJames 1:1).
  6. There is less information available concerning Jesus’ other half-siblings.
  7. They are mentioned in 1Corinthians 9:5 in the context of traveling gospel ministers: “Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a believing woman, just as the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas did?” (CSB).

James’ brother, Jude, asserts himself to be the author of the book, who is most likely the half-brother of Jesus.

While several hypotheses for the identification of Jude have been advanced, none of them appear to be more plausible than the possibility that he is Jesus’ half-brother.

Even though they claimed to be farmers in the vicinity of Rome, the veracity of their narrative has been put into question.

The controversy over whether or not Jesus had half-siblings is inextricably linked to the dogma of Mary’s eternal virginity, which is discussed below.

Joseph and Mary had at least six children following the birth of Jesus, according to the most logical interpretation of the biblical narrative, including at least four males and at least two girls.

Photograph courtesy of Getty Images/MichaelTruelove.

Croteau (Ph.D., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Professor of New Testament at Columbia International University, as well as Associate Dean and Director of the Ph.D.

The following books are among his many publications: Urban Legends of the Old Testament (co-authored with Gary Yates, B H, 2019), Urban Legends of the New Testament (B H, 2015),Tithing After the Cross (Energion, 2013), and You Mean I Don’t Have to Tithe (Energion, 2013). (Pickwick, 2010).

The Brothers of Jesus: Loving the Unbelieving Relative

“The Brothers of Jesus: Loving the Unbelieving Relative,” a publication from the Society of Jesus. The Ensign, March 1987, page 50 For many of us, we have a father or mother, a husband or wife, a brother or sister, a son or daughter who does not believe in the faith that we hold so dear. However, despite the fact that many sympathetic and useful lectures have been delivered on how to best manage this issue, I have never heard one that sought to explore how the Savior dealt with it in his own family.

  • But even from the few instances that have been recorded, as well as from the end consequence of Jesus’ labors with his family, we may gain a great deal of insight.
  • The names of the sisters have not been recorded, but the brothers were known by the names James (in Hebrew, Jacob), Joses (in Hebrew, Joseph, after his father), Simon, and Judas or Juda (in Hebrew, Juda) (also known as Jude).
  • 13:55; see also Matthew 13:55).
  • Although there is no biblical proof for this, it is widely believed.
  • (SeeMatt.
  • Immediately following the wedding at Cana (which, based on the roles played by Mary and Jesus at the feast, was almost certainly a close relative’s wedding), the entire family traveled with Jesus and his early followers to neighboring Capernaum, where they resided for a short period of time.
  • “Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee,” writes the gospel writer Luke, describing the Savior’s first missionary journey: “And there went out a reputation of him throughout all the surrounding region.
  • When he made his accusations, the crowd grew so enraged that they attempted to throw him from the cliff.
  • (See Luke 4:16–30 for further information.) In spite of their exposure to his words and acts, “neither his brethren believed in him,” according to the sad fact of the situation.
  • He screamed, “A prophet is not without respect in his own nation, and among his own kin, and in his own house,” despite the fact that he had established himself as a prophet and healer whose reputation had become well known across the area because of the Nazarenes’ sarcastic attitude.
  • On one occasion, his mother and brothers interrupted a gathering in which he was preaching the gospel, and we may have caught a glimpse of it.

“Then his mother and brothers came to him, but they were prevented from approaching him because of the press.” And he was informed by a source who stated, “Thy mother and brethren are waiting outside, yearning to meet thee.” And he responded by saying, “My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” (See also Luke 8:19–21.) Some people have interpreted Jesus’ remarks as being harsh.

Although his family did not fully comprehend it at the time, the Savior knew what they did not: that the bonds of faith and covenant are stronger than the bonds of blood, and that his role as eldest son in the family, which they respected, was insignificant when compared to his role as Savior and Redeemer.

Abinadi taught the following about the Christ who would come: “When his soul has been offered as a sacrifice for sin, he will behold his seed.” And now, what are your thoughts?

all those who have heeded their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a forgiveness of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed.” (See Mosiah 15:10–11 for more information.) At Calvary, the Savior’s sadness and anguish at the betrayal of his earthly brethren were portrayed in a far more profound way.

  1. She also had four more boys, but none of them appeared to be around to console her.
  2. Only his lover John was with her at the time.
  3. It is necessary to follow the lives of the Savior’s brothers after the Crucifixion before we can think about what we can gain from his or her experience.
  4. (See 1 Corinthians 15:5–7 for further information.) We do not have access to the specifics of that reunion, but we do have access to the results.
  5. Their repentance resulted in them becoming dedicated followers of Christ—their oldest brother being the most prominent—and eventually great leaders in the early Christian church.

Luke then offers the following telling observation: “These all remained in prayer and supplication with one accord, with the women, and with Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (Read Acts 1:13–14 for more information.) Having finally done so, the brothers of the Lord had taken upon themselves his name and had really become members of his family!

Indeed, Paul suggests that James was elevated to the position of Apostle.

“I went up to Jerusalem to meet Peter, and stayed with him for fifteen days,” he wrote of the event.

(See Galatians 1:18–19.) At another point in time, during a period of harsh persecution, Herod assassinated James the brother of John and imprisoned Peter in jail.

As soon as they finished recounting his escape, Peter commanded them to “go and shew these things unto James and to the brothers.” (See Acts 12:7–17 for further information.) A few years later, Paul and Barnabus traveled to Jerusalem to participate in a meeting that addressed Jewish criteria for gentile Christians.

(See Acts 15:6–31 for further information.) According to Paul, “James, Cephas, and John, who appeared to be pillars” were there at the time of the occurrence.

We hold James’ general epistle to the church in high regard, regardless of his precise position in the early church leadership.

(See James 1:5) In that epistle, he refers to himself not as the Lord’s brother, but as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,” as opposed to “the Lord’s brother.” (See also James 1:1.) In spite of the fact that others called him and his brothers Jude, Simon, and Joses the “brethren of the Lord,” James was reluctant to proclaim his particular kinship, preferring to be recognized simply as a servant of Christ.

  • Another of the four brothers begins his epistle with the words “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,” which is identical to the first.
  • One of Jude’s most outstanding traits is his acute awareness of his elder brother as both the past and future Lord—the Lord who took Israel out of Egypt and who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as the Lord who would return in the final days to execute vengeance on everyone.
  • The apostle Jude fought alongside Peter and Paul against the increasing flood of heresy that threatened to bring the church to its knees during his own lifetime.
  • What immense delight there must have been in heaven, and especially for the Savior, when these four brothers, each of whom repented, were welcomed into the kingdom of God.
  • A family has never before faced the difficult task of accepting the fact that a close relative has turned out to be the Saviour of the world.
  • Moreover, just as Jesus of Nazareth loved sincerely and well, every disciple may love with hope and patience, just as Jesus did.
  • Above all, we must never, ever give up on ourselves.

As it may be for our Jameses and Judes, our Sauls and Almas, and all of their female counterparts, the same may be true for us. In a personal and intimate way, Jesus himself suffered in order to be able to succor those who are also in need of assistance. (See Heb. 2:18 and Alma 7:12 for examples.)

The Apostles, Part 12: James, Brother of Jesus

As we have progressed through this study, we have spent the majority of our time looking at the life and teachings of an individual who never encountered Jesus during His earthly ministry: the apostle Paul. Toward the end of the last part, we got to the conclusion of his life, which was most likely his execution in Nero’s Rome. However, the tale of the apostles does not come to a close there. The Acts of the Apostles, written by Paul’s traveling companion Luke, has served as our primary source throughout this course.

  • In spite of this, Luke refers to them as a “renewing group of 12” after Matthias takes the place of Judas (verse 26).
  • Several women (including Jesus’ mother, Mary), as well as His brothers, were also present in the early days of the Church (Acts 1:14).
  • They are also well-known for the literature that they have produced.
  • In this section, we will look at James’ biography and literary output.
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Which James?

The apostle James, the son of Zebedee and one of the original 12 apostles, was assassinated by King Herod Agrippa in the early days of the Church, about 44 C.E., as some readers may recall (see Acts 12:1–2). This means that the James mentioned in verse 17 of the same chapter must be a different James from the one mentioned in the previous verse, when Luke recalls that Peter sent word of his release from jail to someone called James. Despite the fact that up to seven other persons with the same name have been identified in the New Testament, James the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19) is the most plausible candidate in this particular instance.

  • It’s possible to speculate that this same James appears later in Acts as the leader of the church in Jerusalem, which would lead us to believe that he is the author of the New Testament book of the same name.
  • The Jewish religious authorities, according to the first-century Jewish writer Josephus, executed “the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James” by stoning him to death (Antiquities of the Jews20.200).
  • Was this James, on the other hand, also an apostle?
  • When writing about one of his travels to Jerusalem, Paul, who also became an apostle but was not one of the Twelve, appears to allude to James’s apostolic role, which is consistent with James’s own.

Scholars, on the other hand, have noted that this is not a categorical assertion. “Apart from the apostles, I didn’t see anybody else but James, the Lord’s brother,” according to an alternative version.

James the Unbeliever

Is there anything else we can learn about James and his early life from his accounts in the Gospels? According to the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, he was one of numerous children born to Mary and Joseph following the birth of Jesus. “Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, and the brother of Judas and Simon?” “Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses, and the brother of Judas and Simon?” “And aren’t his sisters here with us?” I inquire.

  1. There was a period when James and the rest of the family were vocal in their opposition to Jesus’ work and message.
  2. According to John, “not even his brothers believed in him at the time” (John 7:5).
  3. However, despite the fact that he was Jesus’ brother, he did not fill the gap created by Judas’ death since the remaining 11 were to pick “one of the men who followed the Lord Jesus during all of the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among” the people (Acts 1:21).
  4. He had another encounter with James while he was bringing hunger aid to Jerusalem from the churches outside of Judea at the time (Acts 21:18).
  5. He said that after James’ death, the Church picked another of Jesus’ blood relations, His cousin Simon or Simeon, to be its head, meaning that James had been in charge up until that time.
  6. 153–217 C.E.
  7. According to Jerome, who was writing in the fifth century, James “controlled the church of Jerusalem for thirty years,” which corresponds to the seventh year of Nero’s reign (Lives of Illustrious Men, chapter 2).

James’s Tour de Force

The short book of James is a moral, theological, and literary masterpiece that deserves to be read and studied. The focus on living according to “the complete code,” “the law of liberty,” and “the royal law” (James 1:25, 2:8), while some have argued that it is at conflict with the teachings of Paul, placed it squarely within the same Judaic heritage. An in-depth investigation of its fundamental notions exposes the complimentary nature of each man’s way of seeing things. James begins by emphasizing his allegiance to “God and.

  • James, who was raised in a Jewish family, was well-versed in the history of ancient Israel, particularly its roots with the 12 sons of Jacob.
  • As noted in Acts 2:9–11, 1 Peter 1:1, and John 7:35, James was writing to Church members who were descended from these tribes who lived in what was then known as the Diaspora—what are now known as the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern areas.
  • As a result, he places difficult circumstances in the framework of his spiritual development and growth.
  • Double-mindedness accomplishes nothing; instead, peaceful faith in God’s guidance and assistance is the key (verses 5–8, emphasis added).
  • According to verses 9–11, the affluent would finally fade away like the grass of the field.
  • James warns against falling into the trap of blaming God for the hardships we bring on ourselves by surrendering to sin (verses 13–15), and he gives specific examples of how to avoid doing so.
  • Fortunately, He differs from flawed and variable humans in that He is “the Father of lights,” with whom there is no variation or shadow caused by change.

He is the one who has decreed that His people be given truth in this life, before others, in order for them to become “a sort of firstfruits of his creations” (verses 17–18), and that they will become “a type of firstfruits of his creatures.” James places a strong focus on the practice of good living from the beginning of the epistle.

  1. On the one hand, he contrasts natural human methods of acting—we are slow to hear, fast to talk, and quick to become angry—with God’s ways of behaving.
  2. It is the Word of God that directs us in the correct direction.
  3. Otherwise, it’s like gazing in the mirror and recognizing what’s wrong with ourselves, but doing nothing to correct what we see (verses 23–24).
  4. “If anybody believes he or she is religious but does not restrain his or her mouth but deceives his or her heart, that person’s religion is useless,” he or she declares.

Throughout the letter, the idea of acting on one’s convictions will resurface. “Anyone who thinks himself religious but does not maintain a tight check on his speech is deceiving himself and his religion is useless,” the Prophet Muhammad said.

Practical Outcomes

Generally speaking, the law of God encompasses all elements of human life, and James provides various illustrations of how believing should result in transformed, law-abiding behavior. As a starting point, he says in James 2:1–9 that praising one person above another based on one’s money or social standing has no place in the heavenly value system. Indeed, he claims, it is too frequently the rich that abuse and disadvantage the less fortunate and that this should be avoided. They may even make derogatory remarks about Jesus’ name.

  1. Two people, one well-dressed and rich, and the other in shabby clothing and poverty.
  2. It would be a disgrace and a humiliation to the less fortunate.
  3. And violating the law is considered sinful.
  4. For example, according to James, by refraining to commit adultery but, on the other hand, committing murder, we are guilty of breaching the entire commandment (James 2:10–11), he claims.
  5. We must adhere to all of it, understanding that God will judge us according to its principles, which, if followed in spirit, would liberate us from the punishment of sin: everlasting death; and we must do so with the understanding that God will judge us according to its principles (verse 12).
  6. He provides a second illustration of the demand for faith to be manifested in action by bringing attention to the plight of those members of the believing community who are suffering from a lack of resources.
  7. Faith must be demonstrated via deeds.

James demonstrates via the example of Abraham that the patriarch’s faith was followed by deeds, and as a result, he came to be recognized as “the friend of God” (verse 23).

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but does not demonstrate it by his actions?

The absence of deeds in the form of faith renders it ineffective.” James shifts to a longer discussion of the necessity to bridle or control one’s tongue in chapter three, which is a subject he has touched on previously.

His first point is that teaching is a dangerous profession because people who practice it are held accountable for their words, and it is simple to say things incorrectly (James 3:1–2).

Furthermore, everything we say will be used to judge us all in some way.

We control a ship with a rudder and lead a horse by putting a bit in its mouth, respectively.

However, because the tongue is so little in proportion to the rest of the body, it is extremely difficult to control.

The tongue has been compared as a fire that has the potential to set the entire world ablaze.

People have conquered or controlled all other species, but the tongue is particularly difficult to manage; like a snake, “it is a restless evil, full of deadly venom” (Aristotle) (verse 8).

This is totally incorrect.

” Despite its tiny size, the tongue is capable of incredible feats of dexterity.

How do people manage to keep their tongues under control?

James demonstrates that it is only through a personal relationship with God that we may gain knowledge and fight the nearly overpowering desire to abuse our words.

This helps to keep “earthly, unspiritualdemonic” conduct at bay (verse 15).

James’s audience, on the other hand, is riven with disagreements and turmoil.

His response is that they originate inside the human heart, which is dissatisfied by not obtaining what it wants—even if it desires something that it should not have.

This strategy has no chance of giving about pleasure in the long run.

If they follow the ways of the world to obtain their goals, they can only be considered enemies of God, the spiritual equal of adulterers in their relationship with Him (verse 4).

One of the issues they have is that they are always disparaging and criticising one another.

Following that, James provides a caution about chasing materialistic desires as though nothing could possibly go wrong with them.

The very essence of life is fleeting.

Knowing the appropriate method to do something but failing to put it into action is sin, according to him.

In a similar vein, affluent individuals are admonished to set their priorities correctly.

Otherwise, no advantage will accrue from any material possessions.

When living in such a world, the followers of James’ elder brother are expected to exercise patience until His return.

No time is wasted on little whining and moaning about one another, something humans are so prone to doing in their everyday lives.

If they want to see an example of persistence amid tough circumstances, James advises them to go no farther than Job, who knows that God is loving and merciful (verses 9–11).

Their commitment should be straightforward and true, as demonstrated by open and honest communication: “Let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no, so that you do not come under censure” (verse 12).

Closing Thoughts

The epistle of James concludes with the same focus on practical displays of faith: If there are any among the believers who are suffering, they should pray to God about it, according to James. There are people who are content and they should give thanks to God for their happiness. Those who are sick should contact the Church’s leaders and seek for prayer and anointing so that God may cure them and restore them to health. When someone’s disease is caused by sin, they will be forgiven; prayer and the confession of sin are required for healing to take place.

James uses the example of Elijah (1 Kings 17; 18), who prayed that it would not rain in order to illustrate his point.

After a period of time had passed, he hoped that the rains would arrive, and indeed they did.

It is a discipline that brings about significant rewards.

As a result, James’s care for the community of believers in which he had been a part and which he had come to lead following Jesus’ death and resurrection is confirmed.

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