Cousins/ siblings

[WillP]

I understand the question of whether Christ had biological brothers arises as a result of the non existence of a word for fraternal brothers in the Greek. Is that so? I do not speak Greek, but, I know it to be a sophisticated language and a language of classical literature. I must therefore think that Greek is a language which has (and has had for eons) a word which differentiates biological siblings from more generic kins folk.

Or, is the problem thought to arise from the non existence of such a word in the Arameric spoken by the apostles? But, as the NT is written in Greek (not in the original Arameric) then what evidence is there that the Greek translators got it wrong? One would think that the Greek scribe would have gotten the sense of the relationship correctly when he inscripted it in the original Greek particularly as the writings are said to be inspired and influenced by a guiding spirit.

What is the explanation and what evidence supports the explanation?

 

[farpinho]

I think that might be helpful

catholic.com/documents/bad-aramaic-made-easy

 

[aragonjohn1]

I think that might be helpful

catholic.com/documents/bad-aramaic-made-easy

this ^

 

[farpinho]

Some more interesting information:

earlychristianwritings.com/text/hegesippus.html

 

[HelenRose]

It may be helpful to understand the family customs of that age. I posted this on another thread about the cousins of Jesus.

Where were Mary’s other sons when Jesus was on the cross? No self-respecting Jew at that time would have allowed his mother to stand alone before her son’s execution. He would have either been by her side, or would not have permitted her to be there.

Mothers were subject to their sons. Jesus was the eldest but the next eldest would have the right to protect his mother from this horrible scene. She would not have been there if there were other sons to protect her.

If she had other sons why did Jesus place her under the protection of John? She would have been under the protection of her sons.

P.S. Jesus knew what was going to happen to him. He would have sent her to his brothers and or sisters and they would have taken her into their homes.

 

[farpinho]

It may be helpful to understand the family customs of that age. I posted this on another thread about the cousins of Jesus.

Where were Mary’s other sons when Jesus was on the cross? No self-respecting Jew at that time would have allowed his mother to stand alone before her son’s execution. He would have either been by her side, or would not have permitted her to be there.

Mothers were subject to their sons. Jesus was the eldest but the next eldest would have the right to protect his mother from this horrible scene. She would not have been there if there were other sons to protect her.

If she had other sons why did Jesus place her under the protection of John? She would have been under the protection of her sons.

P.S. Jesus knew what was going to happen to him. He would have sent her to his brothers and or sisters and they would have taken her into their homes.

Excellent point!

 

[robwar]

It may be helpful to understand the family customs of that age. I posted this on another thread about the cousins of Jesus.

Where were Mary’s other sons when Jesus was on the cross? No self-respecting Jew at that time would have allowed his mother to stand alone before her son’s execution. He would have either been by her side, or would not have permitted her to be there.

Mothers were subject to their sons. Jesus was the eldest but the next eldest would have the right to protect his mother from this horrible scene. She would not have been there if there were other sons to protect her.

If she had other sons why did Jesus place her under the protection of John? She would have been under the protection of her sons.

P.S. Jesus knew what was going to happen to him. He would have sent her to his brothers and or sisters and they would have taken her into their homes.

Also, Jesus would not have had St. John take Mary in his home if there were half sibs around. It was these actions at the foot of the cross that convinced me finally to come to accept the Catholic teaching on Mary and her ever virgin status.

 

[dean24us]

I think that might be helpful

catholic.com/documents/bad-aramaic-made-easy

EXCELLENT article on the subject – it almost makes me want to learn Aramaic myself.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

One might also note the wedding at Cana:

1* On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples.

John 2:1-2 Jesus was invited with His disciples, but no Joseph or brothers or sisters. Presumably, Joseph had died earlier. It appears that there was no more family.