Did Jesus have siblings?

[SkeeterFranklin]

I am part of a Bible study that is a mix of Catholic and Protestant members. The problem is that even those who are Catholic are intimidated into accepting the Protestant interpretation of the Bible. Frequently, I am the only one defending Catholic teaching. My question is: How do I respond to the argument that often come up about Jesus having siblings? My usual response is that they are Jesus’ cousins or people from his home community. Are there any other answers?
Thank you very much.

 

[Devon_Caffran]

The following links should assist you in better understanding Mary’s perpetual virginity. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.
**Recommended Reading:
**

• Doesn’t Scripture imply that Mary had children other than Jesus?
• ** Did Jesus have brothers?**
• ** Perpetual Virginity: Why is this important?**
• ** Mary: Ever Virgin**
• ** Why should any doctrine not explicitly referred to in the Bible, be listened to?**
• ** How do you respond to “Everything you need to know is in the Bible”?**
• ** How can we know a doctrine is true if it’s not in the Bible?**
• ** How do we know that the Protoevangelium of James is credible?**
• ** Does Church Tradition exist only to interpret Scripture?**
• ** Non-Canonical Writings…**
• ** Oral Traditions not found in the Bible**
• Immaculate Conception and Assumption