James was not “brother” to Jesus in the same familial sense as we know today, but
Even today the word “brother” can have a broader meaning in a number of languages, including English.Ancients Talked Funny.
True
The Greek word for brother, adelphos, can mean anything from cousin to step-brother to close friend, or even co-religionist. An example of this is seen in Acts 1:14-15, where the text says that Jesus’s brothers were praying, and that they numbered, along with Mary and the Apostles, 120! Are we to believe that Jesus had 108 brothers? No!
MARY COUSIN OF MARY I MEANT! :blushing:James was not “brother” to Jesus in the same familial sense as we know today, but
James was family to Jesus. James is the son of Clopas, husband of Mary, sister of
Mary the Mother of Jesus. We’re talking cousins here. Delete].
He wasn’t a blood brother through Mary if that’s what you’re asking. One of the ways we can know this (besides the fact that the Church infallibly teaches it.) is in the list of the apostles given in the Gospels, there are two James’ named, and both of their father’s are named as well. One is named Alphaeus, and the other is Zebedee. Neither is the son of Joseph, who was Mary’s husband. So he can’t be a blood brother in the immediate sense.
But we do know he’s not a brother through Mary and he also seems to have some sort of physical relationship to Christ that Paul felt was necessary to single out.There are only two James who were apostles of Jesus. James the son of Zebedee, the brother of John. This James is also called James the Greater to distinguish him from the other James, son of Alpheus and also called James the Lesser.
The only reason I think James is more likely a cousin is because there is a “James” named as the son of Mary the wife of Clopas.*There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Mag’dalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salo’me. (Mark 15:40)
The two James of the apostles are James the son of Zebedee and James son of Alpheous. Some commentaries state that *“Alphaeus and Clopas are the same person, since the Aramaic name for Alphaeus could be rendered in Greek either as Alphaeus or as Clopas. Another possibility is that Alphaeus took a Greek name similar to his Jewish name, the way that Saul took the name Paul.” *The only reason I think James is more likely a cousin is because there is a “James” named as the son of Mary the wife of Clopas.*There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Mag’dalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salo’me. (Mark 15:40)
Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph [Joses] and Simon and Judas? (Matt. 13:55)
But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag’dalene. (John 19:25)*If James is the son of Mary the wife of Clopas, then Joseph would not have been widowed from a previous marriage because Mary the wife of Clopas was still alive!
Now, it is possible Joseph was widowed and did have children who were known as Jesus’ brothers, but I don’t think this particular James was one of them.
Some protestants believe the brothers were indeed half-brothers (the belief of Mary having other children with Joseph after having Jesus), James being one of them. Another likely explanation of Jesus connecting Mary and John can be found when we review scripture and see that some of Jesus’ family actually thought He was wrong in claiming to be Messiah, even to the point of being crazy; therefore, Jesus would connect her to a believer, not a non-believer.
This is also the explanation I like.