Jesus' brother.

[stormyweather]

I had a question about something I keep stumbling upon. A bit back I was reading a Christian book and it talked about James being the brother of Jesus, and not just brotherly like a priest, like related to him. Then a couple times after that I stumbled upon more talk about James being his brother.
Is it that James is his cousin or something? Is it a grammatical issue? I know Jesus has no siblings, but I was curious about this. If I am ever faced with this by a friend or person who thinks this, how can I refute this?

Thanks for all your help!
God Bless,
~Katie :knight1:

 

[StrawberryJam]

I had a question about something I keep stumbling upon. A bit back I was reading a Christian book and it talked about James being the brother of Jesus, and not just brotherly like a priest, like related to him. Then a couple times after that I stumbled upon more talk about James being his brother.
Is it that James is his cousin or something? Is it a grammatical issue? I know Jesus has no siblings, but I was curious about this. If I am ever faced with this by a friend or person who thinks this, how can I refute this?

Thanks for all your help!
God Bless,
~Katie :knight1:

Some if not most non catholic christians can and do believe that Jesus had a literal brother. As you may know, many do not accept that Mary was a Virgin all her life.

Catholic teaching on this is that Mary was a Virgin all her life.
I have seen commentaries where cousin is the term for James.

James is a very interesting figure in the bible. However, in order to help you with any argument you may have I need to see the specific argument in order to refute it.

 

[DevotedChild]

And I would like to add is that Joesph was a widow with children from his first marriage. So, it might be that James was a step brother but back in that time, they didn’t use the term “step” before any siblings or family, from what I have heard. I may be wrong.

 

[chris62]

And I would like to add is that Joesph was a widow with children from his first marriage.

First I have heard of that one.

 

[Usagi]

DevotedChild;8277402:

And I would like to add is that Joesph was a widow with children from his first marriage.

First I have heard of that one.

As I understand it, that tends to be the common “Eastern” theory on the “brothers of the Lord” – that they are Joseph’s children but not Mary’s. The common “Western” theory is that they are cousins or other relatives (possibly the sons of St. Mary of Cleophas, who was at the Cross, and her husband St. Cleophas) and called “brother” by custom.

Usagi

 

[StrawberryJam]

DevotedChild;8277402:

And I would like to add is that Joesph was a widow with children from his first marriage.

First I have heard of that one.

Well, it is not a strange idea. Joseph was much older than Mary. His bonds to marriage would no longer exist after the death of a spouse.

 

[JL2011]

chris62;8277422:

Well, it is not a strange idea. Joseph was much older than Mary. His bonds to marriage would no longer exist after the death of a spouse.

But then, where were all of Joseph’s children when he was in Bethlehem and in Egypt?

 

[StrawberryJam]

StrawberryJam;8277503:

But then, where were all of Joseph’s children when he was in Bethlehem and in Egypt?

Doing life. Taking care of their own.

Edit to add:

Use the quote function properly please. Also, the rolling eye icon is not appreciated.
You have not refuted anything being said and mocked. Stand up for your position or admit it needs correction.

 

[zz912]

Just look to Scripture for the answer! James was the son of Zebedee and another Mary.

Luk 5:10 “And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”

Mar 1:16-19 “Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.”

Mar 10:35-41 “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared. And when the ten heard [it], they began to be much displeased with James and John.”.

Mat 20:20-24 “Then came to him the** mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons**, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard [it], they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.”

Mat 27:56-58 “Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children. When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.”

Mar 15:40 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;

 

[roads152]

It seems not remote that Alphaeus, the father of James, was a relative of either Mary or Joseph. James, then, can be referred to as brother of Jesus for lack of an equivalent of the word cousin in the Hebrew or Aramaic of the time of Jesus.

 

[StrawberryJam]

And so many claim the bible is clear.

I take the painstaking route of getting as many versions and commentaries I can get. Reading it constantly.

Looking at what Jewish believers say.

Looking at so many things. Yet, there is someone here who read a book- not even calling it the bible that started this whole thread off.

Why do I waste my time like this when I could just be a catholic asking questions like this?

 

[adrift]

Doing life. Taking care of their own.

Edit to add:

Use the quote function properly please. Also, the rolling eye icon is not appreciated.
You have not refuted anything being said and mocked. Stand up for your position or admit it needs correction.

It is ironic that you ask that the quote funtion be used properly and in your own post it is not It happens to me all the time. I accidentaly erase that which is necessary to make the quote complete.
I would also point out to you that the rolling eye is his signature.
To the OP do a search of this site and you will get many threads on this subject.

 

[StrawberryJam]

It is ironic that you ask that the quote funtion be used properly and in your own post it is not It happens to me all the time. I accidentaly erase that which is necessary to make the quote complete.
I would also point out to you that the rolling eye is his signature.
To the OP do a search of this site and you will get many threads on this subject.

I see my post and agree that I was not using the quote function properly in this thread, and I do try not to do such a thing because it really does make it hard for viewers to know who is saying what.

The sig line has nothing I can see that is a rolling eye on any post but here on this thread in response to my comment. Can you link me to other posts or should I just browse the poster’s history?

 

[Evan]

chris62;8277422:

Well, it is not a strange idea. Joseph was much older than Mary. His bonds to marriage would no longer exist after the death of a spouse.

Where is the evidence the Joseph was any older than Mary?

That he was old came from the theory that he may have had a previous marriage or that he died prior the Jesus ministry and that he did not die as a young man.

 

[stormyweather]

And so many claim the bible is clear.

I take the painstaking route of getting as many versions and commentaries I can get. Reading it constantly.

Looking at what Jewish believers say.

Looking at so many things. Yet, there is someone here who read a book- not even calling it the bible that started this whole thread off.

Why do I waste my time like this when I could just be a catholic asking questions like this?

Woah, it was a simple question. You did not even need to reply, period.
I have indeed read the Bible. I AM Catholic, I have been my entire life. Is it wrong of me to ask more questions to get a better understanding of this Faith of mine? Is it wrong of me to be curious about a rumor I know is not the truth yet don’t know why it is not? Is it wrong of me to want to try and find a way to refute an argument that may someday come up that believes this?
I don’t think so. But then again, I’m not catholic and I’m just reading a “book.”

Do please understand I was NOT talking about the Holy Bible when I said a Christian book. I was talking about a Christian FICTION book I rented at our Library called “The Centurion’s Wife.”
Perhaps I should have said this in the beginning to clarify, that is my fault.

If you would look at all my other threads I have asked very simple questions. I’m sorry if there may be other threads on this same topic. I am a new member and do not fully understand this site’s functions. The replies I got were kind enough and gave me the answers needed. Not once did I feel rather hurt like this.

Also, the rolling eye icon is not appreciated.

The tone directed in the post above was not appreciated either.

Just look to Scripture for the answer! James was the son of Zebedee and another Mary.

Luk 5:10 “And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”

Mar 1:16-19 “Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.”

Mar 10:35-41 “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared. And when the ten heard [it], they began to be much displeased with James and John.”.

Mat 20:20-24 “Then came to him the** mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons**, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard [it], they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.”

Mat 27:56-58 “Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children. When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.”

Mar 15:40 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;

Thank you for the clarifications, that does indeed help.

As for this thread, I would like for it to be closed. I don’t want any arguments over whether Joseph had children before Mary, whether he was that much older or anything else. I asked, what I thought was, a simple question and all it needed was a simple answer, not arguments with each other.

Thank you all for your time.
May the Peace of Christ be with you always,
~Katie :knight1:

 

[Karen1960]

StrawberryJam;8277503:

But then, where were all of Joseph’s children when he was in Bethlehem and in Egypt?

Little is actually know of the age of Joseph, or James for that matter, perhaps the children were “of age”, maybe 20 years older then Jesus. They would have headed to Bethlehem along with the rest of Joseph’s relatives, for we also hear nothing about other relatives of Joseph who more then likely also headed home to Bethlehem too.

One point, Joseph did die somewhere between when Jesus was age 12-30, there is no metion of his death, perhaps it was simply old age:shrug:

 

[joshrp]

I had a question about something I keep stumbling upon. A bit back I was reading a Christian book and it talked about James being the brother of Jesus, and not just brotherly like a priest, like related to him. Then a couple times after that I stumbled upon more talk about James being his brother.
Is it that James is his cousin or something? Is it a grammatical issue? I know Jesus has no siblings, but I was curious about this. If I am ever faced with this by a friend or person who thinks this, how can I refute this?

Thanks for all your help!
God Bless,
~Katie :knight1:

The Greek word that is translated as brother in English Bible also means cousin. So to be exact it really should be translated as “James, the male cousin of Jesus” but that sounds kind of silly now doesn’t it?

 

[adrift]

I see my post and agree that I was not using the quote function properly in this thread, and I do try not to do such a thing because it really does make it hard for viewers to know who is saying what.

The sig line has nothing I can see that is a rolling eye on any post but here on this thread in response to my comment. Can you link me to other posts or should I just browse the poster’s history?

It wasn’t your fault. I don’t understand why it happened but the quote feature itself caused the problem. Mine came out the same way but I noticed it in time to erase the problem. It was a funny problem. If you go to his profile, you will see that his signature is rolling eyes. I am not being rude, I hope, just thought that it was a funny circumstance.

 

[adrift]

Woah, it was a simple question. You did not even need to reply, period.
I have indeed read the Bible. I AM Catholic, I have been my entire life. Is it wrong of me to ask more questions to get a better understanding of this Faith of mine? Is it wrong of me to be curious about a rumor I know is not the truth yet don’t know why it is not? Is it wrong of me to want to try and find a way to refute an argument that may someday come up that believes this?
I don’t think so. But then again, I’m not catholic and I’m just reading a “book.”

Do please understand I was NOT talking about the Holy Bible when I said a Christian book. I was talking about a Christian FICTION book I rented at our Library called “The Centurion’s Wife.”
Perhaps I should have said this in the beginning to clarify, that is my fault.

If you would look at all my other threads I have asked very simple questions. I’m sorry if there may be other threads on this same topic. I am a new member and do not fully understand this site’s functions. The replies I got were kind enough and gave me the answers needed. Not once did I feel rather hurt like this.

The tone directed in the post above was not appreciated either.

Thank you for the clarifications, that does indeed help.

As for this thread, I would like for it to be closed. I don’t want any arguments over whether Joseph had children before Mary, whether he was that much older or anything else. I asked, what I thought was, a simple question and all it needed was a simple answer, not arguments with each other.

Thank you all for your time.
May the Peace of Christ be with you always,
~Katie :knight1:

I agree it was a simple question. I hope that you have gotten the answer you would like.

 

[stormyweather]

The Greek word that is translated as brother in English Bible also means cousin. So to be exact it really should be translated as “James, the male cousin of Jesus” but that sounds kind of silly now doesn’t it?

Ah ok, yes. That’s kind of what I thought it was. I had read up on all the translation issues and thought perhaps it was that. Though it makes me wonder…Why don’t protestants take that into account?

Thanks for the help!

I agree it was a simple question. I hope that you have gotten the answer you would like.

Thank you, I believe I did.
I really hope I didn’t sound rude in my last comment. =( I just didn’t want there to be arguing…

Peace be with all of you!
~Katie :knight1: