Siblings of Jesus?

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So that brings me back to my earlier question that has been dodged. Are you claiming that God’s Word is false in:

Matthew 1:24-25, Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not (this means he did not have relations with her) TILL SHE HAD BROUGHT FORTH HER FIRSTBORN SON: and he called his name JESUS.

(Edited)
(Edited)

[25] Until she bore a son: the evangelist is concerned to emphasize that Joseph was not responsible for the conception of Jesus. The Greek word translated “until”** does not imply normal marital conduct after Jesus’ birth, nor does it exclude it.**
 
The truth is, is that the bible never say’s that those other siblings were born of Mary.
The only one born of Mary whom is mentioned in the bible is Jesus.

Firstborn doesn’t mean that there are others born after that one.
Firstborn is a title for the first one born out of the womb. Instead of using your 21st century logic, you have to understand what firstborn meant for the 1st century Jews.
It is a honor or a title.
Just like God wanted the firstborn animals sacrificed at the temple. That doesn’t mean that there would have been other animals born to the mother, she could have died, but God wanted the first one out of the womb of the animal offered at the temple.

I suggest you get a book on the times and life of Jesus and the Jews to understand their culture so you don’t make such ignorant comments in the future and embarrass yourself.
(Edited)

Mark 6:14-16
14King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,[c] “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

15Others said, “He is Elijah.”
And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”

16But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”
 
Yeah? What about the apostles? What does that have to do with Jesus’ siblings?
Okay. We are given several names, here.

We do a word study on them using a search engine like Biblegateway. We find other instances of these names being mentioned, and we see that none of them are said to be the children of Mary and Joseph. We find that all except one of them are the sons of Alphaeus. We find five other instances of the name Simon in the New Testament - Simon Peter, the son of Jonah and brother of Andrew. Simon the Leper, Simon of Cyrene, Simon the Zealot, and Simon the Magician. None of these seem to be likely candidates to be younger sons of Mary and Joseph. Therefore, the Simon who is listed as a “brother” of Jesus is probably more like a cousin, or else he is a spiritual brother, in that he is an Apostle - but not physically a brother of Jesus.
 
You haven’t proved anythng.

[25] Until she bore a son: the evangelist is concerned to emphasize that Joseph was not responsible for the conception of Jesus. The Greek word translated “until”** does not imply normal marital conduct after Jesus’ birth, nor does it exclude it.**
You have got to be kidding me. So the Bible plays word games with It’s readers then? The only thing playing the word games is the Catholic doctrine. The Catechism. The catechism gives this false explanation that James and Joseph are born of this “other” Mary, which is completely unfounded in God’s Word. Do any of you not find it shocking that the Catholic Mary so closely resembles a Pagan God in this perpetual virgin state, than she does the Biblical mother of Jesus? Someone please explain to me why. Is it to elevate her to a goddess-like status, so that she may be worshiped, bowed down to, prayed to, honored, or whatever terminology you would like to sugar coat it with?
 
So that brings me back to my earlier question that has been dodged. Are you claiming that God’s Word is false in:

Matthew 1:24-25, Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not (this means he did not have relations with her) TILL SHE HAD BROUGHT FORTH HER FIRSTBORN SON: and he called his name JESUS.

(Edited)
(Edited) As has already been shown to you, the words used in the original Greek text (heos hou) do not translate exactly by the English word ‘until’. The semantic field is different in the two languages. There is no implication of reversal of a situation in the Greek word. The TEV translation of the United Bible Society gives the translation of this verse as, “Joseph did not know Mary BEFORE she gave birth.” The Greek usage gives no implication about what happens afterward. This article addresses the use of “until” at length using examples from within Scripture itself that make the Catholic and Orthodox point:

bringyou.to/apologetics/num27.htm

Regarding “firstborn”, this is a technical Jewish term of the child (also applies to the husbandry animals) that opens the womb - for which there were certain ceremonial functions to be carried out in dedicating and “buying back” the child (or the animal). Exodus 22:28ff and Deut. 15:19 address this. Being the child that opens the womb doesn’t mean absolutely that others were born to the mother.

Further, Matthew 1:25 tells us that Joseph did not have relations with Mary before the birth of her Son. Why not? There was no ban on intercourse during pregnancy under the Jewish Law under normal circumstances, and if he was going to have intercourse with her after the pregnancy why not before?

It was because in Jewish culture this would have meant that Joseph acknowledged biological fatherhood over Jesus. Because he refused to do this he was saying in essence that he did not accept Jesus as his biological son though he would accept him as his legal son. By refusing to consummate his marriage with Mary he was in conformity with the Jewish Law. By not having intercourse with Mary before the birth of Jesus he is acknowledging in principle that he was also forbidden to have intercourse with her thereafter. A woman found to be with child that is not her husband’s is forbidden forever more to him and to the man who impregnated her. (In fact, a woman caught in adultery is likewise penalized.)

Under Jewish, because Mary was found to be with child before she had consummated her marriage to Joseph she was forever forbidden to him. He could keep her as his wife but he was not allowed intimate relations with her. Had Mary born any children after Jesus she would have been stoned to death under the Law. Had Joseph claimed those children to be biologically his, he would have been stoned to death also. And Joseph, (if for no other reason, but we know there was one) being a “righteous man” would have been obedient to Jewish law whether or not anyone else knew about the origins of the Child.

Welcome to CAF. 🙂
 
(Edited)

The Bible wasn’t originally written in English, nor was it written by people who share our culture or our assumptions.

The meaning of the word “until” in that passage is the meaning that we mean when we say, “After joining AA, he never took another drink again until he died.”

Do we mean that he started drinking after he died? No - “until” simply signifies the end of a particular condition - that is, that he was alive, and not drinking. “Until” signifies the change from alive to dead; not the change from not drinking to drinking.

In the same way, the “until” in that verse shows the change in condition from Jesus not being born yet, to Jesus being born and living with them as their son. It does not signify that Joseph began having a sexual relationship with Mary.
 
The Bible wasn’t originally written in English, nor was it written by people who share our culture or our assumptions.

The meaning of the word “until” in that passage is the meaning that we mean when we say, “After joining AA, he never took another drink again until he died.”

Do we mean that he started drinking after he died? No - “until” simply signifies the end of a particular condition - that is, that he was alive, and not drinking. “Until” signifies the change from alive to dead; not the change from not drinking to drinking.

In the same way, the “until” in that verse shows the change in condition from Jesus not being born yet, to Jesus being born and living with them as their son. It does not signify that Joseph began having a sexual relationship with Mary.
So did Mary die when Jesus was born?
 
(Edited)
The point is, is that Mary was a virgin at the time of the birth of Jesus.
Look, I am sorry for my earlier comment, you are probably well informed on the times and life of Jesus and the Jewish culture at those times.
But I have to tell you though, I think I will stick with St. Jerome who in 383 wrote the following letter. I think that St. Jerome was probably smarter in his little pinky, that the both of us combined

[The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary

Against Helvidius.](http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3007.htm)

Read it you like otherwise don’t.
I know it isn’t the bible, and it isn’t inspired by God, but it does show what the early Christians believed.

The reason the Catholics believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary is because that is what has been handed down from the Apostles.
 
No, the bible is trying to make a point.
The point is, is that Mary was a virgin at the time of the birth of Jesus.
Look, I am sorry for my earlier comment, you are probably well informed on the times and life of Jesus and the Jewish culture at those times.
But I have to tell you though, I think I will stick with St. Jerome who in 383 wrote the following letter. I think that St. Jerome was probably smarter in his little pinky, that the both of us combined

[The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary

Against Helvidius.](http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3007.htm)

Read it you like otherwise don’t.
I know it isn’t the bible, and it isn’t inspired by God, but it does show what the early Christians believed.

The reason the Catholics believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary is because that is what has been handed down from the Apostles.
You are partially, right, it does show what “some” early Christians believe. But I think I will take the Word of God over what any man or woman on Earth has to say. Regardless, this is an everlasting debate, and my intent is not to cause outrage in anyone, but to provoke sensible argument and debate. I’ts obvious that we aren’t going to convince eachother, because we believe in different sources for our faith, but I thank all of you who participated in thread and I look forward to further debates. Good day.
 
(Edited)

Even the Scriptures indicate pretty clearly that the “brothers and sisters” of Christ had different mothers and fathers. That’s what closes the issue for me, anyway - it’s not a matter of Church teaching contradicting the Scriptures (both, by the way, are the Word of God) but rather, a matter of delving more deeply into the Scriptures to see where these other names are mentioned, and seeing who these people really were. When you delve more deeply into it, you see that Mary and Joseph could not possibly be the parents of these others.
 
You are partially, right, it does show what “some” early Christians believe. But I think I will take the Word of God over what any man or woman on Earth has to say. Regardless, this is an everlasting debate, and my intent is not to cause outrage in anyone, but to provoke sensible argument and debate. I’ts obvious that we aren’t going to convince each other, because we believe in different sources for our faith, but I thank all of you who participated in thread and I look forward to further debates. Good day.
Why do you assume that your interpretation of scripture is the correct one and St. Jerrome’s interpretation in incorrect?
 
Why do you assume that your interpretation of scripture is the correct one and St. Jerrome’s interpretation in incorrect?
“And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” **Mark 12:24 **

Why does Paul instruct us to study the Bible if we can’t interpret it?

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” **John 16:13 **

The Holy Spirit… Not the pope, Not Paul, Not Peter, and definitely not St. Jerrome… the HOLY SPIRIT
 
For a clear and concise explanation of this assertion for those who are used to “cherry-picking” scripture, or those who quote scripture out of context, please visit the biblechristiansociety. The twelfth paragraph down explains this situation very clearly:

biblechristiansociety.com/apologetics/two_minute#12

Thus, from scripture alone, it is clear that Jesus may have had half-brothers and sisters, but was Mary’s only child.
 
“And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” **Mark 12:24 **

Why does Paul instruct us to study the Bible if we can’t interpret it?
We can, but we have to read the whole thing; you can’t just cherry pick a verse or two and assume you know what it means. The “brothers” of Jesus have different parents than Jesus did - you see that when you search their names in a search engine.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” **John 16:13 **
The Holy Spirit… Not the pope, Not Paul, Not Peter, and definitely not St. Jerrome… the HOLY SPIRIT
Are you trying to infer that St. Jerome never studied the Bible? He studied it in the original languages, and his translation is still considered to be the most authentic translation in the whole world - it is the basis for every other translation ever made, since, including every English translation.

Or are you trying to say that St. Jerome never had the Holy Spirit - in which case, how can you trust anything in the Bible, since it was St. Jerome who gave us all of our Bible translations? (The originals that he worked from no longer exist; we rely today on his work.)
 
“And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” **Mark 12:24 **

Why does Paul instruct us to study the Bible if we can’t interpret it?

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” **John 16:13 **

The Holy Spirit… Not the pope, Not Paul, Not Peter, and definitely not St. Jerrome… the HOLY SPIRIT
I will ask you again, but in a different way.
Why do you think that the Holy Spirit has led you to the correct interpretation of scripture, and it didn’t lead St. Jerome to the correct interpretation of scripture?
 
We can, but we have to read the whole thing; you can’t just cherry pick a verse or two and assume you know what it means. The “brothers” of Jesus have different parents than Jesus did - you see that when you search their names in a search engine.

Are you trying to infer that St. Jerome never studied the Bible? He studied it in the original languages, and his translation is still considered to be the most authentic translation in the whole world - it is the basis for every other translation ever made, since, including every English translation.

Or are you trying to say that St. Jerome never had the Holy Spirit - in which case, how can you trust anything in the Bible, since it was St. Jerome who gave us all of our Bible translations? (The originals that he worked from no longer exist; we rely today on his work.)
The previous scriptures have already answered your question. Read them again. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your own interpretation of the scriptures I have provided you.

“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
John 8:32

Do you want to place your trust in the the Word of God, or do you want to place your faith in man-made traditions of hell?
 
(Edited) As has already been shown to you, the words used in the original Greek text (heos hou) do not translate exactly by the English word ‘until’. The semantic field is different in the two languages. There is no implication of reversal of a situation in the Greek word. The TEV translation of the United Bible Society gives the translation of this verse as, “Joseph did not know Mary BEFORE she gave birth.” The Greek usage gives no implication about what happens afterward. This article addresses the use of “until” at length using examples from within Scripture itself that make the Catholic and Orthodox point:

bringyou.to/apologetics/num27.htm

Regarding “firstborn”, this is a technical Jewish term of the child (also applies to the husbandry animals) that opens the womb - for which there were certain ceremonial functions to be carried out in dedicating and “buying back” the child (or the animal). Exodus 22:28ff and Deut. 15:19 address this. Being the child that opens the womb doesn’t mean absolutely that others were born to the mother.

Further, Matthew 1:25 tells us that Joseph did not have relations with Mary before the birth of her Son. Why not? There was no ban on intercourse during pregnancy under the Jewish Law under normal circumstances, and if he was going to have intercourse with her after the pregnancy why not before?

It was because in Jewish culture this would have meant that Joseph acknowledged biological fatherhood over Jesus. Because he refused to do this he was saying in essence that he did not accept Jesus as his biological son though he would accept him as his legal son. By refusing to consummate his marriage with Mary he was in conformity with the Jewish Law. By not having intercourse with Mary before the birth of Jesus he is acknowledging in principle that he was also forbidden to have intercourse with her thereafter. A woman found to be with child that is not her husband’s is forbidden forever more to him and to the man who impregnated her. (In fact, a woman caught in adultery is likewise penalized.)

Under Jewish, because Mary was found to be with child before she had consummated her marriage to Joseph she was forever forbidden to him. He could keep her as his wife but he was not allowed intimate relations with her. Had Mary born any children after Jesus she would have been stoned to death under the Law. Had Joseph claimed those children to be biologically his, he would have been stoned to death also. And Joseph, (if for no other reason, but we know there was one) being a “righteous man” would have been obedient to Jewish law whether or not anyone else knew about the origins of the Child.

Welcome to CAF. 🙂
Excellent post!:clapping:
 
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