Simon, Joseph (Jr.?), Judah and James

[LeahInancsi]

Catholics believe that Mary had no other children than Jesus.

Apparently, many Protestants believe that the use of the term “brethren” in the New Testament is evidence that Mary had more children and Jesus had half brothers.

Are these half brothers thought to be Simon, Joseph (Jr.?), Judah and James?

 

[Eileen_T]

Jesus’ “Brothers” - James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas - and Mary’s Perpetual Virginity
bringyou.to/apologetics/a27.htm

 

[LeahInancsi]

Eileen,

I just I’m looking for a Protestant to tell me this. With the best Catholic Bibles translated from Greek and in the terminology used in Christ’s time, what did the Greek word translated as “brethren” really mean 2000 years ago?

It all comes down to reading the Bible word for word, even in a good translation and taking the words in today’s context. It’s the same old apologetic argument.

I don’t understand someone who, today, can sit down and expect to know that the English translation they are reading, originally written in Greek, has been properly translated and the meaning of words have not changed over 2000 years.