Do you think Jesus was an only child? The idea that Jesus had no half-brothers or half-sisters is a common misconception. This idea has been spread, in part, because some felt that it was necessary that Mary remain a perpetual virgin. However, this teaching is contrary to the Bible. Several times in the Bible Jesus’ siblings are referred to. In fact, it is very likely that two half-brothers of the Lord were even authors of New Testament books.
In Matthew 12:47-49, Mark 3:31-35 and Luke 8:19 a Pharisee informs Jesus that His “mother and brethren” are waiting to speak to Him. Jesus responds by saying that his true family are those that do the will of God. This is a direct reference to his earthly mother, Mary, and his earthly brothers.
Matthew 13:55-56 accounts Jesus being rejected in Nazareth. One of the grounds for the people rejecting Him was that they knew Jesus and His family. They said, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph the carpenter? Isn’t his mother Mary and aren’t his brothers James, Joses, Simon and Judas? And don’t we know his sisters?” (My paraphrase). The people rejected Him because they thought Him to be completely human, evidenced by the fact that he had brothers and sisters. His brothers are even named specifically in this passage.
In John 7:2-5 Jesus’ brothers encourage Him to go to the temple for a religious celebration. They mocked Him and urged Him to reveal Himself to all of the Jews at the celebration. The Bible says they did this because they did not yet believe in Him.
Aside from the biblical references to Jesus’ half-brothers and sisters, two New Testament books were likely written by his brothers. James wrote the epistle of James and Judas wrote the book of Jude.
If the Bible is to be taken literally and deemed historically accurate, then Jesus positively had half brothers and sisters and Mary was not a perpetual virgin.
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