Presenting biblical answers to tough questions

Q: I don’t hear much about Jesus’ siblings, did they grow up together? How did they feel about Jesus?

A:  It’s true that Jesus’ siblings are somewhat difficult to spot in Scripture (see Matthew 13:55 for a list of their names). This is because the gospel accounts are not biographies in the modern sense but witness statements of the miracles and message of the Messiah. As such they focus on Jesus’ ministry and not as much upon his family or upbringing.

However, we can use what we are given to piece together a few facts about Jesus’ family. Of course, Jesus was Mary’s firstborn (Matthew 1:24-25; Luke 2:22-23), so the others must have been born after. Any guesses as to their family dynamics are solely speculation as none of the accounts of Jesus’ early years mention his siblings. We are told Jesus’ brothers (technically half-brothers) did not believe in Him right away, probably persisting in their unbelief until after He was raised from the dead (John 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:7).

Two of Jesus’ brothers, James and Jude, do appear in the history of the early church. Apparently after encountering Jesus risen from the dead, James became a believer (1 Corinthians 15:7), and eventually an elder and influential leader in Jerusalem (Acts 15:3; Galatians 2:9), even writing a letter to scattered believers we know as the Epistle of James. However, in his letter he does not call himself the Lord’s brother, choosing the humbler title of bondservant to Christ.

While not mentioned in Acts, the writer of the epistle known as Jude is traditionally understood to be another brother of Christ. He also refers to himself solely as a bondservant of Christ and brother of James.

Jesus’ half-brothers did not receive any kind of special privileges or recognition because of their relationship to Christ, either by God or by the early Church. However, it seems at least a couple of them accepted the offer that was made to all mankind, that is to accept that their half-brother was really the Son of God, and to receive forgiveness of sins by believing in Him.

If you have a question you would like a Biblical answer to, you can send it via email to [email protected] or by mail to Formoso Church; P.O. Box 66; Formoso, Kan. 66942