May 20, 2009

Q: Some Christians believe that Jesus had blood brothers and sisters. Did Mary have other children?

A: There existed a real kinship between Jesus and his “brothers and sisters.” But as “brethren,” or “brothers and sisters,” in scriptural use is often extended to all near and distant relatives the word furnishes no certain indication of the exact nature of the relationship. 

Some ancient heretics (Helvidius, Antidicomarianites) maintained that the “brethren” of Jesus were his uterine siblings, children of Joseph and Mary. This opinion has been revived in modern times. The Latin Fathers hold that they were the Lord’s cousins. That they were not the sons and daughters of Joseph and Mary is proved, among others, by the following reasons, leaving out of consideration the great antiquity of the belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary.

First, it is highly significant that throughout the New Testament Mary appears as the Mother of Jesus and of Jesus alone. This is the more remarkable as she is repeatedly mentioned in connection with her supposed sons, and it would have been quite natural to call them her sons (cf. Mt 12:46; Mk 3:31; Lk 8:19; Acts 1:14).

Second, at his death Jesus recommended his Mother to John. Is not his solicitude for her in his dying hour a sign that she would be left with no one whose duty it would be to care for her? And why recommend her to an outsider if she had other sons or daughters? 

The decisive proof, however, is that the father and mother of at least two of these “brethren” are known to us: James and Joseph, or Joses, are the sons of Alpheus, or Clopas, and of Mary, the sister of Mary the Mother of Jesus, and all agree that if these are not brothers of the Lord, the others are not.

This week’s apologist is Father Andreas Hock, S.S.D., who is chair of sacred Scripture at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Send your question for Ask an Apologist to: editor@archden.org.