Did Jesus Have a Brother?
Quick Summary
Did Jesus have brothers? The Gospels name four of them—James, Joseph (Joses), Simon, and Judas (Jude)—and also mention unnamed sisters. But what exactly does “brother” mean in this context? Interpretations vary across Christian traditions. Protestants generally understand these as Jesus’ biological half-siblings. Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians often see them as cousins or step-siblings, protecting the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity. This post explores these interpretations, the biblical texts, and the historical roles these family members played in the early church.
Biblical Mentions of Jesus’ Brothers and Sisters
The most direct references to Jesus’ siblings appear in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark:
“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us?” (Matthew 13:55–56)
“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” (Mark 6:3)
These verses clearly name four brothers and mention sisters. The Greek term used is adelphos, a word that can mean brother but can also mean relative or kin depending on context.
Protestant Interpretation: Literal Siblings
In most Protestant traditions, the siblings of Jesus are understood to be the biological children of Mary and Joseph, born after Jesus. This interpretation fits the plain reading of the text and does not require additional assumptions about Mary’s lifelong virginity.
James, in particular, becomes a towering figure in the early church, eventually leading the Jerusalem church and authoring the New Testament epistle bearing his name. Protestants often cite Galatians 1:19—“But I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother”—as further support for this view.
Source: Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. B&H Academic, 2009, pp. 252–253.
Roman Catholic Interpretation: Cousins or Stepbrothers
Roman Catholic doctrine affirms Mary’s perpetual virginity. To uphold this belief, Catholic interpreters argue that the “brothers” of Jesus were either cousins (possibly sons of Mary’s sister) or stepbrothers (children of Joseph from a previous marriage).
The argument for cousins leans on the flexible use of adelphos and the presence of a second Mary—sometimes called Mary of Clopas—in the Gospels. This Mary is occasionally linked to the children listed in Matthew 13.
The stepbrother theory goes further back, appearing in second-century apocryphal writings like the Protoevangelium of James, which suggests that Joseph was a widower with children when he was betrothed to Mary.
Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 499–501; Brown, Raymond E. The Birth of the Messiah. Doubleday, 1993, pp. 104–110.
Eastern Orthodox Interpretation: Stepbrothers from a Previous Marriage
Eastern Orthodoxy also affirms Mary’s perpetual virginity and typically holds to the idea that Jesus’ “brothers” were step-siblings—sons of Joseph from a previous marriage. This aligns with ancient Christian traditions preserved in the writings of church fathers like Epiphanius of Salamis and the Protoevangelium of James.
Orthodox liturgical and iconographic traditions often reflect this understanding. In Orthodox teaching, Joseph is portrayed as an elderly widower who served as Mary’s guardian more than a conventional husband.
Source: Ware, Kallistos. The Orthodox Church. Penguin Books, 1993, pp. 223–224.
Names of Jesus’ Brothers
The Gospels name four brothers:
James – Becomes a key leader in the early church; called “James the Just.” Author of the Epistle of James.
Joseph (Joses) – Less is known about him.
Simon – Mentioned but not further described.
Judas (Jude) – Traditionally credited with writing the Epistle of Jude.
The sisters are not named, and their number is unspecified.
Did They Believe in Jesus?
Initially, Jesus’ family seemed skeptical of his ministry:
“For not even his brothers believed in him.” (John 7:5)
“When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ‘He has gone out of his mind.’”(Mark 3:21)
But after the resurrection, their stance changed. Acts 1:14 places Jesus’ brothers among the earliest believers gathered in prayer. James and Jude go on to play major roles in the spread of early Christianity.
What Difference Does It Make?
These discussions about Jesus’ family aren’t just theological trivia. They reflect deeper convictions about who Jesus is, what it means for God to enter human life, and how sacred traditions are preserved.
For Protestants, the presence of biological siblings emphasizes Jesus’ full humanity. He grew up in a real family, with all the complexity that entails.
For Catholics and Orthodox believers, the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity underscores Jesus’ divine origin and Mary’s unique role in salvation history.
The variations remind us that Christian faith is textured. Scripture gives us a window, but tradition gives us different lenses.
Does Jesus Have a Brother? Meaning for Today
At the heart of this question lies another: Who belongs in Jesus’ family now? In Mark 3:35, Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
Biological or not, Jesus redefined family around faith and faithfulness. Whether his brothers were half-siblings, cousins, or stepbrothers, the message remains: we are invited into that family. Not because of bloodlines, but because of grace.
And in that family, there is always room for more.
Works Consulted
Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. B&H Academic, 2009.
Brown, Raymond E. The Birth of the Messiah. Doubleday, 1993.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1993.
Ware, Kallistos. The Orthodox Church. Penguin Books, 1993.
