Jesus had brothers, does this mean Mary was not a virgin?

[Bill777]

The new testament mentions that Jesus had brothers (Matthew 13:55, John 2:12). Isn't this sufficient proof that Mary was not a virgin or else how were those brothers born if not by sexual intercourse? Where does it come the doctrine that Mary was a virgin all her life? It sounds like false teaching to me.

 

[Ave Maria]

Nope, the word used for brothers and sisters could mean anything from cousins to aunts or uncles as the langauge used did not have a word for those things. Mary was always a virgin and never had any children. Therefore, the only "brothers" or "sisters" that Jesus could have possibly had would be step-brothers or step-sisters from a previous marriage of St. Joseph.

http://www.catholic.com/library/Mary_Ever_Virgin.asp

http://www.catholic.com/library/Brethren_of_the_Lord.asp

 

[repentant]

Here we go again. Thread #1,395 about the ever virginity of mary..

 

[thereselittleflower]

Jesus is called the son of Joseph . . . who else is called the son of Joseph?




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[repentant]

Who else is called the son of Mary for that matter..?

 

[thereselittleflower]

Exactly!



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[Strong in Him]

The new testament mentions that Jesus had brothers (Matthew 13:55, John 2:12). Isn't this sufficient proof that Mary was not a virgin or else how were those brothers born if not by sexual intercourse?

Mary was a virgin before, and when, Jesus was born. That's the most important thing. If she later had more children, and Scripture does say that Jesus had siblings, then obviously she was not a virgin all her life. This doesn't matter, and does not detract from the miracle of the virgin birth.

 

[Knowledge3]

Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but the Lord Jesus was conceived without a husband's will, meaning without a human father.

For 235th time, Mary gave birth to the Son of God and did not have other children.

 

[Knowledge3]

Exactly!



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Hi TLF Good morning to you!

 

[Strong in Him]

Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but the Lord Jesus was conceived without a husband's will, meaning without a human father.

Absolutely agree.

For 235th time, Mary ......... did not have other children.

Sorry, but that seems to be a Catholic/Orthodox view only. It can't be proved from Scripture, it is obviously tradition in this branch of the church.

Also, as far as I see, it is completely unimportant. God chose Mary, a virgin, to give birth to Jesus - his Son, the pre existent word, the Saviour of the world. Mary's love for God was obvious in her unquestionning obedience. Jesus came to die, to save us from our sins and tell us that he is the only way to God. We are saved by believing in him and his death for us. What difference does it make whether his mother had any more babies after him?

 

[Knowledge3]

What difference does it make whether his mother had any more babies after him?

Because it is the highest probability that Mary remained chaste and pure in her vow to God to remain celibate after the divine announcement made to her by the angel.

 

[Strong in Him]

Because it is the highest probability that Mary remained chaste and pure in her vow to God to remain celibate after the divine announcement made to her by the angel.

Maybe, but that doesn't explain what difference it makes to us, or why it is necessary to believe it for our salvation.

 

[Knowledge3]

Maybe, but that doesn't explain what difference it makes to us, or why it is necessary to believe it for our salvation.

True, while salvation is found in Jesus alone and no one else; Mary is the prime example of chastity,purity,and obedience to God.

She will only point you to her Son.

 

[Strong in Him]

Having further children afer Jesus does not change the fact that she was obedient to God and gave birth to his Son, the Saviour of the world, through whom we can come to the Father.

 

[Benedicta00]

The new testament mentions that Jesus had brothers (Matthew 13:55, John 2:12). Isn't this sufficient proof that Mary was not a virgin or else how were those brothers born if not by sexual intercourse? Where does it come the doctrine that Mary was a virgin all her life? It sounds like false teaching to me.

John Calvin:

"Helvidius has shown himself too ignorant, in saying that Mary had several sons, because mention is made in some passages of the brothers of Christ."8 Calvin translated "brothers" in this context to mean cousins or relatives.

 

[NewToLife]

Sorry, but that seems to be a Catholic/Orthodox view only. It can't be proved from Scripture, it is obviously tradition in this branch of the church.

This is a pretty random assertion, you seem to believe that the older churches need to prove the younger churches wrong. Logically that is an absurd position as the burden of proof falls on the greenhorn not the established position. You cannot prove from scripture that your position is correct, you think you can but that just reveals an inability to move beyond your a priori theological and cultural assumptions. The texts need to be understood as the people who wrote them understood them. Ideally they'd also be understood within the same context too ( ie within the Church ).

Sorry but that Jesus had siblings is simply the recent tradition of your and many other protestant denominations who make up a noisy but ultimately unrepresentative minority of Christianity bith today and throughout history.

 

[LightDancer]

Nope, the word used for brothers and sisters could mean anything from cousins to aunts or uncles as the langauge used did not have a word for those things. Mary was always a virgin and never had any children. Therefore, the only "brothers" or "sisters" that Jesus could have possibly had would be step-brothers or step-sisters from a previous marriage of St. Joseph.

The Torah and Leviticus 18 sure have a lot of words for family members and/or relatives.

Here's a part of Leviticus 18

13 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your mother's sister, because she is your mother's close relative.
14 " 'Do not dishonor your father's brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.
15 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son's wife; do not have relations with her.
16 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your brother's wife; that would dishonor your brother.
17 " 'Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.

__________________

So I disagree with this "cousin" theory.

 

[RccWarrior]

Of course The blessed Mother had no other children. Her duty was to carry our Savior and our Savior only. Excellent answers on here from non-Catholics. Thanks for understanding.

 

[Knowledge3]

Having further children afer Jesus does not change the fact that she was obedient to God and gave birth to his Son, the Saviour of the world, through whom we can come to the Father.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/mos/mos06.htm

p. 12

scene that is unfolding itself before our eyes. In Nazareth, that despised place, there was found a young virgin, unknown by the world, whose name was Mary. She was espoused to Joseph, who was of the house of David; but so out of order was every-thing in Israel that this descendant of the king was a carpenter. But what is this to God? Mary was a chosen vessel; she had "found favour in the eyes of God."

 

[Uphill Battle]

There is no hard proof one way or the other. While it is entirely possible that "brother" may have meant cousin, a straightforward reading of the text doesn't reveal that.

It doesn't matter though. If you have faith in Christ, and never once in your life thought about the virginity or non-virginity of Mary AFTER the birth of Christ, if it never entered your mind to wonder one way or the other, you would be no less a Christian than if you did.