Were John the Baptizer and Jesus cousins?

[tonychanyt]

The Bible does not say specifically that they were cousins.

Luke 1:

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

Elizabeth belonged to the tribe of Levi. So was John.

Jesus was a son of David, not a Levite.

According to Judaism, you belonged to the tribe of your mother.

Mary and Elizabeth were relatives. Luke 1:

36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.

That would also make Jesus and John relatives, but not necessarily cousins. They were cousins in the loose sense.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

The Bible does not say specifically that they were cousins.

Luke 1:


Elizabeth belonged to the tribe of Levi. So was John.

Jesus was a son of David, not a Levite.

According to Judaism, you belonged to the tribe of your mother.

Mary and Elizabeth were relatives. Luke 1:


That would also make Jesus and John relatives, but not necessarily cousins. They were cousins in the loose sense.

Here is Luke 1:36 from the KJV.

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

I don't know if this translation is accurate or not as far as what the relationship was between Mary and Elisabeth. The Greek word can also mean "near relative" or "one of the same race". So, we're left to speculate on that. But, if Mary and Elisabeth were first cousins then that would make Jesus and John the Baptist second cousins. But, because of their difference in ages, Mary and Elizabeth were probably not first cousins. Who knows? Just something interesting to think about.