Jesus elevated his brothers to positions of power
Jesus was the oldest, but not only, child of Mary and Jospeh. As well as unnamed sisters, the prophet had a number of brothers - James, Joseph, Judas and Simon - who rose to prominence in the early church.
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Context
In arguing the historical existence of Christ, a 17th century book of translations identifies one of Christ's brothers who was executed by a high priest in 62 C.E. This book of translations contains pages from the "Jewish Antiquities", in which its author, Josephus, refers to a man named James as Christ's brother, specifically identifying Christ himself as the messiah and James as the brother to the Messiah.
[1]
The Argument
In Mark 10:35-45, Jesus and his followers had reached the city of Jerusalem. Two of his disciples, who were also brothers, asked Jesus if they could sit on each side of Christ once he began his rule of his kingdom. The two brothers, James and John, were also mentioned again in Matthew 20:20-28. This account of the request to have James and John sit next to Christ also mentions their mother. Their mother is also reported to have made the same request, wanting her sons to have important roles in God's kingdom. While the Bible speculates who exactly James and John's mother was, John 19:25 hints that this woman might be Jesus's aunt, meaning that James and John were most likely Jesus's cousins.
[2]
The Bible also makes reference to figures who are identified as Christ's brothers. Mark 6:3 names Christ's brothers as James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. James and Joses appear again in Mark 15:40. This verse references James and Joses as the sons of Mary, who was one of the women present for Christ's crucifixion.[3] Versus in both Luke and Matthew, specifically Matthew 13:55, mention all four men by name. The goal of versus such as Matthew 13:55, Matthew 1:25, and Luke 2:7 was to show that these four men were the younger half-brothers of Christ. While Christ was the son of God, James, Joses, Judas, and Simon are the natural sons of Mary and Joseph born after the birth of Christ.
[4]
The roles that Jesus's siblings took as significant leaders are also mentioned numerous times in the Bible. All four of Jesus's brothers and his unamed sister are named in John 2:12 as accompanying Jesus and Mary to Capernaum after the marriage at Cana. Jesus's brothers are then referenced as seeking an audience with Jesus in versus of Matthew, Luke, and Mark. The Bible also references James as the leader of the church in Jerusalem. One of the other brothers, though not named, is also hinted at as being the author of the epistle of Jude. [4]
Counter arguments
It is difficult to prove if Jesus had sibilings because it is difficult to determine if we are meant to see these siblings as blood sibilings or as sibilings in a spiritual sense. The Bible does reference other figures as being brothers of Christ, however we are meant to see these other figures as spiritual sibilings as opposed to being biological children of Mary. There is also the fact that James, Joses, Judas, and Simon are never explicitly referenced in the Bible as being the children of Mary; there are, however, Bible scriptures that do reference Jesus as the son of Mary. It is also important to note that at Christ's crucifixion, it is difficult to prove which Mary is being referenced as having witnessed Christ's crucifixion alongside James and Joses. There were many women who were present at the crucifixion and while James and Joses were sons of a woman named Mary, there is little evidence to suggest that this Mary is also the mother of Jesus.
[5]
Premises
Rejecting the premises
References
- https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/did-jesus-exist/
- https://www.easyenglish.bible/bible-study/jesus-life/disciples_james_and_john.htm
- https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/b/brothers-of-jesus.php#:~:text=In%20Mark%206%3A3%2C%20the,the%20women%20watching%20the%20crucifixion.
- https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/did-jesus-have-any-brothers-andor-sisters
- https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/jesus-had-brothers