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Taylor Marshall

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Did Jesus have Brothers?

The so-called “Brothers” of Jesus
In Jewish antiquity, “brother” does not mean “blood brother” but simply “kinsman”

For example:
Gen 14:14 – Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Gen 11:26-28), described as Abraham’s brother (KJV)
Gen 29:15 – Laban, Jacob’s uncle, calls Jacob his “brother” (KJV)

The “brothers” of Jesus number are actually the children of Mary the wife of Cleophas
Mary wife of Cleophas and “sister” of the Virgin Mary (Jn 19:25) is the mother of James and Joseph (Mk 15:47; Mt 27:56) who are called the “brothers of Jesus” (Mk 6:3).

The number of the “brothers” of Jesus equals about 95 men!!!
Acts 1:12-15 says that there were 120 at Pentecost consisting of apostles (12 people), Mary (1 person), “some women” (about 12 people) and Jesus’ “brothers”—this means that the “brothers of Jesus” numbered at about 95 people!!! Obviously “brothers” does not mean blood brothers.

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