I would first apologize to those offended by my reference to the female anatomy of a religious figure. Perhaps I was a bit hasty to assume that, in the age of “CSI,” a clinical observation wouldn’t “gross” someone out. However, in my experience, when discussing topics of faith, most will not listen to even the most logical reasoning.

I wish to thank Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Walden for the opportunity to shed a lot more light on the subject of Christ’s siblings.

The four Gospels, Acts, and two of Paul’s letters speak of “the Lord’s brothers,” “the brothers of the Lord,” “his brothers,” “his sisters,” naming four of the “brothers“: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. To the scriptures cited in my previous essay I add Mark 3:31; John 2:12; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 9:5; Gal. 1:19.

This cumulative evidence shows that Jesus had at least four brothers, and two sisters, and that all were children of Joseph and Mary by natural means after Jesus’ miraculous birth.

True, there may be no Hebrew word for cousin, but what Mr. Hoffman fails to tell us is that the New Testament was written in Greek, the language of the day.

The claim that “brother” (a del phos) means “cousin” (a ne psi os) is a theoretical contention that is attributed to Jerome and dates no earlier than 383 A.D. Jerome fails to cite any support for this theory, and in later writings he fumbles in his opinions and expresses misgivings about this “cousin theory.”

J.B. Lightfoot states that “St. Jerome pleaded no traditional authority for his theory, and that therefore the evidence in its favour is to be sought in scripture alone. I have examined the scriptural evidence and the … combination of difficulties … more than counterbalances these secondary arguments in its favour, and in fact must lead to its rejection.” – St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, London 1874 p. 258.

In the NT where a nephew or cousin were referred to, a del phos is not used, but the relationship is explained, as “the son of Paul’s sister” or “Mark the cousin” (a ne psi os) of Barnabas. In Luke 21:16 the words syg ge non (relatives, such as cousins) and a del phon (brothers) are both written, affirming that they are not terms used loosely or interchangeably in the NT.

During Jesus’ ministry “his brothers were, in fact, not exercising faith in him,” (John 7:3-5); this rules out their being brothers spiritually. It shows a contrast between his fleshly brothers and his disciples who believed in him. The lack of faith by his fleshly brothers allows us not to identify them with the apostles of the same name: James, Simon, and Judas; they are distinguished from Jesus’ followers.

One may now ask why did Jesus assign the care of his mother to John instead of his half-brothers? Mainly because Jesus’ cousin, the apostle John, was a man proven in faith, and the disciple Jesus loved so dearly, and their spiritual brotherhood was more important than that of flesh; also there is no indication that his brothers of the flesh were as yet his followers.

I hope that I have helped everyone who reads this to understand this topic more clearly. Do not trust churches to teach you what God’s will is, because sadly, truth be told, most of them like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, “teach the commands of men as doctrine.” — Matt. 15:9.

Please, pick up His Word, the Bible, and read and study it for yourself. Jesus himself said it best: ”This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth Jesus Christ.” – John 17:3.

Russell Murphy

Fayetteville, Ga.

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