Question:
Did Mary have other children besides Jesus?
Answer:
The Gospel of Mark says, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” (Mark 6:3). (See also Matt. 13: 55, 56). Those mentioned as brothers of Jesus were doubtless children of Joseph by a former wife. Some have contended that they were merely cousins or close relatives, but one would hardly expect the language of Mark 6:3, Matthew 12:46, and Galatians 1:19 to refer to cousins. It would seem that the expression in Galatians would mean one who was an actual brother. These brothers seem older than Jesus because they assumed to direct Him (see John 7:3-5). Then, too, that His brothers were brothers by law is indicated by the fact that Jesus committed His mother to John, the beloved disciple, and not His brothers. At that time, Joseph was probably dead. But these things matter little. We must be genuinely His disciples so that Matthew 12:49 may be true in our case, “Behold My mother and My brethren.”
