Bible Study - JESUS' Family - Brothers and Sisters? - Various - December 7, 2025

Bible Study – JESUS’ Family – Brothers and Sisters? – December 7, 2025

Keep in mind JESUS was and is the first born of the Virgin Mary.

I know this study may give some who read this Spiritual heartburn but let’s explore.

We know JESUS had brothers. In last week’s study we saw that HIS brothers poked fun at HIM, as expressed in John 7: The Unbelief of Jesus’s Brothers

7 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since he did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill him. ² The Jewish Festival of Shelters^[a] was near. ³ So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples can see your works that you are doing. ⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ (For not even his brothers believed in him.)

⁶ Jesus told them, “My time has not yet arrived, but your time is always at hand. ⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it does hate me because I testify about it—that its works are evil. ⁸ Go up to the festival yourselves. I’m not going up to this festival,^[b] because my time has not yet fully come.” ⁹ After he had said these things, he stayed in Galilee.

JESUS being the Promised Messiah only did what GOD, HIS FATHER instructed or showed HIM to do. Timing was vital and important in the life of JESUS to fulfill GOD’S redemptive plan, which HE did.

But we do see sibling rivalry raise its head in JESUS earthly family, which would seem to be normal, as well as challenging. Keep in mind that JESUS was tempted in all ways as humans are tempted and sibling rivalry is certainly, often, a challenge.

As we unpack this study there are some of certain religious backgrounds who will not embrace the facts that JESUS had siblings i.e. brothers and sisters.

Salvation is not complicated. It is by faith in the atoning sinless life of JESUS and HIS willingness to give HIS sinless life to pay the penalty for all sin, in full, which GOD, JESUS’ FATHER requires.

JESUS paid the sin debt, in full, which opened the redemptive path to GOD and by faith each person who places his/her faith in JESUS is “born-again” Spiritually and becomes a SON or DAUGHTER/CHILD of GOD.

The “born-again” person becomes an eternal Child of GOD and an eternal citizen of Heaven.

Now, onto a question and some Biblical information that some reading this may have an issue or discover truth.                              

Some church denominations are staunch in their belief that JESUS did not have physical brothers or sisters. They consider that The Virgin Mary did not have other children, especially daughters. I am not asking you to accept or deny but consider the scripture. Salvation is not dependent upon a person believing whether or not JESUS had siblings. JESUS was and is the first born of the Virgin Mary and was and is GOD’S promised Messiah. The Passion of JESUS seals IT for those who place their faith in JESUS by asking JESUS to forgive him or her for all his/her sins and for JESUS to come into his/her heart, The Holy Spirit confirms it. Let’s explore!!!

It is hard to deny that JESUS had half-brothers, since they were prominent in carrying on the work that JESUS began, but half-sisters may be more difficult for some to consider because of the role of females in the times of JESUS and even too many today.

Did JESUS have half-sisters?

I know that certain church denominations absolutely reject the idea that JESUS had siblings, which is okay. Just consider scripture and know that a person’s salvation is not dependent upon embracing whether or not JESUS had physical brothers and/or sisters.

We do know based on John 3:16:

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

Focus upon the fact, if you have asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart, HE does. Doing so results in you being “born again” Spiritually. This second birth is eternal and the person of faith in JESUS becomes an eternal member of GOD’S Family and a citizen of Heaven.

The Holy Spirit confirms our Spiritual Birth into GOD’S Family by the gift of the Holy Spirit along with one or more Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

So, let’s dip our toes into the water of JESUS having siblings:

Mark 6:1 He left there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ² When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. “Where did this man get these things?” they said. “What is this wisdom that has been given to him, and how are these miracles performed by his hands? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” So, they were offended by him.

Matthew 13: ⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables, he left there. ⁵⁴ He went to his hometown and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? ⁵⁵ Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, Joseph,^[n] Simon, and Judas? ⁵⁶ And his sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where does he get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they were offended by him.

Mark 3:31 Christian Standard Bible True Relationships

³¹ His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent word to him and called him.

Mark 6:1 He left there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ² When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. “Where did this man get these things?” they said. “What is this wisdom that has been given to him, and how are these miracles performed by his hands? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” So, they were offended by him.

Luke 8: ¹⁹ Then his mother and brothers came to him, but they could not meet with him because of the crowd. ²⁰ He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

John 2:12: ¹² After this, he went down to Capernaum, together with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples, and they stayed there only a few days.

John 7: ³ So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples can see your works that you are doing.

Acts 1:14 They all were continually united in prayer,^[b] along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

1 Corinthians 9:⁵ Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife^[a] like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas?

Galatians 1: ¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas,^[e] and I stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

These are the references in scripture.

We do know that the Apostle Paul (Saul before his conversion to being a follower of JESUS) had a special encounter with JESUS as he was going to Damascus to arrest those who were early followers of JESUS, called The Way. Saul/Paul was a Pharisee and had studied under the Jewish teacher Gamaliel.

I know certain church denominations consider Mary as not having any other children than JESUS. She was a virgin when JESUS was conceived by and when THE HOLY SPIRIT came upon her and that fact is fully established by GOD, the angel Gabriel, HIS birth and the wisemen that followed the Star.

The Angel Gabriel is one of only two angels specifically named in the Bible. The other angel is Michael.

Gabriel’s name in Hebrew means “GOD is my strength” or Mighty one of GOD and he spoke directly to the virgin Mary.

The conception of JESUS is a beautiful example of eternal conception when, we, as humans, are “born again” Spiritually. The Holy Spirit unites with the human spirit, which let’s consider the spiritual egg. Thus, the term for humans, is to be “born again” Spiritually into the eternal Family of GOD never to be Spiritually unborn.

Scripture supports the concept of the Holy Spirit being the “Divine Sperm.”  Once, a person is “born-again” Spiritually, that person is eternally GOD’S Son or Daughter and their citizenship is in Heaven.

There is a but ------

A Spirit born person’s failure to obediently serve the LORD JESUS, compromises his/her Heavenly rewards as expressed in 1 Corinthians 3:10 – 15: ¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

A Spirit-born Christian may go through life doing his or her own thing after his/her Spiritual birth but is the person being led by the Holy Spirit? Ouch, this applies to all of us who have been born-again.

This is why all Spirit born people need to study GOD’S Word, pray, and allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead, teach, strengthen, and guide.

1 John 3:9 (Amplified)

No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him or her [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him (or her)]; and he (or she) cannot practice sinning because he (or she) is born (begotten) of God.

Salvation is not dependent upon a person believing whether or not JESUS had physical brothers and/or sisters. Salvation is available to all who place his/her faith in JESUS and HIS physical birth, HIS physical sinless life, teaching, and passion which satisfied the sin debt that all humans owe.

The shedding of the sinless blood of JESUS upon the cross atoned for the sin debt. When the sin barrier was removed by the shedding of the blood of JESUS, HIS death, resurrection on the third day, the path to salvation, through faith in JESUS, was opened to all who will place their faith in JESUS. However, a person must acknowledge and claim his/her salvation through faith in JESUS.

How about babies and those who have not reached “the age of accountability” for various reasons? GOD covers them under HIS Grace.

Matthew 18 - Who Is the Greatest?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a small child and had him (it was a boy) stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children (all inclusive – male and female), you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ...

Dear JESUS help us all to be like little children, eagerly seeking to know YOU, obediently serving YOU and learning from YOU and THE FATHER. Not just to know about YOU but to KNOW YOU as YOU walk with us on our journey through life upon earth. Graft us into the true vine of JESUS so YOUR nourishment and life blood will flow through us to minister to others as YOU give us opportunity. May YOU keep a close watch on us that we are not led astray by false notions or doctrines, as we approach the second coming of JESUS.

We know that as we get ever closer to YOUR return, as recorded in Matthew 24:24

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

It is vital that we who know JESUS to also know the truth of GOD’S Word.

Whether or not you believe that JESUS had physical brothers and/or sisters is not the issue. What is vital is, “do you know JESUS as your Savior and LORD?” If not, now is your opportunity:

Ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and ask JESUS to come into your heart and make you complete through the miracle of you being born again Spiritually into GOD’S eternal Family through faith in JESUS.

It is not saying the right words. It is all about the attitude of your heart.

If you prayed such a prayer or similar, then welcome into GOD’S eternal family. You have been born-again, and you are GOD’S eternal Son or Daughter. You have the Holy Spirit residing in you. The Holy Spirit will confirm your salvation with at least one or more Spiritual Gift(s) and will open your Spiritual eyes to all truth. You have full and complete access to JESUS and GOD 24/7. The Holy Spirit is your teacher and revealer of truth.

If you are not already in a Bible believing and teaching church or fellowship, then pray and ask JESUS to lead you to where you can be fed, serve and grow Spiritually.

Rejoice and tell a fellow believer that you have asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and asked JESUS to come into your heart.

I rejoice with you and pray for you!!! Welcome HOME!!!

Blessings!!!

Addendum: The Apostle Paul’s testimony in James 1 ¹³ For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. ¹⁵ But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.^[d] 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas,^[e Peter^] and I stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.

²¹ Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. ²³ They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.^[f]

Blessings!!!