Did Jesus have brothers and sisters (siblings)?

Quick answer

Jesus had both brothers and sisters, born to Mary and Joseph after His birth. Understanding Jesus’ earthly family helps us see how God used even His siblings—like James and Jude—to shape the early church and spread the gospel.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jesus had brothers and sisters, as clearly indicated in multiple passages where his mother Mary and his siblings are mentioned (Matthew 12:46; Mark 3:31; Luke 8:19). Four brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas—are named, along with references to multiple sisters, though their names are not given (Matthew 13:55). While some traditions, such as Roman Catholicism, interpret these siblings as cousins or relatives, the biblical context supports the understanding that they were Jesus’ literal brothers and sisters, born to Mary and Joseph after Jesus. These siblings, especially James and Jude, played significant roles in the early church and contributed to Christian teachings. Recognizing Jesus had siblings enriches our view of his family life and the early Christian community’s foundation.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Jesus having brothers and sisters is not found in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

The New Testament teaches Jesus had brothers and sisters. Matthew 12:46 states, "While he [Jesus] was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him."

Luke 8:19 also confirms that Jesus had brothers and sisters, "Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd." Mark 3:31 offers a similar parallel account.

Jesus was said to have four brothers: "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?" (Matthew 13:55). This James was the author of the book of James in the New Testament. First Corinthians 15:7 mentions that the resurrected Jesus appeared to this same James. This James was also mentioned in Galatians 1:19 as "James the Lord's brother." Judas (also known as Jude) was the author of the book of Jude in the New Testament.

John 7:1-10 further mentions that Jesus' brothers attended the Jewish festival while Jesus stayed behind. Therefore all four Gospel writers specifically mentioned Jesus having brothers. In addition, the first century Jewish historian Josephus mentioned James the brother of Jesus, offering early extra-biblical support for this historical fact.

In addition to four brothers specifically mentioned in the New Testament, Jesus is also noted as having more than one sister: "And are not all his sisters with us?" (Matthew 13:56). Though unnamed, the plural form indicates more than one sister. The context is clearly speaking of sisters who were the children of Mary and Joseph.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Because modern Roman Catholic teachings accept the belief of the perpetual virginity of Mary, Catholic teachings typically deny that Mary ever had sexual relations and therefore, did not have other children. Instead, the passages related to Jesus having brothers and sisters are reinterpreted as references to other relatives, usually cousins of Jesus. While the Greek term for "brothers" could possibly refer to other relatives, the context of the passages mentioned above from the New Testament make it very clear that literal brothers and sisters of Jesus were in view. Another alternative sometimes presented is that these brothers and sisters were siblings from a previous marriage of Joseph. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.

Biblically, it is evident that Jesus was born of Mary when she was a virgin, meaning she had not had intimate relations before the birth of Jesus. However, nothing in Scripture teaches against Mary and Joseph having other children together after Jesus, something the New Testament teaches as having occurred. Two of these brothers, James and Jude, were early leaders in the church and played an important role in Christianity's early development. These half-brothers of Jesus (called half-brothers since they were not virgin born as Jesus was) offered a rich addition to the heritage of the early Christian faith that have benefited believers throughout history; they continue to impact Christians today through their writings.

UNDERSTAND

Jesus had four named brothers and at least two sisters, born to Mary and Joseph after His birth.

Some of Jesus’ siblings—especially James and Jude—became significant in the early church.

Jesus having siblings gives us a glimpse into his family life.

REFLECT

How does knowing Jesus grew up in a family with siblings shape the way you relate to your own family life and dynamics?

How can you allow God to work through your relationships with your siblings or relatives, just as He did with James and Jude?

What does Jesus’ example of navigating both family and ministry challenges teach you about balancing obedience to God with love for family?

ENGAGE

How might understanding Jesus’ family relationships add depth to our view of His humanity and mission?

What can we learn from the transformation of Jesus’ siblings, especially James and Jude, and how does that speak to the power of encountering Christ?

How should the reality of Jesus having siblings affect the way we view leadership, influence, and legacy within our own families and church communities?