[blue-duncan]

"Are you aware that the sons of Zebeedee, the first apostles, were not "simple fishermen",but because of where they lived, likely members of the tribe of Zebulon?"

John 19:25 mentions four women standing at the cross, Mary, Jesus' mother, Mary's sister, Mary, the wife of Cleophas (Alphaeus) and Mary Magdalene. Matt. 27:56 identifies Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and Joses and the mother of Zebedee's children. Mark 15:40 identifies the women as Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses and Salome.

From these cites we get;

Mary the mother of Jesus,
Mary's sister, Salome, the mother of Zebedee's children, James and John, Jesus' cousins, and therefore of the tribe of Judah,
Mary wife of Cleophas (Alphaeus) mother of James the Less and Joses,
Mary Magdalene

As to Jesus' brothers and sisters, Mark 6:1 says Jesus came to Nazareth with His disciples and verse 3 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." this is also reported by Matthew 13:55 "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?"

Paul confirms that James was the brother of Jesus,
Gal.1:19 "But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother." and Jude confirms that he was a brother of the Lord, Jude 1:1 "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:"

Paul does not call Peter the Lord's brother and Mark distinguishes disciples from brethren and sisters. Jude identifies himself as the brother of James which fits in with Matthew's and Mark's listing of the brothers of Jesus.

Interesting that the brothers did not recognize Him as the Christ until after the resurrection but His cousins James and John did. this would explain their wanting the choicest seats in glory and John being the disciple that Jesus loved. Cousins are always closer than brothers. they don't know you day after day!
Pardon me if this has probably been posted before, but the exercise was fun.

[D-fendr]

What is the word for "cousin" in Aramaic?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Thanks, b-d, for the informative run-down on Jesus' most excellent hood. 8~)

[1000 silverlings]

Thanks BD, very good post. I'll save the information.

I knew there was something about Zebulon and Jesus: Matthew 4:13-17, referencing Isaiah 9;1,2, and 42, 6,7