"Is not this the carpenter's son?," the Jews asked, "is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are thy not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?" (Matt. 13: 55, 56).
It is evident that the Greek adelphos (brothers/sisters) is used in the case of Jesus' brothers and sisters in the flesh. And before you start there is also no evidence or reason to say that these were Joseph's children by a previous marriage.
The main reason there is controversy over this matter is because of the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary.
BigMack
Humor Break
May 2005
Dear Dr. Adams: I read with great interest your recent article "Red Headed Woodpeckers." Tell me Dr., how come you kill deer and watch birds? Why don't you put down your rifle and watch them both?
Raymond
Hi Raymond. That's a good question, with a simple answer. I like the taste of roasted venison, but not roasted woodpecker. Let me know if I can be of further assistance, Ray.
Mike Adams
Funny guy. Tell me this, Dr. Smarta**, have you EVER given money to a panhandler?
Raymond
No, Raymond, I haven't. What's your point?
Mike Adams
My point is that if you feed birds and not the homeless, you are (sic) pompous, hypocritical a**. Obviously, you value the birds more than the homeless.
Raymond
I don't have a problem with that, Raymond. The birds don't steal my hubcaps and crack dealers don't accept seeds.
Mike Adams
You're sure that adelphos could never be used for step-brothers/half-brothers?
And before you start there is also no evidence or reason to say that these were Joseph's children by a previous marriage.
There's no evidence to say they were not either.
Name one person in Scripture who is a child of Mary. Just one.
SD