Brothers and Sisters?

OSV.com ^ | 05-01-17 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

Brothers and Sisters?

Q. I know that the Church believes in Mary’s perpetual virginity, but what are we to make of the passages in the Gospel that refer to Jesus’ brothers and sisters?

Rose, via email

A. There are a number of places in the New Testament (see Mk 3:31-34; 6:3; Mt 12:46; 13:55; Lk 8:19-20; Jn 2:12; 7:3-10; Acts 1:14; and 1 Cor 9:5) where Jesus’ kinsfolk are mentioned using terms such as “brother” (adelphos), “sister” (adelphe) or “brethren” (adelphoi). But “brother” has a wider meaning both in the Scriptures and at the time they were written. It is not restricted to our literal meaning of a full brother or half-brother in the sense of sibling.

Even in the Old Testament “brother” had a wide range of meaning. In the Book of Genesis, for example, Lot is called Abraham’s brother (see 14:14), but his father was Haran — Abraham’s brother (Gn 11:26-28). So, Lot was actually a nephew of Abraham.

The term “brother” could also refer widely to friends or mere political allies (see 2 Sm 1:26; Am 1:9). Thus, in family relationships, “brother” could refer to any male relative from whom you are not descended. We use words like kinsmen and cousins today, but the ancient Jews did not.

In fact, neither Hebrew nor Aramaic had a word meaning “cousin.” They used terms such as “brother,” “sister” or, more rarely, “kin” or “kinsfolk” (syngenis) — sometimes translated as “relative” in English.

James, for example, whom St. Paul called the “brother of the Lord” (Gal 1:19), is identified by Paul as an apostle and is usually understood to be James the Younger. But James the Younger is elsewhere identified as the son of Alphaeus (also called Clopas) and his wife, Mary (see Mt 10:3; Jn 19:25). Even if James the Greater were meant by St. Paul, it is clear that he is from the Zebedee family, and not a son of Mary or a brother of Jesus (in the strict modern sense) at all.

The early Church was aware of the references to Jesus’ brethren, but was not troubled by them, teaching and handing on the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity. This is because the terms referring to Jesus’ brethren were understood in the wider, more ancient sense. Widespread confusion about this began to occur after the 16th century with the rise of Protestantism and the loss of understanding the semantic nuances of ancient family terminology.

[Salvation]

For your discussion.

[Salvation]

Ping to Monsignor Pope’s OSV column.

[teeman8r]

i do not see it as perpetual virginity.

once the messiah was born of a virgin, the prophecy was fulfilled. according to G-d’s law, siblings would have been expected.

go forth and multiply ...

[Salvation]

**i do not see it as perpetual virginity.**

You are getting false information.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Wow!

Arch-pope starts with the assumption that he prefers, then tries to use the Bible to disprove the opposite.

And this class, is a great demonstration!

Eisegesis (/ˌaɪsəˈdʒiːsəs/; from the Greek preposition εἰς "into" and the ending from the English word exegesis, Greek ἐξήγησις, which in turn is derived from ἐξηγεῖσθαι "to lead out") is the process of interpreting a text or portion of text in such a way that the process introduces one's own presuppositions, agendas, ...

[Salvation]

Many religious leader saw and still see a different point of view.

Perpetual virginity
Is the Perpetual Virginity of Mary a Biblical View?
Aeiparthenos (An Anglo-Catholic Priest on Mary's Perpetual Virginity)
The Early Church Fathers on Mary’s Perpetual Virginity - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Heõs Hou polemic is over: Radio Debate Matatics VS White & Svendsen on Perpetual Virginity Mary
Luther, Calvin, and Other Early Protestants on the Perpetual Virginity of Mary
Luther, Calvin, and Other Early Protestants on the Perpetual Virginity of Mary

[DaveA37]

So what’s the point in arguing who is right and who is wrong? It was said, “go forth and multiply”, can we not take God at his word?

[Salvation]

See #5 for what Calvin, Luther, Zwingli judged to be the answer here.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

I’m grateful the early reformation Fathers recovered the Gospel of Grace.

They didn’t get everything correct.

Recovering the way to eternal life was more than enough!

[Ezekiel]

the loss of understanding the semantic nuances of ancient family terminology.

After 2000 years of the 'semantic nuances of ancient' this or that, most will be shocked and offended by how plainly the text reads. Truly the NT witnesses against this generation, without respect to any particular denomination.

[BenLurkin]

So she and Joseph never consummated their marriage? Where in the Bible does it say that?

[af_vet_1981]

The passage below in Acts uses the word "brethren" twice, ἀδελφοῖς, ἀδελφοί (adelphoi = brothers). Apparently there were alot of brothers.

Strong's Concordance
adelphos: a brother
Original Word: ἀδελφός, οῦ, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: adelphos
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-el-fos')
Short Definition: a brother
Definition: a brother, member of the same religious
community, especially a fellow-Christian.

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

Acts, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verses fourteen to seventeen,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[teeman8r]

seems all conjecture. not wrong information... beliefs that she remained a virgin after birthing, goes against the Father’s creation.

i will stick with knowing G-d’s intent, rather than man’s interpretation.

thanks.

t

[Biggirl]

Thank-you and God Bless.

[af_vet_1981]

I’m grateful the early reformation Fathers recovered the Gospel of Grace.
They didn’t get everything correct.
Recovering the way to eternal life was more than enough!

From the OP: Widespread confusion about this began to occur after the 16th century with the rise of Protestantism ...

Two distinct perspectives were introduced
1. The first asserts that genuine Christianity was lost, buried, and dead for about 1400 years or so and then only began to be emerge, albeit imperfectly and continues to be refined generation after generation as a dynamic discovery process settled on an individual's interpretation and experience; imperfect yet sufficient for individual salvation.
   
   
2. The second upholds one holy catholic and apostolic church from the days of the apostles until this day, howbeit troubled by those who rebel and sow widespread confusion.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Widespread confusion about this began to occur...

... generally, once Arch-pope hits "publish."

[Salvation]

**They didn’t get everything correct.**

Thank you for confirming Monsignor Pope’s answer.

[Salvation]

So you don’t believe Luther, Calvin or Zwingli either? LOL! You boxed yourself into a corner, didn’t you?

[Bigg Red]

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for those who mock you and our Church.

[BenLurkin]

While those two go after each other, perhaps you can help me. Do you know where in the Bible it says that Joseph and Mary never consummated their marriage?