[metmom]

sons of Mary the wife of Cleophas and sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus;

Why on earth do people think sons of Mary the wife of Cleophas is the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus?

I find it hard to believe that any parents would give two children in the same family the same name.

So Mary, mother of Jesus' parents named TWO daughters *Mary*?????

Nobody does that.

[fidelis]

Why on earth do people think sons of Mary the wife of Cleophas is the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus? I find it hard to believe that any parents would give two children in the same family the same name. So Mary, mother of Jesus' parents named TWO daughters *Mary*????? Nobody does that.

The exact nature of the sisterhood between Jesus’ mother and Mary of Cleophas is unknown. According to some early traditions, Cleophas was Joseph’s brother, which would make the Marys sisters-in-law. Or perhaps they were sisters in the sense an extended family (e.g., cousins). Again, we don't really know and it isn't crucial to our salvation to know one way or the other.