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How Many Brothers Did Jesus Have?

Published in Jesus' Siblings 2 mins read

Jesus had four brothers.

According to the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament, specifically Mark 6:3, Jesus had four named brothers. This verse identifies them explicitly as part of his family, along with an unspecified number of sisters.

The Brothers of Jesus

The biblical text from Mark 6:3 mentions the names of Jesus' four brothers: James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. These individuals are presented as direct siblings of Jesus, born to Mary.

Relationship Name
Brother James
Brother Joses
Brother Judas
Brother Simon

Jesus' Siblings in the New Testament

The mention of Jesus' brothers and sisters provides insight into his early life and family background within the context of the New Testament.

  • Identified by Name: The specificity of names like James, Joses, Judas, and Simon underscores their connection to Jesus. James, in particular, is often identified with James the Just, a prominent leader in the early Christian church in Jerusalem.
  • Beyond Brothers: Mark 6:3 also notes that Jesus had sisters, though their names are not provided in this particular verse. The presence of both brothers and sisters indicates that Jesus was part of a larger family unit, as referenced in other biblical texts.

This clear enumeration in the New Testament provides the direct answer to the question of how many brothers Jesus had. For more context, you can refer to the full text of Mark 6:3.