Did Jesus have brothers and sisters?
Yes - the Gospels name four brothers of Jesus (James, Joses, Simon, and Judas) and mention unnamed sisters (Matthew 13:55-56, Mark 6:3). James later became a leader of the Jerusalem church and likely wrote the Epistle of James.
Several New Testament passages refer to Jesus having siblings. In Matthew 13:55-56, the people of Nazareth ask, "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?" Mark 6:3 repeats the same list of brothers. John 7:5 notes that "neither did his brethren believe in him" during his earthly ministry, though this changed after the resurrection - Acts 1:14 shows Jesus's brothers gathered in prayer with the apostles, and Paul lists James, "the Lord's brother," as a witness to the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7, Galatians 1:19). This James went on to lead the Jerusalem church (Acts 15) and is traditionally credited as the author of the Epistle of James, and Jude, another brother, is credited with the short Epistle of Jude.
Key Passages
Jesus's brothers and sisters named
Matthew 13:55-5655 Is not this the carpenterโs son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
His brethren did not believe in him
John 7:3-53 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
The brethren of Jesus gathered in prayer
Acts 1:1414 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
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