Did Mary Have Other Children? | Catholic Answers #VirginMary

Tim Staples discusses the biblical references to Jesus' "brothers" and "sisters," particularly in Matthew 13:55-56, where names like James and Joseph are mentioned. He emphasizes that the New Testament was written in Greek and reflects a Jewish cultural context where the term "brother" could include cousins or extended family members, as Hebrew and Aramaic lack a specific word for cousin.

Staples argues that these references do not imply that Mary had other biological children. He points out that in Matthew 27:56, the same individuals are mentioned alongside their mother, Mary of Cleopas, indicating they are not uterine brothers of Jesus. He also highlights that early Church Fathers and Protestant reformers, such as John Calvin, recognized this distinction.

The discussion reinforces the Catholic belief in Mary's perpetual virginity, asserting that her question to the angel Gabriel during the Annunciation implies a vow of virginity. Staples encourages respectful dialogue with those who hold differing views while providing biblical and historical evidence for Mary's unique role.

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[unknown]

Mathew 13:55-56 ?? The Bible says Jesus had brothers and sisters.

[solovableify]

But she was married. If she remained a virgin, then was her husband Joseph a virgin too?

[davidcloyd]

Why not just respect the text instead of “traditions”? James was His brother and that serves as a powerful testimony to the resurrection. James rejected Jesus’s messiahship until he saw Him raised from the dead and then went on to be martyred rather than deny Christ.

[EmmaGodLovesTruth]

I don’t think Mary sleeping with her husband after Jesus was born and having more children makes her any less important.. I am very interested by catholicism and do believe it is the most holy and respectful church.
I guess we all will have slight disagreements as humans.

[jasonart]

No she was a virgin before during and after her only son jesus.

[ShannonSmithu]

Super sad that you prefer to say the scripture is incorrect instead of your made up traditions. She was not born of immaculate conception, she was a blessed young woman and nothing more. Jesus is the one to worship. Why does He call her "woman"?

[pkphilips]

You are directly contradicting the Bible itself. This verse from Matthew 1 states clearly that Joseph did have sexual relationship with Mary after the birth of Christ. *Matthew 1: 24* Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 *and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son*. And he called His name Jesus.