Learn by Topic: brethren

In today’s Gospel from the Mass (Mark 3:31-35), many people mistakenly think that the Scriptures refer to blood brothers of Jesus and that Mary bore children after the virgin birth of Jesus.

[31]  And his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him.  [32] And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you.”  [33] And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”  [34] And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!  [35] Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Confusion about this passage is based on ignorance of ancient Jewish culture, the Hebrew and Greek languages and the Church Magisterium.   (more…)