Joses (or Joseph) was one of Jesus' brothers and a son of Mary.
Joses, also known as Joseph, was one of the brothers of Jesus Christ and a son of Mary. He is mentioned by name in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew. In Mrk.6.3 and Mat.13.55, Joses/Joseph is listed along with James, Judas (or Jude), and Simon as Jesus' brothers. He was likely born after Jesus, as Jesus is referred to as Mary's firstborn (Luk.2.7).
Who are the brothers of Jesus?
FamilyDebatedMark names James, Joses, Simon, and Jude as brothers of Jesus. Protestants usually hold they were younger half-siblings, Catholic and Orthodox traditions (Hieronymian and Epiphanian views) hold they were cousins or Joseph's sons from an earlier marriage.
Ways people read this (3)
- Half-brothers, sons of Joseph and Mary (Helvidius; most Protestants).
- Step-brothers, sons of Joseph from an earlier marriage (Epiphanius; Eastern tradition).
- Cousins (Jerome).
Read more: Grokipedia: James, brother of Jesus (AI-written, unreviewed) ↗
Sources: Scripture
Jesus' "brothers" James, Joses, Simon and Judas
FamilyStated in the textMark and Matthew say the people of Nazareth called Jesus the son of Mary and named four "brothers" (adelphoi). The word can mean full or half brothers, or another relative, which is the core of the traditional debate.
Where the text shows it: Mark 6:3 — Brothers named, and sisters.Matthew 13:55 — James, Joseph, Simon and Judas.John 7:3-5 — His brothers did not believe.Acts 1:14 — Brothers with Mary among the believers. Ways people read this (1)
- The Greek adelphos is normally "brother" but is also used more broadly.
Sources: Mark 6:3 · Matthew 13:55
The Hieronymian view: the brothers as cousins
FamilyChurch traditionJerome argued that the four "brothers" were Jesus' cousins, sons of Mary of Clopas, whom he took to be Mary's sister or relative. He held that Mary remained a virgin. This became the standard view in the Latin church.
Ways people read this (4)
- Hieronymian: cousins via Mary of Clopas.
- Helvidian: younger children of Mary and Joseph.
- Epiphanian: children of Joseph from an earlier marriage.
- Key counter-point: Mark 15:40 names Mary as mother of James and Joses separately from Mary the mother of Jesus.
Sources: Jerome, Against Helvidius (c. AD 383) · Jerome, Commentary on Galatians (c. AD 386)
The Epiphanian view: sons of Joseph by an earlier marriage
FamilyChurch traditionEpiphanius and much of the eastern church held that the brothers were Joseph's children from a prior marriage, which preserves Mary's perpetual virginity. Its early source is the second-century Protoevangelium of James.
Where the text shows it: Matthew 13:55 — Brothers named.John 19:26-27 — Jesus entrusts Mary to the beloved disciple, not to brothers. Ways people read this (2)
- Joseph's age and absence from the Gospels after Luke 2 are often cited in support.
- No text mentions an earlier marriage.
Sources: Epiphanius, Panarion (c. AD 375) · Protoevangelium of James (2nd c.) · Origen, Commentary on Matthew (3rd c.)
The Helvidian view: younger children of Mary and Joseph
FamilyDebatedThis reads the brothers as sons of Mary and Joseph after Jesus. Helvidius argued from the plain sense of "brothers" and Jesus as "firstborn"; Jerome wrote against him. Many Protestant scholars hold it today.
Where the text shows it: Luke 2:7 — Mary's firstborn son.Matthew 1:25 — Joseph did not know her until she bore a son.Mark 6:3 — Brothers and sisters named. Ways people read this (3)
- Plain reading of adelphos and the "firstborn" phrase.
- Against: perpetual virginity held by the early church, and Jesus entrusting Mary to John at the cross.
- "Until" in Matthew 1:25 does not settle what followed.
Sources: Jerome, Against Helvidius (c. AD 383) · Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ (early 3rd c.)
Two Joses in the record
FamilyDebatedMark lists a Joses among Jesus' brothers (Matthew: Joseph) and names another Joses as son of Mary at the cross. Whether these are the same person depends on the Hieronymian reading.
Where the text shows it: Mark 6:3 — Joses among the brothers.Mark 15:40 — Mary the mother of James the less and Joses. Ways people read this (2)
- Same: the Hieronymian view makes Mary of Clopas mother of the "brothers".
- Different: the two Joses are separate people with a common name.
Sources: Mark 6:3 · Mark 15:40
The Lord's brothers are distinguished from the Twelve
RoleWidely acceptedJohn says his brothers did not believe during the ministry, and Acts lists the brothers with Mary separately from the apostles. Both point against simply counting the brothers among the Twelve.
Where the text shows it: John 7:5 — His brothers did not believe.Acts 1:13-14 — The Eleven, then Mary and his brothers.1 Corinthians 9:5 — Apostles, brothers of the Lord and Cephas listed separately. Ways people read this (1)
- Hieronymian view answers that the brothers James and Jude were among the Twelve but not believing at this time.
Sources: John 7:5 · Acts 1:13-14 · 1 Corinthians 9:5
2 verses in 2 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G2500