“Is he not the…brother of James”
Why does the Bible say that Jesus had brothers and sisters? Jesus did not have any biological brothers or sisters. Mary is and will always be “ever-virgin”. The reason that the Bible uses the words “brothers” and “sisters” is simply because of the translation from the Greek and Hebrew languages. Regarding this passage, the Catechism says that they are more likely “Jesus’ cousins or more distant relative.” [1]
In fact, there are many other places in the Bible where the words “brothers” and “sisters” are used when we clearly know that there is no biological relationship between the people. “The NT often mentions Jesus’ brethren (13:55; Mk. 3:31; 6:3; Lk. 8:19; Jn. 2:12; 7:3; Acts. 1:14; Gal. 1:19)…Four observations support the Church’s tradition: (1) These brethren are never called the children of Mary, although Jesus himself is (Jn. 2:1; 19:25; Acts. 1:14). (2) Two names mentioned, James and Joseph, are sons of a different ‘Mary’ in Mt. 27:56 (Mk. 15:40). (3) It is unlikely that Jesus would entrust his Mother to the Apostle John at his Crucifixion if she had other natural sons to care for her (Jn. 19:26-27). (4) The word ‘brethren’ (Gk. Adelphoi) has a broader meaning than blood brothers. Since ancient Hebrew had no word for ‘cousin’, it was customary to use ‘brethren’ in the Bible for relationships other than blood brothers. In the Greek OT, a ‘brother’ can be nearly related cousin (1 Chron. 23:21-22), a more remote kinsman (Deut 23:7; 2 Kings 10:13-14), an uncle or a nephew (Gen. 13:8), or the relation between men bound by covenant (2 Sam 1:26; cf. 1 Sam 18:3). Continuing this OT tradition, the NT often uses ‘brother’ or ‘brethren’ in this wider sense. Paul uses it as a synonym for his Israelite kinsmen in Rom. 9:3. It also denotes biologically unrelated Christians in the New Covenant family of God (Rom. 8:29; 12:1; Col. 1:2; Heb. 2:11; Jas. 1:2; CCC 500).” [2]
All that being said, this does not mean that we as the Church are not his brothers and sisters. “The Church thus confesses that Jesus is inseparably true God and true man. He is truly the Son of God who, without ceasing to be God and Lord, became a man and our brother…” [3] On the cross, Jesus gave His mother to us as our spiritual mother. (cf. Jn. 19:26-27)) “The Son whom she brought forth is he whom God placed as the first-born among many brethren, that is, the faithful in whose generation and formulation she cooperates with a mother’s love.” [4] St. Paul speaks of Christ as the first-born raised from the dead so that we can truly call Him our brother. (cf. Rom. 8:28-30)
How can we call ourselves “brothers and sisters in Christ”? We can call ourselves brothers and sisters in Christ by our Baptism. “All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church.” [5] Because we are united with Christ by our Baptism we dare to say “Our Father”. We say these words because the Father and Son are one and we are united with the Son by our Baptism. As St. Paul says, through our Baptism we die and rise again. Thus, if we are united with Jesus through our Baptism, “In communion by faith in Christ and by Baptism, they ought to join in Jesus’ prayer for the unity of his disciples.” [6]
What is our responsibility as brethren of Jesus? As spiritual brothers and sisters of Christ by our Baptism, we are called to follow Jesus. Jesus said, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Mt. 12:49) Jesus spoke many times about loving our neighbor (cf. Mk. 12:31) and St. Paul spoke of not condemning each other when we are brothers and sisters in Christ (cf. Rm. 14:10). This is because we must act as Christ acts. He is the “older brother” that we look up to and strive to emulate. He teaches us how to pray, how to act, how to live, and how to love. He also shows that by our Baptism we are all united with Him. When we hurt one of our brothers we hurt Christ. (cf. Mt. 25:45) We must work for the kingdom of God everyday by bringing peace to every person no matter their race, creed, gender, or age. We can do this because Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. “When his visible presence was taken from them, Jesus did not leave his disciples orphans. He promised to remain with them until the end of time; he sent them his Spirit. As a result communion with Jesus has become, in a way, more intense: ‘By communicating his Spirit, Christ mystically constitutes as his body those brothers of his who are called together from every nation.’” [7]
[1] CCC 500
[2] Ignatius Study Bible Mt. 12:46
[3] CCC 469
[4] CCC 501
[5] CCC 818
[6] CCC 2791
[7] CCC 788