Expert: Dean Gade - 7/10/2006

Question
What is the general belief of biblical scholars re the possibility of Christ having blood brothers and sisters. Reading some gospel passages suggests that he did in fact have natural kin. I have heard that in fact this is an error in translation and the reference is to cousins.

Answer
Most believe in the possibility.  Those who beleive in the "perpetual virginity" of Jesus' mother, Mary teach that the word translated brothers also means cousins.

The Greek word used in the New Testament is always   αδελφόσ  (adelphos) or the plural, adelphoi = brethern/brothers.

We use this word in English..the best known is concerning the city Phil adelphia   (philos = love  adelphos = brother...thus "city of brotherly love".)