Question:
Hi, I was wondering if you can tell me did Mary and Joseph have any children of their own after Jesus was born?
Answer:
Yes, Joseph and Mary did have children together after the birth of Jesus. Matthew 13:55,56 says, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?” Joseph and Mary had at least 4 sons, and we are not told the number of daughters, but it is plural, so they had more than one.
The sad thing is that Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him. John 7:3-5 says, “His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world. FOR NEITHER DID HIS BRETHREN BELIEVE IN HIM.”
Eventually, at least some of Jesus’ brothers got saved. Galatians 1:18,19 says, “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save JAMES THE LORD’S BROTHER.” This is thought to be the James whom God used to write the Book of James.
It also appears that the “Judas” mentioned above as one of the Lord’s brothers was the “Jude” whom God used to write the Book of Jude. Notice his great humility. He does not call himself “the Lord’s brother,” but “Jude, THE SERVANT of Jesus Christ, and BROTHER of James..” (Jude 1:1). Jude does not play upon his earthly relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ for power, prestige, or special favors. He recognizes that he is but a servant of God in the flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ.
James is also very humble about the relationship. James 1:1 says, “James, A SERVANT of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…”
That is a good lesson for us. James 4:10 tells us, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”