Did Jesus Have Brothers and Sisters?

I am a non-Muslim and interested in reading about your religion. I read that there are references in the Old and New Testaments that suggest that Jesus had brothers and sisters. We often find this quote "brothers of Jesus" and "sister of Jesus." What does Islam say about this? What is the use of the word 'brother' in reference to Jesus in both the Old and New Testaments?

Salam, Irene.

Thank you for your question and for wanting to know more about Islam. It is by knowing more about each other that people in the world can dispel those misconceptions which cause trouble.

It is a sad fact of life that we often fear that which we do not fully understand. Knowing more about Islam is also a sure way of seeing how beautiful it really is, and far different from the distorted images we see on television or in the press.

You are right that in the Christian Bible there are several references to Jesus (peace be upon him) having brothers. The Gospel written by Matthew, for example, says

"Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?" (Matt 13:55, New International Version).

In Luke's Gospel we read,

"Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd." (Luke 8:19, New International Version)

In John's Gospel we find this:

"But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even his own brothers did not believe in him." (John 7:2-5, New International Version)

Matthew's Gospel even mentions sisters:

"Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" (Matt 13:56, New International Version)

There are other references, too. You might want to look at them in Matthew 12:46, Mark 3:31, Acts 1:14 and Galatians 1:19.