Freethought & Rationalism Archive

douglas · 11-14-2006, 02:16 PM

I was reading a Catholic discussion forum regarding the Catholic belief that Jesus was an only child. They used this passage from John 19...

Quote:

So the soldiers did these things, 25but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

The claim was that it was Jewish tradition for another sibling to take "charge" of their mother. If no sibling exists, then the responsibility falls to a trusted friend. So, this passage is taken as proof that Joseph nor Mary had any children other than Jesus. Any other references to a brother of Jesus is essentially a misinterpretation of the word "brother."

Did such a Jewish custom exist?

pharoah · 11-14-2006, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by douglas

The claim was that it was Jewish tradition for another sibling to take "charge" of their mother. If no sibling exists, then the responsibility falls to a trusted friend. So, this passage is taken as proof that Joseph nor Mary had any children other than Jesus. Any other references to a brother of Jesus is essentially a misinterpretation of the word "brother."

Did such a Jewish custom exist?

I don't know whether such a custom existed or not, although it seems intuitively probable, but even if it did it's meager help for Catholic tradition. They'd still have to:

1) Show that something happened to Joseph to make this even necessary.

2) Explain why it's not possible that Jesus could have siblings who for one reason or another couldn't or wouldn't assume the responsibility for Mary because of death, dire poverty, irresponsibility, military service, etc.

3) From a skeptical point of view, very little in GJohn can be taken at face value, especially any words attributed to Jesus.

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