A caller named Marianne asked Patrick Madrid how to explain to her evangelical son-in-law that Mary remained a virgin her whole life, especially since he believes the Bible says Jesus had brothers in the literal sense.
The Teaching in a Nutshell
Catholic dogma says Mary was a virgin before the conception of Jesus, during His birth, and after His birth for the rest of her life. Jesus was her only child. This belief isn’t just Catholic tradition; Patrick argues it’s what the Bible itself supports when understood correctly.
The ‘Brothers of Jesus’ Problem
Many Protestants point to verses like:
Matthew 13:55 - “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?”
Mark 6:3 - Similar listing of “brothers” of the Lord.
Patrick explains:
In the Bible, “brother” (adelphos in Greek) has a wide range of meanings. It can mean biological brother, but also cousin, nephew, or even close family friend.
Example: In Genesis 14:14, Lot is called Abraham’s “brother”, but we know from other passages that Lot was actually Abraham’s nephew.
The Famous “Until” Verse
Critics love to quote Matthew 1:25: “[Joseph] had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son.”
-Some assume “until” means they started relations afterward.
-But in biblical usage, “until” (heōs in Greek) does not mean a change afterward.
-Patrick’s analogy: “Grandma didn’t take her medicine until she died.” That doesn’t mean she took it after!
The ‘Firstborn’ Title
Luke 2:7 calls Jesus Mary’s “firstborn.” Skeptics think that means there must have been a “second-born.”
Not so! In Jewish law, firstborn is a legal term for the child who opens the womb, whether or not more children follow.
Even an only child is still the “firstborn” in biblical and legal language.
A Cross-Shaped Clue
At the crucifixion (John 19:26-27), Jesus entrusted His mother to John, not to one of His “brothers.”
If Mary had other biological sons, this would have been unthinkable in Jewish culture; her care would automatically go to them.
The fact that Jesus chose John is silent but strong proof that Mary had no other children.
The Early Church’s United Voice
From the very beginning, Christians, including those who personally knew the Apostles, unanimously affirmed Mary’s perpetual virginity.
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