Jesus’ relationship with His brothers, as revealed in the Gospels, was complex and deeply human. Though He grew up with James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, His brothers didn’t believe in His identity as the Messiah during His earthly ministry. In fact, they doubted Him, tried to intervene in His public work, and even thought He was out of His mind. These moments show that even those closest to Jesus struggled to understand who He really was—a reminder that proximity to faith doesn’t guarantee belief.
But everything changed after the resurrection. Jesus appeared personally to James, and His brothers went from skeptics to central figures in the early church. James and Jude even authored books of the New Testament. Their transformation highlights God’s patience, the power of personal revelation, and the truth that no one is beyond redemption. If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, family tension, or feeling late to faith—keep reading. You’ll see how Jesus’ own story with His family can speak directly to yours.
When most people think about Jesus’ family, they think of Mary and Joseph. But the Gospels also mention His brothers—and understanding His relationship with them can tell you a lot about His earthly life, how His ministry was received, and even what it means to follow Him today.
Let’s break this down clearly and directly.
Who Were Jesus’ Brothers?
The Gospels mention Jesus’ brothers several times. Here’s a key verse:
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?”
—Matthew 13:55 (NIV)
According to this, Jesus had four brothers:
- James
- Joseph (also called Joses)
- Simon
- Judas (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot)
The text also mentions sisters in the next verse (Matthew 13:56), but they aren’t named. These references are plain and direct, but they’ve sparked debate for centuries. Some Christian traditions (especially Roman Catholicism) interpret “brothers” as cousins or close relatives due to beliefs about Mary’s perpetual virginity. However, the most straightforward reading of the Greek word adelphoi means biological siblings.
1. His Brothers Didn’t Believe in Him—At First
One of the most surprising things the Gospels reveal is that Jesus’ own brothers didn’t initially believe He was the Messiah.
“For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”
—John 7:5 (NIV)
Think about that. They grew up with Him, saw how He lived, and still didn’t believe. In John 7, they sarcastically tell Him to go to Judea and show Himself to the world, almost mocking Him. This tells us a few things:
- Jesus didn’t force belief—even in His family.
- His divine identity wasn’t obvious to those closest to Him, at least not at first.
- Being near Jesus physically isn’t the same as knowing Him spiritually.
This rejection would have been painful. If you’ve ever tried to share your faith with family who doesn’t get it, Jesus gets that feeling.
2. They Tried to Stop His Ministry
In Mark 3, something even more dramatic happens:
“When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’”
—Mark 3:21 (NIV)
His family thought He was losing it.
They weren’t just skeptical—they tried to intervene. From their perspective, Jesus was attracting huge crowds, making bold claims, and upsetting religious leaders. They probably feared for His safety or the family’s reputation.
Later in the same chapter, we read this:
“Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.”
—Mark 3:31 (NIV)
But Jesus uses the moment to make a bold point:
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
—Mark 3:33–35 (NIV)
This wasn’t a rejection of His biological family. It was a teaching moment. Jesus was redefining what true family means—not by blood, but by faith and obedience to God.
3. Something Changed After the Resurrection
So how did His skeptical brothers become key leaders in the early Church?
The turning point came after the resurrection. Paul tells us:
“Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.”
—1 Corinthians 15:7 (NIV)
Jesus made a personal appearance to His brother James after He rose from the dead. That encounter changed everything.
James went from an unbelieving brother to a pillar of the church in Jerusalem (Galatians 1:19). He even wrote the New Testament letter of James, which begins:
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…”
—James 1:1 (NIV)
Notice how he doesn’t call himself “Jesus’ brother.” That humility says a lot. James recognized Jesus as Lord, not just as family.
Jude (another brother) also wrote a New Testament letter and introduced himself the same way:
“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James…”
—Jude 1:1 (NIV)
Again, no name-dropping. Just submission to Jesus as Lord.
4. Jesus Modeled Healthy Boundaries and Eternal Priorities
When you look at Jesus’ interactions with His brothers, you see a consistent pattern:
- He loved them, but He didn’t cater to them.
- He wasn’t controlled by family expectations.
- He prioritized His Father’s will over family comfort.
This is critical to understand. Jesus wasn’t rude or dismissive—but He showed us it’s okay to set boundaries, even with family, when God’s calling comes first.
5. Jesus’ Family Became Part of the Early Church
By Acts 1, after Jesus’ ascension, things look very different:
“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”
—Acts 1:14 (NIV)
Now they’re fully in. They’re part of the movement. They’re praying, waiting for the Holy Spirit, and helping launch the early church.
6. What This Means for You Today
Here’s why all this matters.
• Your past skepticism doesn’t disqualify you.
Jesus’ own brothers didn’t believe at first—but they came around. It’s never too late to believe or lead.
• Faith doesn’t always start in your family.
You might be the only believer in your house. Jesus knows what that’s like. Stay faithful.
• Being close to Jesus physically isn’t enough.
You can attend church, know all the right lingo, and still miss who He is—like His brothers initially did. What matters is truly knowing and trusting Him.
• God can use your story for His glory.
James and Jude went from doubters to writers of Scripture. Your testimony—even if it starts with unbelief—can become powerful.
Final Thoughts
The Gospels reveal a very human side to Jesus’ life: He had siblings. They didn’t understand Him. They tried to stop Him. But eventually, they believed and helped change the world.
Jesus’ relationship with His brothers shows that real faith often grows slowly. It’s not always obvious, even in families. But God’s grace is patient, and His purpose is unstoppable.
So if you’ve struggled with family tension over faith—or if you’ve ever doubted Jesus yourself—take heart. You’re in good company. And like James and Jude, your story’s not over yet.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus had at least four brothers and some sisters (Matthew 13:55–56).
- His brothers didn’t believe in Him during His ministry (John 7:5).
- They thought He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21).
- After the resurrection, they became faithful followers and church leaders (Acts 1:14, Galatians 1:19).
- Two of His brothers—James and Jude—wrote books of the Bible.
- Jesus shows us how to navigate family challenges with faith, truth, and love.
Let their transformation encourage yours.
10 FAQs About What the Gospels Reveal About Jesus’ Relationship with His Brothers
1. Did Jesus really have brothers?
Yes, according to the Gospels, Jesus had four brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55). He also had sisters, though they aren’t named.
2. What was Jesus’ relationship with His brothers like during His ministry?
At first, it was strained. His brothers didn’t believe in Him and even mocked Him (John 7:5). They thought He was out of His mind and tried to stop Him from teaching publicly (Mark 3:21).
3. Did Jesus reject His family?
No, but He made it clear that spiritual family—those who do God’s will—are His true family (Mark 3:33–35). He showed love to His biological family, but He prioritized His mission.
4. Did any of Jesus’ brothers become Christians?
Yes. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7), and both James and Jude became key leaders in the early Church. They also wrote the biblical books of James and Jude.
5. Why didn’t His brothers believe in Him sooner?
Scripture doesn’t give a full explanation, but their doubt likely came from familiarity—growing up with Jesus made it hard for them to see Him as the Messiah (John 7:5). Their story reflects how even close proximity to truth doesn’t guarantee faith.
6. What changed their minds?
The resurrection. Jesus personally appeared to James after rising from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:7), which likely led to his transformation from skeptic to devoted follower.
7. Was James, the brother of Jesus, a leader in the Church?
Yes. James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Galatians 1:19, Acts 15), showing strong faith and wisdom in leading early Christians.
8. How does Jesus’ relationship with His brothers relate to us today?
It shows that faith can take time to grow, even within families. It encourages those dealing with unbelieving loved ones or their own doubts to stay hopeful—transformation is always possible.
9. Did Jesus talk about family often?
Yes. Jesus often redefined family as those who follow God’s will. He used moments with His biological family to teach spiritual truths about loyalty, obedience, and community (Mark 3:35).
10. What’s the main takeaway from Jesus’ relationship with His brothers?
That faith isn’t inherited—it’s personal. Even Jesus’ family had to come to faith on their own, and when they did, God used them powerfully. Their journey encourages us to be patient with ourselves and others.
