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Questions / Jesus

Did Mary have other children? What about the “brothers of Jesus”?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Dr. Brant Pitre

Video: The "Brothers" of Jesus: A Fresh Look at the Evidence | Dr. Brant Pitre, Catholic Productions, published Oct 10, 2016. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Catholics believe she didn’t: she’s honored as “Ever-virgin.” The “brothers” are read as close relatives. CCC 499

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

The Church confesses Mary’s real and perpetual virginity and calls her “Ever-virgin.” CCC 499

The Church has always read the Bible’s “brothers and sisters” of Jesus as not referring to other children of Mary. CCC 500

James and Joseph, called “brothers of Jesus,” are the sons of another Mary, a disciple of Christ. CCC 500

Our words

In the language of the time, “brother” covered cousins and close relatives. Christians have read it that way since the early centuries.

Next step: Mary: honored, not worshiped

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Sources on this page

How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs
  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 499, 500 (official text on vatican.va).

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