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Other Scripture verses which specifically refer to Jesus' brothers are: Matthew 12:46; John 2:12; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; and Galatians 1:19.
I was always taught that "brothers" and "sisters" were general terms that really could refer to any kind of kinsman, including cousins. This is true in the Hebrew language.
However, the * text missing from manuscript - will update later*, which is an extremely precise language. It makes a clear distinction between the words used to describe family relationships. There is a Greek word which refers to people who are relatives but not of the immediate family, such as aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins. There are other Greek words which refer specifically to a person's brother or sister within a family.[20]
MOTHER OF GOD — According to Catholic doctrine, because she is the mother of Jesus, and Jesus is God, therefore Mary is the Mother of God. [21]
The Incarnation means that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. Mary was only the mother of Jesus as man, and not the mother of Jesus as God. According to the Bible, the world was created through Jesus. The Bible says,
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1:1-2, emphasis added)
"For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things [including Mary] were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things [including Mary], and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1:16-17, emphasis added)
"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58)
Jesus existed before Abraham was born. That means that He also existed before Mary was born. Jesus said,
"And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." (John 17:5, emphasis added).
So Jesus existed even before the world began. Jesus came first—not Mary. ...
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