- Introduction:
-Jerome argued against Helvidius on three grounds: 1.) Joseph was only assumed to be the husband of Mary, 2.) The brothers of Jesus were actually cousins, and 3.) celibacy is morally superior to marriage.
-Many have upheld this teaching throughout history, both before and after the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther, Francis Turretin, and Richard Hooker were Protestants who believed Mary to be a perpetual virgin.
- Matthew 1:18:
- Matthew 1:24-25:
- Matthew 13:55-57 And Mark 6:3-4:
-The context of these passages indicates the meaning of "brothers and sisters" to be natural family. In Matthew 13:55-57 and Mark 6:3-4, the Greek word for sisters (i.e. adelphe) is used. That word is used in 1 Timothy 5:1-2 to mean natural sister born as to the same mother. The term used in various contexts suggests a natural familial relationship.
-If this was a reference to more distinct relatives, then why did Matthew and Mark not use the Greek word "suggenes" (Luke 1:36; Luke 1:58)? The absence of this term in Matthew 13:55-57 and Mark 6:3-4 could be seen as an indication that the authors intended to convey a more immediate family relationship.
-If this was a reference to more distinct relatives, then why did Matthew and Mark not use the Greek word "suggenes" (Luke 1:36; Luke 1:58)? The absence of this term in Matthew 13:55-57 and Mark 6:3-4 could be seen as an indication that the authors intended to convey a more immediate family relationship.
-The New Testament occupies a separate Greek word for cousin, which is "anepsios" (Colossians 4:10). The New Testament never denotes the term "brother" to mean anything other than a literal brother in the context of family relations. If the terms brother and sister are not to be taken literally, then why should we understand Mary being called the mother of Jesus in that same way?
- John's gospel records a fulfilled prophecy (John 2:15-17) from the Book of Psalms (Psalm 69:8-9):
- Jesus was Mary's firstborn, not only born (Luke 2:7):
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