Problem: Roman Catholicism teaches that Mary was a perpetual virgin, that is, that she never had sexual intercourse, even after Jesus was virgin born. Is it true that when the Bible refers to Jesus’ “brothers and sisters” (Matt. 13:56) it means cousins or close relatives?

Solution: It is true that the words for brother and sister can mean close relative. This must be determined by the context and from other Scriptures. And in the case of Jesus’ brothers and sisters, the context indicates they were his real half brothers and sisters.

First, nowhere does the Bible affirm the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity. Like the Roman Catholic doctrine of Mary’s sinlessness

Expanded from Luke 1:46:
Luke 1:46
—Was Mary born sinless as Roman Catholics claim?
Problem:
Roman Catholics claim that Mary the mother of Jesus was immaculately conceived (i.e., conceived without sin). However, with the exception of Christ, the Bible asserts that every human being is born in sin (
Ps. 51:5
;
Rom. 5:12
). Was Mary immaculately conceived?
Solution:
Mary the mother of Jesus was the most blessed among women (see comments on
Luke 1:28ff
). However, she was not sinless, and the Bible makes this clear in many ways. First, David declared for all human beings, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (
Ps. 51:5
).
Second, Paul affirmed that every human born of natural parents since Adam’s time sinned in Adam, for “through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned [in Adam]” (
Rom. 5:12
).
Third, there is absolutely no trace anywhere in the Bible that Mary was an exception to the rule that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (
Rom. 3:23
). In Christ’s case, however, it points out repeatedly that He was human, yet without sin (
2 Cor. 5:21
;
Heb. 4:15
;
1 Peter 3:18
;
1 John 3:3
).
Finally, Mary proclaimed her own sinfulness when she confessed, “my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (
Luke 1:46
). Like everyone else, Mary too needed a Savior.

, there is no statement anywhere in the Bible that supports this teaching.

Second, when “brothers and sisters” are used in connection with father or mother, then it does not mean cousins, but actual blood brothers and sisters (cf. Luke 14:26). Such is the case with Jesus’ brothers and sisters. Matthew 13:55 says, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?” (cf. Mark 6:3)

Third, there are other references in the Bible to Jesus’ “brothers.” John informs us that “even His brothers did not believe in Him” (John 7:5). And Paul speaks of “James, the Lord’s brother” (Gal. 1:19). On another occasion Mark refers to “His [Jesus’] brothers and His mother” (Mark 3:31). John spoke of “His mother, His brothers, and His disciples” (John 2:12). Luke mentions “Mary the mother of Jesus, with His brothers” being in the Upper Room (Acts 1:14).