Brother

Brother (1.) In the natural and common sense (Matt 1:2; Luke 3:1, 19).

(2.) A near relation, a cousin (Gen 13:8; 14:16; Matt 12:46; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Gal 1:19).

(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Matt 5:47; Acts 3:22; Heb 7:5).

(4.) A disciple or follower (Matt 25:40; Heb 2:11, 12).

(5.) One of the same faith (Amos 1:9; Acts 9:30; 11:29; 1Cor 5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren.

(6.) A colleague in office (Ezra 3:2; 1Cor 1:1; 2Cor 1:1).

(7.) A fellow-man (Gen 9:5; 19:7; Matt 5:22, 23, 24; 7:5; Heb 2:17).

(8.) One beloved or closely united with another in affection (2Sam 1:26; Acts 6:3; 1Thess 5:1). Brethren of Jesus (Matt 1:25; 12:46, 50: Mark 3:31, 32; Gal 1:19; 1Cor 9:5, etc.) were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary. Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage, and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin's sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.