The answer
The Lord has brothers and sisters too. There are two views regarding our Lord's brothers and sisters: one says that they are Joseph's sons and the other that they are his cousins. In the Holy Bible the term brothers or sisters could refer to brothers by blood or nationality or close cousins or close friendship. Abraham calls his nephew Lot 'brother' (Gen 13:8) and Laban used the same term to refer to his son in law (Gen 29:15). The Jews used to call their uncles, aunts and first cousins 'brothers and sisters' and it was common for them to live under the same roof. St. Jerome says that the brothers of the Lord are the sons of St. Mary the wife of Cleopas, the sister of Holy St. Mary (Jn 19:25).Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)