(walking4him;44567)
I know that Jesus was born of a virgin, but did she remain one after Jesus was born? I ask because I've heard many theories about Jesus having brother(s) and/or sister(s).
There are numerous verses in the Bible that mention Jesus' brothers and sisters. Matthew 13:55 Matthew 27:56 Mark 3:31 Mark 6:3 Mark 15:40 Mark 16:1 Galatians 1:19Look particularly at Gal 1:19 where Paul says "I saw none of the other apostles, only James, the Lord's brother." There is no way that reference can be taken any other way than how it was said. If Jesus only had step-brothers and sisters because of Joseph's marriage to another woman, I do not think that Paul would have referred to James as such. Also, if Joseph had other children to woman prior to his marriage with Mary, why is this not mentioned in the ealy chapters of the gospels, when talking about the birth accounts. Joseph takes Mary to Bethlehem because of a census. If he had other children they also would have accompanied Joseph, yet there is no mention of them in those accounts.Also when talking about Mary and Joseph before the birth of Jesus the Bible tells us that "But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son." Mat 2:25 Now you can try to say that it does not say he had union with her afterwards - but it would be a pretty weak position to take and who would be convinced by it? Assuming though - for arguments sake - that these brothers and sisters were from Joseph and other women, or merely cousins, etc, and that Mary did not have any other children, then there is still no evidence that she remained a virgin. You can be childless without being a virgin. It is also unbiblical for a husband and wife to deny each other sexually (1 Cor 7:4-5). The perpetual virgin idea began sometime before AD 383. It is known that a tract defending this idea and dating to that year was found.