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MARY NO LONGER A VIRGIN
A large number of people who observe Christmas believe that Mary the mother of Jesus was forever a virgin: that is that Mary never had sexual relations with a man. We have never met a person who believes in the perpetual virginity of Mary who did not celebrate Christmas so we think there is a connection between the two. But that is another matter. First of all, sexual relations between a man and his wife (a woman) are not sinful. We will not enter into citing proof for that since it is not our aim to prove that fact. Our purpose is to show that the Bible teaches that Joseph and Mary had sexual relations that resulted in at least seven children being born to them. First of all consider these words: “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS,” (Matthew 1:24-25). These easily understood words present no problem to the reader. Joseph took Mary, who was with child by the Holy Spirit, as his wife. She was publicly recognized as being married to him. With regards to Joseph and Mary having sexual relations, the key word here is the little word “till” or until. Although Joseph and Mary lived together prior to the birth of Jesus, Joseph “knew her not” (did not have sexual relations with her) until – did you get that – until Jesus was born. This statement says conversely that Joseph did have sexual relations with Mary after Jesus was born, but not “till” He was born. Honesty demands that we understand that fact for it is stated in God's Word. Second consider this: Jesus astonished His neighbors by His teaching and they said, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?” (Matthew 13:55-56). Four men's names are given to us and stated to be the “brethren” of Jesus. The Greek word for “brethren” is “adelphos” and indeed does mean brother or brothers. So then Jesus had four brothers. Notice also the phrase “his sisters, are they not all with us?” If Jesus had only one sister, the verse would have said, “His sister, is she not with us?” If He had two sisters the verse would have said, “His sisters, are they not both with us?” If He had three or more sisters the verse would have said, “His sisters, are they not all with us?” And that is exactly what the verse says! So Jesus had four brothers and at least three sisters – perhaps more than three. Honesty demands that we say, according to the Bible, Jesus had at least seven brothers and sisters. Mary was a virgin at the birth of her firstborn, but she did not remain so and those who teach otherwise contradict the Word of God by their teaching.
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