Q&A: Did Mary have children other than Jesus?

Question

Did Mary have children other than Jesus?

Answer

Matthew 1:24-25:

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

As related to your question, two points are exceedingly clear: Joseph took Mary as his wife but he knew her only after the birth of Jesus. In other words, it wasn't until after the birth of Jesus that their marriage was consummated.

Apparently Joseph and Mary were indeed husband and wife in every sense of the word. There are references to Jesus' siblings many years after his birth. Mark writes, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him" (Mark 6:3). Matthew 12:46 says, "While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him" (cf. John 2:12). So, Jesus had brothers and sisters.

As for James and Jude, please see "What is the Perpetual Virginity of Mary?" below.

While Mary was blessed by God to carry the Redeemer in her womb, she was also blessed to carry other children as well (cf. Psa. 127:3). It's safe to say the mother of the second and last man Adam (1 Cor. 15:45, 47) took seriously the command given to the first Adam to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28).