The Unbelief of Jesus' Own Family

Unbelief in Matthew, Mark and Luke:

Today we come to the last two in our study of all the Greek words meaning faith, believe, faithless, unbelief, etc., found in Matthew, Mark and Luke: 1) apistia, (Smith’s # G570) always translated “unbelief,” found 5 times in Matthew and Mark and 2) apistos, # G571) usually translated that believe not but sometimes as unbelieving, faithless, etc., found once in Matthew, once in Mark and twice in Luke. I find, however, that we’ve already studied all the passages/ incidents in which these two words are found when we studied the other words that have to do with faith and believe, etc., that is, except for one incident. And that one will be the subject of today’s study. The Greek word “apistia” is used in an incident recorded in both Matthew 13:54 - 5854 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

and Mark 6:1 - 61 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

documenting the unbelief of the people around whom Jesus grew up, including His own family.

Matthew records: “And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 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? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Matthew 13:54 - 58. Mark notes in his narrative; “And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.” Mark 6:66 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

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Those in the community in which Jesus grew up knew Him only after the flesh, they saw him daily as “the carpenter’s son.” How would they know He was of virgin birth, and literally the Son of God? Jesus uttered the truism that a prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown “and in His own house,” which refers to those living within it. (Matthew 13:5757 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

). Jesus was raised by Joseph and Mary with his half brothers and sisters and lived in their house until He was “about to be 30 years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,...” Luke 3:2323 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

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Then came John the Baptist who was commissioned and sent by God to make manifest (introduce) Jesus Christ to Israel, John 1:3131 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

. Israelites were to be baptized by John’s baptism, confessing/repenting their sins because the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, Matthew 3:1 & 21 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

; Mark 1:4 & 54 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

; Luke 3:3 & 43 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

. Jesus was anointed as Israel’s Messiah when John the Baptist baptized Him “to fulfill all righteousness.” It was then that the Spirit of God descended upon Him and God the Father said “this is my beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.” But whereas it was the Israelites’ sins that brought them to John’s baptism, it was Jesus Christ’s righteousness that brought Him there; He submitted to it in order to fulfill all righteousness, Matthew 3:13 - 1713 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

; Mark 1:9 - 119 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

; Luke 3:21 - 2321 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

; John 1:29 - 3429 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

. And so it was when He was “about 30 years of age” that Jesus stepped out of His role in the household of Joseph, Mary and their other children and began His 3 year ministry to Israel (it’s unknown when Joseph died, he may have passed away by this time).

The Psalmist foretold that Jesus’ own family would not understand and would turn against Him: “I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.” Psalms 69:88 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

. The Gospel of John plainly states that Jesus’ brothers in the flesh did not believe in Him: “For neither did his brethren believe in him.” John 7:55 For neither did his brethren believe in him.

. Further evidence is found in the Gospel of Mark: “... and they went into an house. And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.” Mark 3:1919 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

b - 21. George Williams, in his “Student’s Commentary (pg 732) states that “His friends” here were His mother and brothers as evidenced later in this same chapter: “There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” Mark 3:31 - 3531 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

. (This incident is also recorded in Matthew 12:4646 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

-50 and Luke 8:19 - 2119 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

.) (Various commentaries give different opinions as to why Mary and her other sons stood without. But while some indicate they were concerned for His safety and wanted to take Him home George Williams commentary (pg 710) states that the fact they “stood without,” Matthew 12:46, means they had come to capture and confine Him.)

But we find that although Mary and Jesus’ half brothers did not believe in Him as Christ, the Son of God at first, they did come to do so as evidenced after His resurrection, 40 days on earth and ascension into heaven: “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” Acts 1:13 & 1413 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

. As to Jesus’ half brother James, there is ample evidence he became a staunch believer. Most commentators agree that after Jesus Christ ascended into heaven it was probably James who became the prominent figure in the Jewish church at Jerusalem. (Note here that the James of the 12 Apostles, mentioned in the Gospels as being in the inter circle with Peter and John, was the first Apostle documented as being martyred, Acts 12:22 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

.) As the book of Acts narrative progresses we find James, the Lord’s half brother is actually mentioned more than the Apostle Peter, this being the time the Jewish church at Jerusalem fades and dies away, Acts 12:1717 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

; 15:13; 21:18.

While defending his apostleship, the Apostle Paul refers to Jesus’ half brothers: “Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 1 Corinthians 9:55 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

. He appears to reference James, the Lord’s half brother in 1 Corinthians 15:77 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

and he specifically makes reference to him in Galatians: “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.” Galatians 1:18 & 1918 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

. See also Galatians 2:99 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

. And, most commentators agree it was Jesus’ half brother James who wrote the book of James in our New Testaments.

We note that Jesus turned the care of His mother over to the Apostle John just before He died on the cross: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” John 19:25 - 2725 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

. This begs the question of why John was given to care for Mary and not her own son James? Here it should be noted that tradition has it that all the 12 Apostles of Christ except John, as well as James, the half brother of Christ, were martyred not too long after Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Jesus’ mother Mary would have only been around 48 years of age, possibly younger, at the time of His death so she could have outlived her son James, as well as all the apostles except John. Therefore, I conjecture that at least one reason Jesus entrusted his mother’s care to John could be that, in His foreknowledge, John would be the only one around to care for his mother until her death.

(After studying God’s Word and many commentaries extensively for this lesson I ran the phrase “what happened to James the half brother of Jesus” through Google, which returned a reference in Wikopedia that you may want to examine for yourselves: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_the_Just. It indicates he died in 62 or 69 AD. It is documented that the beloved Apostle John lived far past that and wrote the book of Revelation from the Isle of Patmos toward the end of his life.)