Bible 101

Lesson 6: Archaeological Proof: Are the Stories we read about in the NT true?

James, the Brother of Jesus

While some believers dismiss the fact that Mary and Joseph had children together, the Bible is very clear that Mary remained a virgin until after the birth of her first son, Jesus, yet thereafter they consummated their marriage and Jesus grew up with a house full of siblings. James himself is named in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3, along with three other brothers Joseph [or "Joses"], Simon and Judas [Jude], and at least three unnamed sisters, who are referred to in Matthew 13:56, "Aren't all his sisters with us?".

James is noted to not have been a disciple of Jesus until after the latter’s death (Acts 1:14) in 30 AD. In 61 AD James was executed at the instigation of the high priest Ananus. Evidence of James’ execution and the circumstances leading up to it, can be found in the writings of Flavius Josephus:

“Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the Sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned...” (The Writings of Flavius Josephus; Antiquities of the Jews: Book 20 - Chapter 9) (4)

Congratulations! You have now finished the sixth lesson of Bible 101, and are now able to harmonize the scriptures of the NT manuscripts with actual archaeological discoveries. Why not test your knowledge now by doing the Lesson 6 Knowledge Quiz?

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