Why do we not have any testimonials on Jesus by his brothers?

Answer 1

A:Testimonials by the brothers of Jesus would be extremely useful if we wish to resolve any doubts about the reliability of the gospels attributed to the apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We would not expect them to contain details about the miracles and teachings of Jesus, since the gospels say the brothers were not with Jesus during his mission, but they would verify the basis facts. However, the only certain information we have that Jesus had brothers is contained in the gospels themselves.

In his epistles Paul does refer to James, brother of Jesus, but in circumstances where the term 'brother of Jesus' could be a title for the leader of the Jerusalem Church, much as some clergy even today are sometimes called 'Father' or 'Brother'. Paul seems not to have realised that Jesus had lived and died in Palestime in the quite recent past. The author of the Epistle of James does give us his name but does not tell us that he was either the brother or a disciple of Jesus.

There is no convincing proof that Jesus had brothers, other than the gospel references, and if the gospels are in doubt so too is the existence of Jesus of Nazareth in first-century Palestine.