Two New Testament narratives also raise the issue of
Mary’s perpetual
virginity and the question of other children: (1) the
loss of Jesus in the
Temple when he was twelve years old, and (2) Jesus’
command to His
apostle John at the foot of the cross.
Had there been other siblings of Jesus when He was
twelve and left behind
in the Temple, might not some mention be made of them?
There is not
the slightest inkling of other brothers or sisters. It
would seem humanly
reasonable that mention would be made of them during
the search for Jesus
(only “they sought among their kinsfolk and
acquaintances” [Luke 2:44]).
Then when He is found and His parents leave to return
for home
Luke 2:51 says “and He went down with them and came to
Nazareth.”
