Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Original Language Analysis
οὗτός
this
G3778
οὗτός
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
2 of 24
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τέκτονος
the carpenter's
G5045
τέκτονος
the carpenter's
Strong's:
G5045
Word #:
6 of 24
an artificer (as producer of fabrics), i.e., (specially), a craftsman in wood
υἱός;
son
G5207
υἱός;
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
7 of 24
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μήτηρ
mother
G3384
μήτηρ
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
10 of 24
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγεται
called
G3004
λέγεται
called
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Μαριὰμ
Mary
G3137
Μαριὰμ
Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
13 of 24
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὶ
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὶ
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
16 of 24
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
John 6:42And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?Mark 6:3Is 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.Luke 3:23And 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 19:25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.Luke 4:22And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
Historical Context
In honor-shame cultures like first-century Judaism, family and trade defined social status. Jesus's family was known but unremarkable—no Davidic royalty remained except genealogical record. The mention of His mother and brothers but not Joseph suggests Joseph had died by this time (ca. AD 28-29). The naming of four brothers and reference to sisters (v. 56) indicates a household of at least seven children.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's ordinary upbringing demonstrate the incarnation's radical condescension (Philippians 2:5-8)?
- What does the conversion of Jesus's skeptical brothers teach about persistent prayer for unbelieving family members?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Is not this the carpenter's son? (οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ τοῦ τέκτονος υἱός;)—The τέκτων (tektōn) was a craftsman working with wood, stone, or metal—a respectable but common trade. Mark 6:3 calls Jesus Himself 'the carpenter,' showing He worked with His hands (likely until age 30). Their question drips with contempt: 'this one,' 'the son of the carpenter'—attempting to box Jesus into their limited categories. They refused to let His divine works reinterpret His humble origins.
Is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?—They name His family to emphasize ordinariness. These ἀδελφοί (adelphoi, 'brothers') are most naturally understood as Jesus's half-brothers, Mary's sons by Joseph after Jesus's virgin birth (the perpetual virginity of Mary is unbiblical tradition). James (Ἰάκωβος) became a church leader (Acts 15:13; Galatians 1:19) and wrote the epistle of James. Judas (Ἰούδας, not Iscariot) wrote Jude. Their initial unbelief (John 7:5) was overcome by Jesus's resurrection appearance (1 Corinthians 15:7).