Matthew 13:56

Matthew 13:56

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

a. NLT: All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?”

b. NIV: Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

c. YLT: and his sisters -- are they not all with us? whence, then, to this one all these?'

d. Amplified Bible: And do not all His sisters live here among us? Where then did this Man get all this?

e. Worrell Translation: And His sisters, are they not all with us? Whence. Then, then hath this Man all these things?”

1. “And his sisters, are they not all with us?...”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. his [846 * autos] [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

c. sisters [79 * adelphe] [Strong: fem of 80; a sister (naturally or ecclesiastically):--sister.]

1). There were at least four half brothers and two half sisters to Jesus

d. are they [1526 * eisi] [Strong: 3d person plural present indicative of 1510; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.]

e. not [3780 * ouchi] [Strong: intensive of 3756; not indeed:--nay, not.]

f. all [3956 * pas] [Strong: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

g. with [4314 * pros] [Strong: a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

h. us [2248 * hemas] [Strong: accusative case plural of 1473; us:--our, us, we.]

1). It is possible the question are they not all with us? Refers to the whole family and not just to the sisters, who are mentioned here for the first and only time. Jesus had four half brothers and at least two half sisters, children from the union of Joseph and Mary. The Scripture clearly says that Joseph and Mary were intimate after Jesus was born.

a). Matthew 1:18-25  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

2. “…Whence then hath this man all these things?”

a. whence [4159 * pothen] [Strong: from the base of 4213 with enclitic adverb of origin; from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause:--whence.]

b. then [3767 * oun] [Strong: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]

c. hath this man [4129 * toutoi] [Strong: dative case singular masculine or neuter of 3778; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing):--here(-by, -in), him, one, the same, there(-in), this.]

d. all [3956 * pas] [Strong: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

e. these things [5023 * tauta] [Strong: nominative or accusative case neuter plural of 3778; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.]

1). The question concerning “these things’ was a reference to the wisdom and the mighty works and miracles that Jesus demonstrated in his ministry. Because they were offended in him, their unbelief prevented Jesus from doing might works among them, including his own family. Earlier in his ministry, probably immediately after he ordained the 12 disciples, his family tried to apprehend him because they believed he was mentally and emotionally unstable.

a). Mark 3:14-21  And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

3:16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;

3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

3:19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

3:20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

3:21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

b). The Greek word for “friends” refers to family. [3844 * para] [Thayer: those of one’s own family, i.e. his kinsmen,relations.] [Strong: a primary preposition; properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of):--above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side...by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.