John 7:3-5, Jesus' Brothers

3 So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." 5 For not even his brothers believed in him.

Presumably this passage speaks of Jesus’ natural, younger half-brothers. Why should Jesus stay in the obscure north when he could make a much bigger splash in Jerusalem during the feast? Neither did they believe he was the Son of God, nor did they understand the all-important timing Jesus would keep in regard to his passion.

Mark 6:3 spells out who these brothers are: James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. From the gospel accounts, they did not believe in him until after his death. Paul records that Jesus made a special appearance to James, probably the oldest of the brothers, in 1 Corinthians 15:7, but it is not clear when and where it occurred. James later became prominent in, if not the head of, the church in Jerusalem. He is thought to be the author of the Letter of James. Jesus’s brother, Judas, is most likely the author of Jude. While his brothers did not believe in the divinity of Jesus before his death, it appears they did come to faith and take leading roles in spreading the good news of the gospel after his resurrection.

Not everyone will believe in who Jesus is. The attitude of his brothers in these verses reflects the attitude of the rebellious world, looking for overwhelming proof and wonders in signs and miracles rather than being confronted with the need to repent and return to the Lord. So often the same marketing mistake is made today when it comes to what properly defines the good news of the gospel.

Pray today for someone you know who doesn’t believe in Jesus, asking God to change that person’s heart.