CCC 500

Against this doctrine the objection is sometimes raised that the Bible mentions brothers and sisters of Jesus.¹⁵⁷ Cf. Mk 3:31-35; 6:3; I Cor 9:5; Gal 1:19. The Church has always understood these passages as not referring to other children of the Virgin Mary. In fact James and Joseph, "brothers of Jesus", are the sons of another Mary, a disciple of Christ, whom St. Matthew significantly calls "the other Mary".¹⁵⁸ Mt 13:55; 28:1; cf. Mt 27:56. They are close relations of Jesus, according to an Old Testament expression.¹⁵⁹ Cf. Gen 13:8; 14:16; 29:15; etc.