Brother
(1.) In the natural and common sense (Matt 1:2; Luke 3:1, Luke 3:19).
(2.) A near relation, a cousin (Gen 13:8; Gen 14:16; Matt 12:46; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Gal 1:19).
(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Matt 5:47; Acts 3:22; Heb 7:5).
(4.) A disciple or follower (Matt 25:40; Heb 2:11, Heb 2:12).
(5.) One of the same faith (Amos 1:9; Acts 9:30; Acts 11:29; 1 Cor 5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren.
(6.) A colleague in office (Ezra 3:2; 1 Cor 1:1; 2 Cor 1:1).
(7.) A fellow-man (Gen 9:5; Gen 19:7; Matt 5:22, Matt 5:23, Matt 5:24; Matt 7:5; Heb 2:17).
(8.) One beloved or closely united with another in affection (2 Sam 1:26; Acts 6:3; 1 Thess 5:1). Brethren of Jesus (Matt 1:25; Matt 12:46, Matt 12:50: Mark 3:31, Mark 3:32; Gal 1:19; 1 Cor 9:5, etc.) were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary. Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage, and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin’s sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
