Who was Joses?

Joses (Greek: Ἰωσῆς, Iōsēs or Iōsē, a variant of Joseph, from the Hebrew יוֹסֵף, Yosef, meaning “may he add” or “Jehovah increases”) was one of the named brothers of Jesus mentioned in the Gospel accounts. In Mark 6:3, Jesus is identified by the people of His hometown as the “carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon.” Joses is listed second among Jesus’ brothers, suggesting a place of prominence or seniority in the family hierarchy, likely the second-born after James.

Joses is also mentioned in Matthew 13:55, though there the name appears as “Joseph” (Greek: Iōsēph), indicating a manuscript variation or an interchangeable usage of the name. While not much is directly said about Joses, his inclusion among Jesus’ siblings places him within the intimate familial circle of the Messiah during His earthly ministry.

There is another figure named Joses (or Joseph) mentioned in Mark 15:40 and Mark 15:47 as the son of Mary, possibly a different Joses or perhaps the same man referred to as a brother of Jesus. Scholars and conservative interpreters have often discussed the identification of this Joses, but traditionally, the Joses of Mark 6:3 is regarded as a half-brother of Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph after Jesus’ virgin birth (cf. Luke 2:7, “her firstborn son”).

Biblical References and Cross-References

• Mark 6:3 – “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?”

• Matthew 13:55 – “Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?”

• Mark 15:40 – A Mary is mentioned as “the mother of James the younger and of Joses.”

• Mark 15:47 – “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.”

• Luke 2:7 – “She gave birth to her firstborn, a son…”

Cross-references:

• Galatians 1:19 – James, the brother of the Lord, is acknowledged here and could help link the family.

• John 7:5 – “For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”

Joses in the Gospels

Joses is presented in the context of Jesus‘ family life. In Mark 6, when Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth, the locals express skepticism at His wisdom and miracles, naming His relatives as part of their reasoning: “Is this not the carpenter…?” (Mark 6:3). The mention of Joses alongside James and the others reflects how Jesus’ identity as the Messiah was dismissed because He came from an ordinary family. This rejection was prophetic, fulfilling Isaiah 53:3, “He was despised and rejected by men.”

Though the Gospels do not detail Joses’ actions or faith, the implication in John 7:5 that Jesus’ brothers initially did not believe in Him places Joses among those who misunderstood Christ during His earthly ministry. However, Acts 1:14 notes that after the resurrection, Jesus’ brothers were among the believers gathered in prayer. While not named explicitly, it is possible that Joses was among them, indicating a transformation through the resurrection.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

Joses represents the reality that even those closest to Jesus during His earthly life struggled to recognize His true identity. This serves as a warning against the blindness of familiarity—assuming we understand Christ merely by human association rather than divine revelation.

Joses’ possible later conversion also offers hope: that unbelief is not the end of the story. Even if someone has rejected Christ in the past, the power of the gospel and the reality of the resurrection can draw them to saving faith.

How Joses’ Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The presence of Joses in Jesus’ immediate family is a profound reminder of the Incarnation. Jesus entered a real family, with siblings, parents, and all the complexities of human relationships. Though Jesus was sinless, He lived amid broken, ordinary people—even facing unbelief from His own household.

This underscores the humility of Christ (cf. Philippians 2:6-8) and His identification with humanity (cf. Hebrews 2:17). The gospel is not about rising above human experience, but God entering into it. Joses’ journey from unbelief to potential discipleship shows the transforming effect of the gospel and the invitation extended even to skeptics.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. The Humanity of Jesus

Joses’ existence affirms the humanity of Jesus. Jesus was not a mystical figure detached from reality; He had a mother, brothers, and a hometown.

2. Rejection and Familiarity

The rejection Jesus faced in Nazareth, partly due to being “just” Joses’ brother, highlights how pride and familiarity can blind people to truth.

3. Unbelief and Grace

That Jesus‘ own brothers, including Joses, once disbelieved yet were later counted among the believers (Acts 1:14) magnifies God‘s grace. Even those who opposed Christ can be redeemed.

4. The Power of the Resurrection

The transformation of Jesus’ family—especially James and likely Joses—demonstrates the life-changing reality of the resurrection.

Reflection Questions

1. What does Joses’ initial unbelief teach us about our own hearts and assumptions about Jesus?

2. How does the familiarity of Jesus’ earthly life encourage you in your own struggles?

3. Are there people in your life, like Joses, who need time and grace to come to faith?

4. What can we learn from Jesus‘ rejection in Nazareth about standing firm in faith even when misunderstood?

5. How does the gospel transform family dynamics and offer new spiritual unity, even to those once in opposition?

Joses may not be a central figure in the gospel narrative, but his inclusion as one of Jesus’ brothers reminds us of the deeply personal nature of Christ’s incarnation, the challenge of unbelief, and the hopeful invitation of the gospel to all—even to those closest to Jesus who once did not believe.