Definition: Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 13:55. It’s a really interesting and symbolic story about Jesus! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Story: Jesus is talking about a carpenter who built houses for people. He’s showing his disciples (the followers of Jesus) that he is one of them, and that he’s connected to the family who made him. Let’s unpack each part: “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” – This means Jesus is saying, "This is my son." He's pointing out that he is a human being, just like us. “is not his mother called Mary?” - This refers to Mary, Jesus' mother. Mary was a woman who was incredibly important in the story of Jesus’ birth. “and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?” – This is the key part! It names Jesus’ brothers. James, Joseph, and Simon were all very important members of Jesus' family. The Meaning - It's a Metaphor for Jesus: Now, this verse isn't literally about Jesus being a carpenter's son. It’s a powerful metaphor that means: Jesus is God's Son: It’s saying that Jesus is the special, divine son of God. He is Connected to Humanity: Because he’s a human son, he understands and shares our experiences, emotions, and struggles. He Shares Our Family: By mentioning his brothers, Jesus is showing us that he's part of our family – a family of believers who share the same roots in God. In short, it's a way of saying: “Jesus is one of us, just like you and me.” Do you want to dive deeper into any particular aspect of this verse? For example, would you like to know about its significance in the Bible or how it relates to other stories?