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Joseph descended from David through Solomon by nature is the twelfth generation from the deportation to Babylon, Mary is the thirteenth, and Jesus is the fourteenth generation.

Joseph descended from David through Solomon by nature is the twelfth generation from the deportation to Babylon, Mary is the thirteenth, and Jesus is the fourteenth generation.

Jesus was Mary's firstborn son (Luke 2:7). The legal term "firstborn" (Greek ''prototokos''), however, does not necessarily connote that other children were born afterwards. This is evident from Luke 2:23, and Exodus 13:2-12 (cf. Greek text) to which Luke refers. "Opening the womb" is there given as the equivalent of "firstborn" (''prototokos''). An only child was thus no less "firstborn" than the first of many. In Israel, "firstborn" means the lawful heir. Thus, Jesus is Mary's firstborn, and her heir.

Jesus was Mary's firstborn son ([http://biblehub.com/multi/luke/2-7.htm Luke 2:7]). The legal term "firstborn" (Greek ''prototokos''), however, does not necessarily connote that other children were born afterwards. This is evident from [http://biblehub.com/multi/luke/2-23.htm Luke 2:23], and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%2013:2-12&version=NABRE Exodus 13:2-12] (cf. Greek text) to which Luke refers. "Opening the womb" is there given as the equivalent of "firstborn" (''prototokos''). An only child was thus no less "firstborn" than the first of many. In Israel, "firstborn" means the lawful heir. Thus, Jesus is Mary's firstborn, and her heir.

See [[St. Joseph]].

See [[St. Joseph]].

An in-depth analysis of the controverted phrase "[[brethren of the Lord]]" can be found at Catholic Encyclopedia.

An in-depth analysis of the controverted phrase "[[brethren of the Lord]]" can be found at [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02767a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: The Brethren of the Lord].

==References==

==References==