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Did Jesus have children?

Jesus did not have children. The New Testament writers mention Jesus' mother, His earthly father, brothers, sisters, and cousins, and possibly an aunt. They also talk about Peter's mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14) and Paul's sister and nephew (Acts 23:16). There is no reason they would have failed to mention any wife or children of Jesus.

More importantly, Jesus did not come to earth to establish a physical family tree, but to start a spiritual family tree—the Church (Ephesians 1:5; Hebrews 2:10). Here's how Paul puts it in Galatians 4:4–5: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Despite some depictions to the contrary, there is no biblical or historical evidence that Jesus had children. At best, such fictional tales are useless myths and conspiracy theories that serve only to detract focus from the true nature of Jesus. This is nothing new. People have tried to portray Jesus as more human than divine for centuries. However, the Bible makes it clear that Jesus is God (John 20:28; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8). At the same time, Jesus is a human (Romans 1:2–4; 1 John 4:2–3). At worst, suggestions that Jesus had children violates the warning in Revelation 22:18: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book."

Jesus mission was not to create a lineage like God did through Abraham (Genesis 17:1–8). He came to live a sinless life, die on the cross, rise from the dead in power over death, and offer us salvation.

In one of His last acts, Jesus makes sure His earthly mother, Mary is cared for by a disciple, most likely John: "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home" (John 19:26–27). Surely, if He was married or had children, He would have ensured their care after His death.

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