Biblical scholar produces evidence that Jesus had a brother

USA: A Biblical scholar has added fuel to the fire on speculation that Jesus Christ had a brother.

Ben Witherington, an American New Testament expert, has firmed up the claims after a ground-breaking archaeological discovery.

In November 2002 a 2,000-year-old bone box was discovered with the Aramaic inscription: "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus," seemingly backing up Biblical references to James.

Since then, interpretations of what the term 'brother' could mean have been debated by experts, with some arguing that James would only have been a cousin.

But speaking to CNN, Professor Witherington, of the Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, said in a new interview that the reading should be taken literally.

He said: "The New Testament says nothing about Mary being a perpetual virgin, it says she virginally conceived Jesus, and it certainly implies that she went on to have more children after that, and his brothers and sisters are in fact his brothers and sisters."

While scholars may debate just how literally to read the word 'brother', it is known that James was an important figure in the early Christian movement as he is directly referenced in the Bible.

Paul, the apostle credited with spreading the word of Christianity in its early years, wrote in his letter to the Galatians: "Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him 15 days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother."

The artifact found in 2002, known as the “James ossuary,” was exhibited at the Royal Ontario Museum in 2003, but was later accused of being a fake.