CCC 500 Against this doctrine the objection is sometimes raised that the Bible mentions brothers and sisters of Jesus.1 The Church has always understood these passages as not referring to other children of the Virgin Mary. In fact James and Joseph, “brothers of Jesus”, are the sons of another Mary, a disciple of Christ, whom St. Matthew significantly calls “the other Mary”.2 They are close relations of Jesus, according to an Old Testament expression.3
CCC 539 The evangelists indicate the salvific meaning of this mysterious event: Jesus is the new Adam who remained faithful just where the first Adam had given in to temptation. Jesus fulfils Israel’s vocation perfectly: in contrast to those who had once provoked God during forty years in the desert, Christ reveals himself as God’s Servant, totally obedient to the divine will. In this, Jesus is the devil’s conqueror: he “binds the strong man” to take back his plunder.4 Jesus’ victory over the tempter in the desert anticipates victory at the Passion, the supreme act of obedience of his filial love for the Father.
CCC 548 The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. They invite belief in him.5 To those who turn to him in faith, he grants what they ask.6 So miracles strengthen faith in the One who does his Father’s works; they bear witness that he is the Son of God.7 But his miracles can also be occasions for “offence”;8 they are not intended to satisfy people’s curiosity or desire for magic Despite his evident miracles some people reject Jesus; he is even accused of acting by the power of demons.9
CCC 574 From the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, certain Pharisees and partisans of Herod together with priests and scribes agreed together to destroy him.10 Because of certain acts of his expelling demons, forgiving sins, healing on the sabbath day, his novel interpretation of the precepts of the Law regarding purity, and his familiarity with tax collectors and public sinners11 –- some ill-intentioned persons suspected Jesus of demonic possession.12 He is accused of blasphemy and false prophecy, religious crimes which the Law punished with death by stoning.13
CCC 1864 “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”14 There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit.15 Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss.
1 Cf. Mk 3:31-35; 6:3; I Cor 9:5; Gal 1:19.
2 Mt 13:55; 28:1; cf. Mt 27:56.
3 Cf. Gen 13:8; 14:16; 29:15; etc.
4 Cf. Ps 95:10; Mk 3:27
5 cf. Jn 5:36; 10:25, 38.
6 Cf. Mk 5:25-34; 10:52; etc.
7 Cf. Jn 10:31-38.
8 Mt 11:6.
9 Cf. Jn 11:47-48; Mk 3:22.
10 Cf. Mk 3:6; 14:1.
11 Cf. Mt 12:24; Mk 2:7,14-17; 3:1-6; 7:14-23.
12 Cf. Mk 3:22; Jn 8:48; 10:20.
13 Cf. Mk 2:7; Jn 5:18; 7:12, 52; 8:59; 10:31, 33.
14 Mt 12:31; cf. Mk 3:29; Lk 12:10.
15 Cf. John Paul II, DeV 46.