Was Jesus Christ Married?
Did He Have Any Children?
Compiled by Robert Hyatt
1999
Preface:
The debate over Jesus Christ being married continues today among Biblical Scholars and thinkers, and even among members of the LDS faith. Could Jesus have been married? Several Biblical facts allude to this assumption, but the Bible is not clear on the matter. We must look to modern Prophets and Apostles for further clarification. Let us look to some Biblical facts first then to statements from LDS church leaders.
Biblical Facts:
1. Whose marriage did Jesus Christ change the water into wine? Jewish tradition would have the groom provide the best wine for the marriage reception, which would make Jesus the groom.
2. Mary, her sister Martha, and Mary Magdalene were with Jesus Christ on numerous occasions. Under Jewish law, it would have been very un-appropriate for Jesus to have been in such a close relationship with the three women unless they were married to him.
3. Mary Magdalene was the first to see the risen Lord at His tomb. The Bible states that she went to embrace the Lord but He forbade her.
4. The commandment and importance of marriage was given by the Lord Himself. Would He be exempt from the eternal ordinance of marriage? He was not exempt from the ordinance of baptism, then why marriage?
Now let us turn to LDS leaders for further clarification:
B. H. Roberts, Defense of the Faith and the Saints, Vol.2, p.272
"Next let us inquire whether there are any intimations in the Scriptures concerning the wives of Jesus. One thing is certain: that there were several holy women who greatly loved Jesus, such as Mary and Martha, her sister, and Mary Magdalene; Jesus greatly loved them and associated with them much; and when he arose from the dead, instead of first showing himself to his chosen witnesses, the apostles, he appeared first to these women, or at least to one of them, namely, Mary Magdalene. Now it would be very natural for a husband in the resurrection to appear first to his own dear wives, and afterwards show himself to his other friends. If all the acts of Jesus were written, we no doubt should learn that these beloved women were his wives. Indeed, the Psalmist David prophesies in particular concerning the wives of the Son of God. 'Kings' daughters were among thine honorable wives; upon thy right hand did stand the Queen in a vesture of gold of Ophir."--Apostle Orson Pratt in The Seer, page 159.
B. H. Roberts, Defense of the Faith and the Saints, Vol.2, p.272
"Did the Savior of the world consider it his duty to fulfill all righteousness? And if the Savior of the world found it his duty to fulfill all righteousness to obey a command of far less importance than that of multiplying his race, would he not find it his duty to join with the race of the faithful ones in replenishing the earth?"--Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, volume II, page 79.
B. H. Roberts, Defense of the Faith and the Saints, Vol.2, p.272
"'He shall see his seed.' If he has no seed how could he see it? 'And who shall declare his generation? If he had no generation who could declare it?"--Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, volume II, page 80.
B. H. Roberts, Defense of the Faith and the Saints, Vol.2, p.272
"We say it was Jesus Christ who was married (at Cana) to the Marys and Martha, whereby he could see his seed before he was crucified."--Apostle Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, volume II.