Matthew 1:18, More on the Perpetual Virginity of Mary

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

//A couple of days ago, I mentioned a verse that seemed to indicate that Mary, the mother of Jesus, felt required to go through the purification period after the birth of Jesus. This seems to imply that she did not have a miracle birth, and that the Catholic doctrine of perpetual virginity was in error. But there are many more reasons for believing Jesus had brothers and sisters, and thus Mary was not a virgin for long. Helvidius, way back in the fourth century, provided the following arguments against perpetual virginity:

1. Today’s verse seems to imply that after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary did “come together” (share in sexual intercourse). This is even more clear a few verses later:

But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. –Matthew 1:25