Matthew 13:55 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Is not this the carpenter's son?— In St. Mark, Mark 6:3 it is, Is not this the carpenter? 'Ο τεκτων; Accordingly Justin Martyr tells us, and the ancient Christians were all of the same opinion, that Jesus was employed in this occupation. Their canons required that all parents should teach their children some trade; and probablythe poverty of the family engaged Christ, while he was at home with Joseph, to work at his. What an additional proof this, of the humiliation of the blessed Redeemer for our sakes! By comparing ch. Matthew 27:56., Mark 15:40., John 19:25., with this passage, it appears, that the four persons mentioned here were the sons of Mary, sister to the virgin Mary, and the wife of Cleophas or Alpheus, which is the same name. See ch. Matthew 10:3 Matthew 12:46. By James is meant James the Lesser, whom St. Paul calls our Lord's brother, Galatians 1:19. Joses or Joseph (for it is the same name) is the only son of Mary, the wife of Alpheus, who never was an Apostle. Simon is he who is called the Canaanite or Zealot, to distinguish him from Simon Peter. And Judas or Jude is the author of the Epistle which goes under that name, wherein he styles himself the brother of James.