Three Sisters??

I’m always fascinated by what is NOT in the Bible sometimes as much as what is in it.  It puzzles me often, and one of the things that I’ve always been curious about is the siblings that Jesus had.  We are told that his brothers mocked him in one place and in another we are told that they were waiting outside with his mother to see him when he was speaking to a group inside a home.  Little else is mentioned about his family. 

What interests me about it is that I’m curious if Jesus had any sisters?  Women are certainly not excluded from the Bible, though references to them are rare by comparison to men.  Given the facts of life in Jesus’ times one would think he had at least a 50% chance of having sisters.  Sadly, we know little about his family life.  His father is not mentioned after Jesus is 12 years old.  Likely Joseph, already established in his trade as a carpenter, was much older than his wife, Mary.  Still, given the way of life then (lack of contraception and the desire for many children,) they could easily have had a half dozen kids if Joseph died immediately after Jesus was twelve.  So, where are the three sisters--or two, or even one?

I guess we’ll never know, and really it is not essential.  It is not the main story or reason for the New Testament accounts and perhaps would only serve to detract from the message that Jesus died for all our shortcomings, and that we have salvation and eternal life as a result if we choose Him.

Still, I’m curious!