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Ruth Sister of Jesus

Ruth, the youngest child of Mary and Joseph, had unwavering belief in Jesus' divinity from an early age. She supported him throughout his ministry, witnessed his crucifixion, and eventually married David Zebedee.

Ruth, Sister of Jesus
  • Summary

    Mary and Joseph’s ninth and last child, Ruth, was born April 17, 9 CE when Jesus was 15 years old.

    Ruth was helped through her childhood by her older sisters, Martha and Miriam. And when she was old enough, she joined them in home school activities. As a child, she loved to visit Jesus in his repair shop and she and her playmates were always welcome there.

    Ruth was the only member of Jesus’ family who consistently and unwaveringly believed in the divinity of his mission from the times of her earliest spiritual consciousness right on down through his eventful ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension; and she passed away never having doubted the supernatural character of her father-brother’s mission in the flesh.

    Jesus got along with Ruth most excellently. And she remained unswervingly loyal to her father-brother, even when many in the family nearly deserted him. Even when others in the family wanted him to come home and stop his mission, Ruth was vocal in her support of Jesus.

    Ruth was one of the only two members of Jesus’ family to witness the crucifixion. Two months after the crucifixion, Ruth and David Zebedee were married.

  • Ruth’s Childhood

    As Ruth grew up, she was taken in hand by Miriam and Martha, her big sisters. And when she got old enough, she joined them as they were homeschooled by James, their older brother.

    Baby Ruth was the joy of the household, always genuine and heartfelt despite sometimes speaking without thinking. She adored her older father-brother, although he didn't indulge her every whim. Ruth was a beautiful child, although Miriam was the belle of the family, if not of the city.

    As a young child, Ruth and her playmates were frequent visitors at the repair shop. And always was Jesus ready to postpone the contemplation of his future work for the world and the universe so that he might share in the joy and youthful gladness of these youngsters, who never tired of listening to Jesus relate the experiences of his various trips to Jerusalem. They also greatly enjoyed his stories about animals and nature.

  • Ruth and Mary Move to Capernaum

    Before Jesus left to become a caravan conductor on the trip to the Caspian regions in April of 24 CE, Mary and Ruth moved to Capernaum, where they lived for the rest of Mary’s life in the home that Jesus had provided.

  • Ruth Pays a Secret Visit to Jesus

    In January, 28 CE, late on a Friday evening, Ruth secretly paid Jesus a visit in Capernaum. They spent almost an hour together in a boat anchored a short distance from the shore. No human being, save John Zebedee, ever knew of this visit, and he was admonished to tell no man.

  • The Missed Meetings with Jesus

    An eventful day in the life of Jesus and Ruth occurred on May 22, 29 CE. On this Sunday morning, before daybreak, one of David’s messengers arrived in great haste from Tiberias, bringing the word that Herod had authorized, or was about to authorize, the arrest of Jesus by the officers of the Sanhedrin. And in response to this hasty call, Mary, James, Joseph, Jude, and Ruth decided to go to the home of Zebedee, where Jesus was speaking.

    The family had expected to meet Jesus, take him aside, and urge him to go home with them and give up the foolishness of trying to preach a new religion that could bring only trouble to himself and dishonor upon his family. But Ruth disagreed and would say only: “I will tell my brother that I think he is a man of God, and that I hope he would be willing to die before he would allow these wicked Pharisees to stop his preaching.” Joseph promised to keep Ruth quiet while the others labored with Jesus.

    But this was unnecessary as the meeting never took place due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control. After Jesus’ family returned to Capernaum, they enjoyed no peace of mind until Thursday afternoon, when Ruth returned from a visit to the Zebedee house, where she learned from David Zebedee that her father-brother was safe and in good health.

    On Sunday, August 7, 29 CE, another meeting was to take place between Jesus and all the members of his family at Zebedee’s boat shop on the lake to the south of Capernaum. But the Pharisees got wind of it, and camped out on Mary’s doorstep, hoping to arrest Jesus. This forced the family to stay home, missing the meeting.

    Jude and Ruth endeavored to elude the vigilance of the Pharisees in their efforts to send word to Jesus, but it was of no avail.

  • Ruth at the Cross

    When Mary found out about Jesus’ arrest she wanted to go to him immediately. Ruth refused to remain behind with the rest of the family. And since she was determined to accompany her mother, her brother Jude went with her.

    The apostle John, with Mary the mother of Jesus, Ruth, and Jude, arrived on the scene just after Jesus had been hoisted to his position on the cross, and just as the captain was nailing the title above the Master’s head. Ruth was the chief comfort of Jesus, as regards his family, throughout the trying ordeal of his trial, rejection, and crucifixion.

    When the Master finally breathed his last, the only members of his family still present at the foot of his cross were his brother Jude and his sister Ruth.

    The day after Jesus’ death, Mary the mother of Jesus, with Ruth and Jude, returned to the home of Lazarus at Bethany just before sunset. And they were all present there when Jesus appeared to them around 2 pm the next day (Sunday) in his fourth resurrection appearance/Event/Jesus' Fourth Appearance].

  • Ruth Marries David Zebedee

    When everyone else left for their homes following the crucifixion of Jesus, Ruth remained at Bethany with Lazarus’ sisters. And about two months later, Ruth and David Zebedee were married.

Suggested Reading from this Essay

Related People

  • Joseph

    Father of Jesus and husband to Mary.

  • Mary

    The chosen mother of Jesus.

  • Jesus

    Son of God, Son of Man. Creator Son of the Universe.

Related Topics

Related Locations

Contributors

MaryJo Garascia, Mike Robinson, Gary Tonge

References and Sources

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