Was The Apostle John Jesus' Nephew?

Recently I downloaded a newer edition of the SwordSearcher software into my computer.  As I was reading the Barnes Commentary, that's provided with the software, about the Apostle John, he quoted an "ancient father" by the name of  Theophylact as saying, Joseph had seven children by a former wife, four sons and three daughters, Martha, Esther, and Salome, whose son John was; therefore Salome was reckoned our Lord's sister, and John was his nephew."

I thought that was interesting, didn't you?

I didn't know that Joseph had another wife before he married the mother of Jesus, did you? 

Ok, so I've already admitted that I'm not well educated so I don't know a lot of history so I just assumed that Mary was the only one that Joseph had ever been married to.  But that brings up something else!  We know that Mary was a virgin so any children that Joseph had by a former wife would not have actually been a relative to Jesus, but, of course, we can see how that she may have been reckoned to have been a sister since she would have called Joseph her Daddy and he was married to Jesus' mother!  Today we would call her his step-sister. 

I found this to be interesting, whether it is true or not I haven't proved to my own satisfaction yet,  nor have I decided if it is something I want to spend my time trying to prove!

Mr. Barnes didn't use a lot of ink on the subject, it was just something in his commentary that he mentioned in passing!

The main reason I don't see the need to spend my time searching to find absolute proof is because of what Jesus said in Matthew!

Mt 12:46 ¶ "While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
 47 "Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
 48 "But he answered and said unto him that told him, 'Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
 49 "And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, 'Behold my mother and my brethren!
 50 'For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.'" (The King James Version)

 Since Christ is no respecter of persons, God considers all of us as His children even as Christ has always loved all His disciples down through the ages!

The gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed good news!

Having said all that, I wouldn't condemn anyone who wanted to spend their time proving whether or not the Apostle John was Jesus' nephew!  I just feel that I have better use of my own time!

I welcome your comments!
J.V.