WERE JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST COUSINS?

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(Luke 1:36 KJV) And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

The King James Version (KJV) of the above verse seems to suggest that Mary, the mother of Jesus and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist were cousins. It is worthy to note that the Hebrew language has no word for cousin. The word translated cousin in the above verse is from the Greek word, suggenes which has same meaning as countryman, kinswoman, relative, one of the same race. 

Also note that the word "cousin" used to mean any relative in the 17th century when the KJV was written. Other Bible Versions refrained from using the word "cousin" in Luke 1:36.

(Luke 1:36 NLT) What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.

(Luke 1:36 AMP) And listen, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.

(Luke 1:36 NIV) Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.

We cannot therefore be certain if our Lord Jesus Christ and John the Baptist were cousins. We are however sure from the above bible verse that they were relatives.

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