Joseph (Father of Jesus)
| Joseph | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Family | Wife: Mary Sons: Jesus, James, Joseph, Simon, Judas |
| Occupation(Features) | Carpenter |
| Activity area | Nazareth |
Joseph (Greek: Ἰωσήφ)[1] was the husband of Mary and the father of Jesus. A descendant of David from the tribe of Judah, he was originally from Bethlehem,[2] but lived in Nazareth in Galilee as a carpenter. Besides Jesus, he had sons James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.[3] Aside from the stories related to Jesus’ birth and childhood, there is no detailed record of Joseph’s life in the Bible, so it is presumed that he died before Jesus began His ministry.[4]
Historical Background
Israel came under Roman rule around 63 BC. The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar appointed Herod Antipater II, an Idumean (Edomite), as the administrative governor of Judea and allowed him to rule over the region. As foreigners ruling over Jews, Herod’s dynasty tried hard to gain the support of the Jewish people. Around 4 BC, when Joseph's wife Mary gave birth to Jesus, Herod the Great was reigning as king of Judea.
Joseph's Deeds
Accepting Mary as His Wife
Joseph, who lived in Nazareth of Galilee, was betrothed to Mary. However, before they came together, Mary was found to be pregnant. Upon learning this, Joseph resolved to quietly break off the engagement. At that time, an angel of God appeared in a dream, telling Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife because the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and to name the child Jesus.[5] Joseph obeyed the angel's word, took Mary as his wife, and did not consummate the marriage until after the birth of the child.[6]
Traveling to Bethlehem for the Census
The Roman Emperor Augustus issued a decree for a census in the land of Judea.[7] To register, people had to return to their hometowns. So Joseph traveled with his pregnant wife Mary to his hometown, Bethlehem. Since many people were traveling for the census, there were no rooms available. Mary gave birth in a place with a manger,[8] and Joseph named the child Jesus. All of this fulfilled the prophecies that Christ would be born in Bethlehem, and “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.”[9][10]
Fleeing to Egypt
At that time, the King Herod heard from the Magi from the East that the King of the Jews had been born.[11] He gathered the high priests and scribes and asked where Christ would be born. They replied according to the prophecy of Micah that it would be in Bethlehem of Judea.[9] Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem, asking them to return and report about the child. However, the Magi, warned in a dream, returned to their country by another route.[12]
After the Magi left, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him that Herod was trying to kill the child, so he should flee to Egypt. Joseph woke up and that night took Mary and baby Jesus and fled to Egypt, where they stayed until Herod died.[13] When the Magi did not return, Herod ordered the massacre of all boys aged two and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity, in an attempt to kill baby Jesus.[14]
Moving to Nazareth
After Herod died, the angel appeared again in Joseph’s dream and told him to return to Israel with Mary and Jesus. Joseph obeyed and returned,[15] but upon learning that Herod Archelaus, Herod's son, was ruling Judea, and because of his cruelty and massacres,[16] Joseph was afraid to go there. Then, receiving another instruction through a dream, Joseph moved to Nazareth in Galilee, where Herod Antipas was ruling as tetrarch.
Keeping the Passover with the Young Jesus
Every year on the Passover, Joseph and Mary would go to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of God. When Jesus was twelve years old, they went as usual, and as they were returning home, Jesus did not go with them.[17] Unaware of His absence, they had already left. The next day, they realized He was missing and returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.[18] After three days, they found Jesus in the temple, discussing the Scriptures with the teachers of the Law.[19] Those who heard Him were amazed at His knowledge. Joseph and Mary were astonished. Mary said they had been worriedly searching for Him, to which Jesus replied: “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[20] Joseph and Mary did not understand what He meant.[21] After this event, there are no more records of Joseph in the Bible.
Lesson
Matthew testifies that Joseph was a righteous man.[22] At that time, in Judea, people were legally considered husband and wife once they were betrothed, usually one year before marriage.[23][24] Even before marriage, a betrothed woman was expected to remain pure. If Mary's pregnancy had become known publicly, under the strict Law, she might have faced death. However, Joseph chose to handle it quietly out of consideration for Mary.
Joseph’s actions reflect his righteous character and conduct. God chose righteous Abraham to bless the Israelite nation, righteous Moses to deliver the oppressed people, and righteous Noah to build the ark and be saved. God chose Joseph, a righteous man, as the father of Jesus Christ, who would save mankind. God always seeks out the righteous, grants them blessings, and bestows salvation.
See also
References
- ↑ Strong's Greek: 2501. Ἰωσήφ, Bible Hub
- ↑ "Luke 2:4".
- ↑ "Matthew 13:55".
- ↑ Dr. Noemi Oliver, Did Joseph Die Before Jesus? Examining the Evidence, Encounter Church FW, August 26, 2023
- ↑ "Matthew 1:18–21".
- ↑ "Matthew 1:24-25".
- ↑ "Luke 2:1".
- ↑ "Luke 2:6-7".
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Micah 5:2".
- ↑ "Isaiah 7:14".
- ↑ "Matthew 2:1-3".
- ↑ Matthew 2:12.
- ↑ "Matthew 2:13-15".
- ↑ "Matthew 2:16".
- ↑ "Matthew 2:19-21".
- ↑ Herod Archelaus: Life and Reign, World History Edu, January 7, 2025
- ↑ "Luke 2:41-43".
- ↑ "Luke 2:43-45".
- ↑ "Luke 2:46-47".
- ↑ "Luke 2:48-49".
- ↑ "Luke 2:50".
- ↑ "Matthew 1:19".
- ↑ Marcus Jastrow, Bernard Drachman, BETROTHAL ( in Talmudic Hebrew), Jewish Encyclopedia
- ↑ "Deuteronomy 22:23–24".