Topical Bible: Joseph: Husband of Mary: Belongs to the Town of Bethlehem

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Joseph, a central figure in the New Testament, is best known as the earthly husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. He is a descendant of King David, which fulfills the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah's lineage. Joseph's life and actions are primarily documented in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Lineage and Background

Joseph's lineage is significant in the context of biblical prophecy. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph is a direct descendant of David, through Solomon, which establishes Jesus' legal right to the throne of David. Matthew 1:16 states, "and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ" . The Gospel of Luke provides a different genealogy, tracing Joseph's lineage through David's son Nathan, emphasizing the fulfillment of messianic prophecies.

Role in the Nativity

Joseph's role in the nativity account is marked by obedience and faithfulness. Upon discovering Mary's pregnancy, Joseph, described as a righteous man, initially plans to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace. However, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. The angel further reveals that the child should be named Jesus, "because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Joseph's compliance with the angel's message demonstrates his deep faith and trust in God's plan.

Journey to Bethlehem

Joseph's connection to Bethlehem is highlighted during the census ordered by Caesar Augustus, which requires him to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the town of David, as he belongs to the house and line of David. Luke 2:4-5 records, "So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child" . This journey fulfills the prophecy of Micah 5:2, which foretells the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem.

Protector of the Holy Family

Joseph's protective nature is evident in his response to divine warnings. After Jesus' birth, an angel again appears to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to flee to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus to escape King Herod's massacre of the innocents. Joseph's immediate obedience ensures the safety of the Holy Family. Matthew 2:14-15 recounts, "So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod" .

Return to Nazareth

Following Herod's death, Joseph is directed by an angel to return to Israel. However, learning that Herod's son Archelaus reigns in Judea, Joseph is divinely warned in another dream to withdraw to the district of Galilee. He settles in the town of Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:22-23).

Legacy and Character

Joseph's legacy is characterized by his unwavering faith, righteousness, and obedience to God's will. Though not much is detailed about his later life, Joseph's role as the earthly father of Jesus and his dedication to his family are evident throughout the Gospel narratives. His actions and decisions played a crucial part in the early life of Jesus, ensuring the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 2:4
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The visitation
... the Holy Family, for the mother was a sister of the third husband of Mary Cleophas,
the ... for several days with these people before she came to Joseph's house ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ix the visitation.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... a curious passage in which Joseph is represented ... the Church has always identified
Mary Magdalene with ... locks, her shameless profligacy, her husband Pappus, and ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

Matt. I. 1
... and if he had passed over Joseph in silence ... order therefore that we might learn,
touching Mary, who she ... traced the genealogy of her espoused husband, and shown ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ii matt i 1.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... The father of Mary was, according to this rule, the first of Our Lord's forebears
according to the flesh who ... Joseph) took as her second husband Levi, of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

Critical Notes.
... not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?" &c.; from ... that Jesus himself engaged in
the trade of Joseph. ... The relation of husband and father must be excepted, on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/critical notes.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... a wife's duty, but that she only complied with her husband's longing to ... could see
the slaughtered innocents, the raging Herod, Joseph and Mary fleeing into ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... blessed prerogative of divinity, the latter belongs to our ... it is that by way of type
Joseph has a ... Isaac, moreover, the husband of one wife, Rebecca, prefigures ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... Marcianus: Emperor 450-457; husband of Pulcheria (born 399, died ... made bishop of Hippo,
as his town was made ... And therefore whatever men have that belongs to the ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... omit: There was a young man in our town, to whom ... they met with outward losses; as
of husband, wife, child ... have remembered that word, Touch Me not, Mary, etc., I ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

part ii
... Remember that the domain of thought and word belongs to God as well as the whole ...
our sakes also that He adorned His Mother, the Most Pure Virgin Mary, with all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm