Topical Bible: Joseph: Husband of Mary

◄ Joseph: Husband of Mary ►

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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. His life and actions are primarily documented in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, where he is portrayed as a righteous and obedient servant of God.

Genealogy and Background

Joseph was a descendant of King David, which is significant in fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah's lineage. The Gospel of Matthew traces Joseph's genealogy through David's son Solomon (Matthew 1:1-16), while the Gospel of Luke traces it through David's son Nathan (Luke 3:23-38). This dual lineage underscores the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies and highlights Joseph's royal heritage.

Role in the Birth of Jesus

Joseph's role in the birth narrative of Jesus is marked by his obedience and faithfulness. Upon discovering that Mary was pregnant, Joseph, described as a "righteous man," initially planned to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace (Matthew 1:19). However, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, instructing him not to fear taking Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). The angel further revealed that the child would be named Jesus, "because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Demonstrating his faith and obedience, Joseph took Mary as his wife and refrained from consummating their marriage until after the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:24-25).

The Flight to Egypt and Return

Joseph's protective nature is further illustrated in the account of the flight to Egypt. After the visit of the Magi, an angel again appeared to Joseph in a dream, warning him of King Herod's intent to kill the child. In response, Joseph took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt, remaining there until Herod's death (Matthew 2:13-15). This act not only safeguarded the young Jesus but also fulfilled the prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Matthew 2:15).

Following Herod's death, Joseph was instructed by an angel to return to Israel. However, learning that Herod's son Archelaus was reigning in Judea, Joseph, guided by divine warning, settled in the district of Galilee, in a town called Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23). This move fulfilled the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.

Life in Nazareth and Role as a Father

Joseph's life in Nazareth was characterized by his role as a carpenter, a trade he likely passed on to Jesus (Matthew 13:55). His presence in Jesus' early life is implied in the account of the family's annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When Jesus was twelve, He stayed behind in the temple, engaging with the teachers, while Joseph and Mary searched for Him anxiously (Luke 2:41-50). This incident highlights Joseph's role in Jesus' upbringing and spiritual education.

Legacy and Significance

Though Joseph's presence in the Gospels is limited, his legacy as a model of righteousness, obedience, and humility is profound. He is venerated for his unwavering faith in God's plan and his dedication to his family. Joseph's actions ensured the safety and nurturing of Jesus during His formative years, playing a crucial role in the divine narrative of salvation. His life exemplifies the virtues of trust in God, moral integrity, and the importance of family, making him a revered figure in Christian tradition.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
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Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
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Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
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Luke 1:27
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
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Greek

2384. Iakob -- Jacob, the son of Isaac, also the father of Joseph ...
... Spelling: (ee-ak-obe') Short Definition: Jacob Definition: (Hebrew), Jacob, (a)
the patriarch, son of Isaac, (b) father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2384.htm - 6k

Library

Whether There was a True Marriage Between Mary and Joseph?
... Objection 2: Further, on Mat.1:16: "Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary," Jerome
says: "When thou readest 'husband' suspect not a marriage; but remember ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was a true.htm

A Statement of the Reason Why the Enumeration of the Ancestors of ...
... traces out the human generation of Christ, mentioning His ancestors from Abraham
downwards, and carrying them on to Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter i a statement of the.htm

Joseph and Mary.
... wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together
she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/joseph and mary.htm

Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus Christ
... Jacob; 16. And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born
Jesus, who is called Christ.'"MATT.1.1-16. To begin a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/matthews genealogy of jesus christ.htm

And Joseph Having Come to a Feast with his Sons...
... died, Anna was married to a third husband named Salome ... She called her Mary likewise,
and gave her to Zebedee ... It reads Emeria for Emerina, and Joseph for Philip. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 42 and joseph having.htm

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah was on this Wise...
... verses, to which, except in the words printed in italics, it is strictly parallel
in construction, reads thus: "Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, who of ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section ii the birth of.htm

The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary.
... Jerome maintains against Helvidius three propositions:". 1st. That Joseph
was only putatively, not really, the husband of Mary. 2d. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the perpetual virginity of blessed.htm

Marriage Does not Cancel a Mutual Vow of Continence; There was ...
... it was not deceitfully that the angel said to Joseph: "Fear not to take unto thee
Mary thy wife ... a holier and more wonderful joy to her husband because of ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 12 xi marriage does not.htm

Faustus Recurs to the Genealogical Difficulty and Insists that ...
... But as, in fact, both statements are made by one and the same writer, who informs
us both that Joseph was the husband of Mary and that the mother of Christ was ...
/.../faustus recurs to the genealogical.htm

Whether the Mother of God was a virgin in Conceiving Christ?
... ii), Joseph is called the father of Christ just as "he is called the husband of
Mary, without fleshly mingling, by the mere bond of marriage: being thereby ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the mother of god 2.htm