Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus Christ. Though not the biological father of Jesus, Joseph was married to Mary, Jesus’ mother, and helped raise and provide for Jesus during his childhood and young adult years. Joseph plays an important role in the Christmas story about Jesus’ birth, as well as in protecting Jesus from harm as a baby. Here is an in-depth look at who Joseph was and what the Bible teaches about his life and importance:
Joseph’s Lineage and Occupation
Joseph was of the lineage of David. Both the gospels of Matthew and Luke record Joseph’s genealogy, tracing his ancestry back to King David (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38). This was important because it helped establish Jesus’ own royal lineage as a descendant of David. Jesus was not biologically related to Joseph, but as Joseph’s adopted son, the legal lineage was passed on to him. Joseph provided the royal bloodline for the Messiah that Hebrew prophecies predicted would come from the house and line of David.
Joseph was a carpenter by trade (Matthew 13:55). As an artisan, he likely used both stone and wood in his work. This meant Joseph had an honest and humble career, providing a living for his family as a craftsman. Jesus too would have learned this trade while under Joseph’s care, before leaving home and beginning his ministry around the age of 30.
Joseph’s Betrothal to Mary
In first century Jewish culture, betrothal was a binding legal agreement of marriage, though the man and woman would not yet live together or consummate the marriage. This period lasted about one year before the actual wedding ceremony and consummation. Mary and Joseph were betrothed when she was found to be with child. Joseph knew the child was not his own, and he could have had Mary shamed and possibly even stoned for adultery since they were still in the betrothal period. However, the Bible says Joseph was a righteous man who did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he planned to end the betrothal agreement quietly (Matthew 1:19).
Joseph’s Obedience to God’s Revelations
After learning of Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph considered a quiet divorce. But God sent an angel to reveal that her child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would be the long awaited Savior. The angel told Joseph not to fear taking Mary as his wife. Joseph obeyed the Lord’s command and took Mary home as his wife, though he refrained from intimacy with her until after Jesus was born (Matthew 1:20-25). Joseph was a humble man who followed God’s leading even when it did not make sense by conventional wisdom or cultural standards. Joseph protected both Mary and Jesus in taking Mary as his wife.
Joseph again obeyed God by fleeing to Egypt after another angel warned him in a dream that Herod would seek to kill Jesus. Joseph left by night and remained in Egypt with Mary and Jesus until after Herod’s death, fulfilling the prophecy “out of Egypt I called my son” (Matthew 2:13-15). This shows how Joseph demonstrated complete faith in God’s leading and faithfully protected his family.
Joseph’s Protection of Jesus and Mary
Joseph cared for Jesus and Mary in those early years of Jesus’ life. He helped raise Jesus into manhood, teaching him his own trade as a carpenter. Joseph provided the earthly love, nurturing, and discipline that helped shape Jesus’ human character. Joseph’s protection made for a safe and caring home.
Along with Mary, Joseph took Jesus to the temple for religious festivals and sacrifices. On one occasion, Jesus was separated from his parents for several days. When Mary and Joseph finally found Jesus, he was in the temple listening to the teachers and asking them questions beyond his years. The Bible says Joseph did not fully understand Jesus’ words about being in his Father’s house, but that he and Mary cherished what their son had said in their hearts (Luke 2:41-51).
Joseph continued guarding Jesus’ safety throughout his childhood. Matthew indicates Joseph, Mary, and Jesus only returned to the Bethlehem/Jerusalem area after learning Herod’s son had taken over Judea. Joseph was warned in another dream that the son of Herod would seek Jesus’ life, so Joseph kept his family in the safety of Galilee. Joseph likely passed sometime during Jesus’ younger adult years, before Jesus began his ministry at the age of 30.
Joseph as Guardian of the Virgin Birth
Though not the biological father of Jesus, Joseph was entrusted with the responsibility of being the legal father and raising Jesus as his own son. As the husband of Mary, Joseph helped obscure the miraculous circumstances of Jesus’ birth until the time was right for it to be revealed publicly. Joseph’s protection of Mary’s virtue enabled her to still be called a virgin.
As such, Joseph played an important part in bearing witness to the virgin birth prophecy given in Isaiah 7:14. That passage said a virgin would conceive and bear a son called Immanuel, meaning “God with us”. Joseph’s treatment of Mary as virgin until after Jesus’ birth, despite cultural views of potential unfaithfulness, allowed the miracle of the virgin birth to be fulfilled both actually and prophetically in Jesus the Messiah. Joseph’s actions upon learning of Mary’s pregnancy helped pave the way for belief in the Incarnation.
Joseph as Example of Righteousness
Joseph is described as a righteous man in Matthew 1:19. His actions throughout the birth account of Jesus support this. Joseph sought to handle Mary’s supposed indiscretion quietly rather than demanding public justice. When God revealed Mary’s pregnancy was by the Holy Spirit, Joseph promptly obeyed and fully accepted her as his wife. Joseph followed the Spirit’s leading in fleeing to Egypt. He turned down his initial option of a quiet divorce in order to follow God’s calling. Joseph cared faithfully for his family. In short, Joseph exercised faith, integrity, humility, and protection.
Though Scripture does not record any words Joseph spoke, his righteous deeds indicate a man of spiritual depth. Joseph’s courage and fortitude helped pave the way for the long awaited Messiah to fulfill His mission. Joseph provided the human love and earthly father figure Jesus needed to grow into a man on earth. Through his obedience and honorable treatment of Mary, Joseph served to protect the truth of Christ’s miraculous conception until the appointed time.
Joseph in Apocryphal Writings
Several apocryphal works provide additional details about Joseph, his former marriage, his age, and his death. However, these apocryphal accounts were written several centuries after the biblical gospels. They lack reliability and spiritual authority compared to the scriptural record. While they may contain some truthful details not included in Scripture, they also contradict the biblical account and inject superstitious legends. The Bible itself gives the most reliable record of who Joseph was and what he did, without need for fanciful embellishments.
Significance and Legacy
Joseph was the earthly father tasked with raising the Son of God. He contributed the royal lineage required for the Messiah. He protected Mary and Jesus and made provision for them as a faithful husband and guardian. Joseph obeyed God in difficult situations when obeying was not the easiest path. As such, Joseph has been honored throughout church history as a model of faith, obedience, righteousness, and compassion. He is considered the patron saint of fathers, families, and workers. Various religious shrines, churches, and cathedrals have been dedicated to Joseph over the centuries, reflecting the significance of his role.
The Feast of Saint Joseph is celebrated annually on March 19 in Western Christianity, honoring Joseph as the patron saint of workers and fathers. He is also honored in May 1 feast days of various Eastern churches. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Joseph as the patron and protector of the universal Catholic Church. Religious artwork commonly depicts Joseph with rod or staff in hand, the tools of his trade as a humble carpenter. But artwork also shows him fulfilling his sacred task of caring for the Christ child and his mother.
Joseph’s example of quiet virtue, humble leadership, and devotion to family provides an aspirational model for fathers even today. The feats of faith and obedience exhibited in his protection and raising of Jesus are inspiring. As Jesus’ earthly guardian, and guardian of the world’s greatest mystery in the divine Incarnation, Joseph occupies a singular place of honor in history and the Christian faith.
Lessons from Joseph’s Life
Here are key lessons that can be drawn from Joseph’s life based on what is revealed in Scripture:
- Joseph was a righteous and compassionate man who sought to protect others rather than demanding the letter of the law be executed.
- Joseph consistently obeyed God’s leading, even when it did not make sense humanly speaking.
- Joseph played an important legal role in Jesus’ royal lineage as a descendant of David.
- Joseph provided for and protected Mary and Jesus as husband and guardian.
- Joseph helped fulfill prophecy about the Messiah’s coming and virgin birth.
- Joseph helped raise Jesus into manhood with love, discipline, and his trade as a carpenter.
- Joseph is a model of faith, integrity, leadership, and quiet obedience to God’s will.
In summary, Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus, the adoptive father of the Son of God. He protected Jesus and Mary, provided for them, and helped fulfill various Messianic prophecies through his noble actions. Joseph nurtured the human development of the Christ child. His faith, courage, and obedience in difficult situations provide an inspiring spiritual model. Joseph has been revered throughout history for the central role he played in Christ’s life and the redemption narrative.