Joseph, husband of Mary
Israelite / Jew Jewish (house and lineage of David), of Nazareth · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- Joseph
- Name means
- 'he will add'
- Role
- Carpenter; husband of Mary and legal father of Jesus
- When
- c. 6-4 BC (birth of Jesus)
What they did
A just man who, after an angel spoke to him in a dream, took Mary as his wife, named the child Jesus, protected the family by fleeing to Egypt, and raised Jesus in Nazareth.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His quiet obedience protected the infant Saviour, and through him Jesus was legally of the house of David, as the prophets foretold.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:20 (KJV)
Bible references
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:19-20 (KJV)
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: Matthew 1:24 (KJV)
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: Matthew 2:13-14 (KJV)
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke 2:4-5 (KJV)
Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Matthew 13:55 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Jacob (Matthew 1:16); Luke 3:23 reads 'the son of Heli'
- Spouse(s)
- Mary
- Children
- Jesus (as legal father)
Jesus was called 'the carpenter's son' (Matthew 13:55). Joseph is last seen when Jesus was twelve (Luke 2:41-51).