The human father of Jesus. Joseph died September 25, 8 A.D. while working on Herod's building in Sepphoris, leaving Jesus to care for his family. [1]
The only time Jesus ever saw his father angry with him was when, in their room at the inn, he suggested building an amphitheater at Nazareth, evoking an uncharacteristic outburst from Joseph. [2] Joseph explained reasons for family discipline to Jesus, ensuring his intelligent and willing cooperation with parental wishes. [3]
Joseph faithfully discharged parental responsibilities, resisting temptation to show favoritism towards Jesus as a child of promise and son of destiny. [4] Joseph adhered zealously to Babylonian Jewish beliefs while Mary embraced the Hellenistic approach. [5]
Joseph's spiritual concept of the Messiah differed from Mary's family's belief in him as a political ruler, leading to hesitancy in allowing Jesus to be taken to Jerusalem for education. [6]
Joseph was a mild-mannered man, conscientious and faithful to religious practices, who experienced mild spiritual discouragement before his untimely death. [7] From the time Jesus was five years old until he was ten, Joseph never failed fully to discuss Jesus’ questions. [8]
Joseph was troubled by Mary's secret visitation from Gabriel and only came to believe in it after a vivid dream revealed the divine destiny of their unborn child, who was to be a light to all mankind. [9]
Joseph's family embraced Jesus' teachings, while Mary's relatives were hesitant until after his departure; Joseph favored a spiritual Messiah, in contrast to Mary's family who envisioned a political ruler; Mary's ancestry had historical ties to the Maccabean movement. [10] Gabriel chose Joseph and Mary from among three couples for the incarnation of the bestowal child. [11]
Joseph, despite his periods of mild spiritual discouragement, was a faithful and conscientious man, deeply saddened by the Jewish people's plight, who thought much but spoke little among his eight brothers and sisters. [12] Jesus was born of woman and raised in the ordinary manner by Joseph (father of Jesus) who was an average person of his day and generation. [13]
Joseph, a black-eyed brunet, married Mary, a brown-eyed well-nigh blond type, both of whom were highly educated and skilled in critical thinking and planning. [14] Joseph's genealogies traced back to the noble lines of the Sumerians, Nodites, and Abraham, among others. [15]
Joseph and Mary, both well-educated for their time, were educated far above average and displayed different strengths, with Joseph being a thinker and Mary a planner, skilled in adaptation and practical execution. [16] Joseph, fluent in both Aramaic and Greek, passed on his knowledge to his son Jesus, providing him with a strong foundation in both languages. [17]
Three months after Joseph and Mary's marriage in March, 8 B.C., Gabriel appeared to Elizabeth in June of the same year. [18] Joseph was so poor at the birth of Jesus that he had little money left and only offered two young pigeons for Mary's purification. [19]
Joseph, who supported his parents and had a recently disabled father, embarked on a journey with Mary, a poor Jewish couple, as she rode on their one beast of burden while he walked ahead, leading the way to Bethlehem. [20] Joseph and Mary, poor and with only one beast of burden, traveled to Bethlehem with Mary riding the animal while Joseph led it. [21] Joseph conferred with Zacharias in Jerusalem about the destiny of Jesus as the Jewish deliverer and John as his chief aide. [22] Mary's persuasion led Joseph to stay in Bethlehem for a year, as they believed Jesus would succeed David as the Jewish deliverer. [23] Joseph's admission of not knowing the cause of an earthquake marked the beginning of Jesus realizing his earthly parents were not all-wise. [24]
Jesus’ first Passover in Jerusalem with his parents was a pivotal moment in his life, as he showed signs of spiritual enlightenment and a desire to understand and challenge the teachings of the temple authorities. [25] Joseph found Jesus teaching in the temple, as Mary confronted him about his disappearance. [26] Joseph ordered Jesus not to draw, despite his artistic talent and passion, causing a great trial for the determined young boy. [27]
Joseph arranged to set aside the income from his Nazareth and Capernaum property to finance Jesus' education in Jerusalem starting on his fifteenth birthday in August. [28] Jesus, at age twelve, convinced Joseph to remove the parchment from the doorpost due to idolatrous nature of the custom. [29]
Joseph enjoyed Sabbath walks with Jesus in Nazareth, where they climbed to a high hill for a panoramic view of Galilee, influencing Jesus with stories of Hebrew prophets and Greco-Roman cities in the Decapolis and beyond. [30]
Joseph and Mary struggled with Jesus' unconventional approach to prayer, as he insisted on speaking to his heavenly Father in a familiar, casual manner rather than the more traditional solemn and reverent way. [31] It is unfortunate that Joseph could not have lived to see the fulfillment of his concept of Jesus’ mission. [32]
Joseph and Jacob, partners in masonry, were facing financial hardship as Jesus took charge of the family's affairs. [33] Joseph became a builder and trebled his family income, bringing them out of poverty. [34] Joseph was employed as foreman in Alexandria, supporting his family and gaining experience as a contractor. [35] Joseph worked in Sepphoris, responsible for building a new public building. [36]
Jesus worked at home in the family shop after the supply shop was taken over by his uncle, sending James to the camel lot to stay informed about current events. [37]