Early first century · birth of Jesus around 6-4 BC
Joseph of Nazareth in the Bible
The carpenter who watched over the child Jesus. Name meaning: “May he add” (Hebrew Yosef): the name Rachel gave to Jacob’s son when she said, “The LORD shall add to me another son!” (Gen 30:24)
A carpenter of Nazareth and a descendant of King David, Joseph is engaged to Mary when she is found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. A “righteous man” (Matt 1:19), he obeys without delay every dream God sends him: he takes Mary into his home, gives the child the name Jesus, shelters him in Egypt, and then raises him in Nazareth. Through him, Jesus is recognized as a “son of David.”
Key moments
- He gives up the idea of breaking with Mary after the dream Matthew 1:20
- He takes Mary into his home and names the child Jesus Matthew 1:24–25
- He goes up to Bethlehem for the census Luke 2:4
- He presents Jesus at the temple Luke 2:22
- He flees to Egypt by night Matthew 2:14
- He settles in Nazareth Matthew 2:23
- He finds Jesus in the temple at age twelve Luke 2:46
Strengths
- Uprightness
- Obedience
- Discretion
- Protectiveness
- Devotion
Weaknesses
The Bible records no fault in Joseph. Like Mary, he does not understand Jesus’ answer in the temple (Luke 2:50); on the way home from the Passover, he travels a whole day without realizing that the boy is not with them (Luke 2:43-44).
Lessons for today
- A righteous man protects the other person even when he thinks he has been wronged: Joseph refuses to disgrace Mary (Matt 1:19).
- True obedience is quick and practical: at every dream, Joseph gets up and acts without arguing (Matt 1:24; 2:14, 21).
- God entrusts great things to humble people who are faithful in the everyday: a carpenter of Nazareth raises the Son of God (Matt 13:55).
- Devotion is passed down in families by example: every year, Joseph goes up to Jerusalem for the Passover (Luke 2:41).
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. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
People around Joseph of Nazareth
- Mary — Wife, mother of Jesus
- Jesus — The child he raises, “as was supposed, the son of Joseph” (Luke 3:23)
- David — Royal ancestor: the angel calls him “son of David”
- Jacob — His father, according to Matthew’s genealogy (a namesake of the patriarch)
- James — One of the brothers of Jesus named in Nazareth (Matt 13:55)
- Herod — The king who seeks to destroy the child
Stories with Joseph of Nazareth
Quiz: how well do you know Joseph of Nazareth?
What was Joseph’s trade, according to the people of Nazareth?
“Is not this the carpenter’s son?” ask the people of his hometown. Mark even reports that Jesus was called “the carpenter” (Mark 6:3). Matthew 13:54–55
How does the angel address Joseph in his first dream?
“Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife”: the angel reminds him that he is descended from King David. Matthew 1:20
To which country did Joseph flee with the child and his mother?
Warned in a dream that Herod would seek the child to destroy him, Joseph took the child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt. Matthew 2:13–14
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.