Joseph, Husband of Mary (Matthew 1:18–25; Matthew 2:13–23; Matthew 13:55; Luke 1:26–27; Luke 2:1–52; Luke 3:23; Luke 4:22; John 6:42)

A Righteous Man of the House of David

A righteous man of David's house, betrothed to Mary, who did as the angel of the Lord commanded him in dreams: he took Mary as his wife, named the child Jesus, and took the family to Egypt and then to Nazareth.

The Gospels record no spoken word of Joseph; they show him in what he does. The Gospel of Matthew calls him “a righteous man” (Matthew 1:19) who, finding Mary with child, was minded to put her away privily rather than make her a public example. An angel appeared to him in a dream and said, “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife” (Matthew 1:20). “And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him” (Matthew 1:24).

He went up with Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem “because he was of the house and family of David” (Luke 2:4). Warned in a dream, he “took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt” (Matthew 2:14), and after Herod's death, warned again, he settled the family at Nazareth (Matthew 2:19–23).

He last appears when Jesus was twelve (Luke 2:41–51). Afterwards Jesus is called “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55) and “Joseph’s son” (Luke 4:22). The same passage names the household: “is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?” (Matthew 13:55–56). Joseph “knew her not till she had brought forth a son” (Matthew 1:25); these brethren and sisters are the children Joseph and Mary had after Jesus.

Strengths

• Righteousness
• Consideration for Mary
• Obedience
• Protective care
• Faithfulness to the law

Themes

• Obedience
• Righteousness
• Guidance in dreams
• Protection of the child
• House of David

Joseph takes Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:18–25)

Finding Mary with child, Joseph plans to put her away privily; an angel tells him in a dream not to fear, and he takes her as his wife.

Joseph takes Mary as his wife

“And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily” (Matthew 1:19).

“But when he thought on these things, behold, an 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” (Matthew 1:20). The angel told him he was to call the child's name JESUS (Matthew 1:21). “And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife” (Matthew 1:24), and “he called his name JESUS” (Matthew 1:25).

To Bethlehem for the enrollment (Luke 2:1–7; Luke 2:15–16)

Joseph goes up from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary, and is present when the child is born.

At the temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:22–33)

Joseph and Mary bring the child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, and marvel at what Simeon says.

Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15)

Warned in a dream that Herod will seek the child, Joseph takes the child and his mother by night into Egypt.

Flight into Egypt

“an 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 tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him” (Matthew 2:13).

“And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod” (Matthew 2:14–15).

Return to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19–23)

After Herod's death an angel tells Joseph to go to the land of Israel; being warned in a dream, he settles in Galilee at Nazareth.

Seeking Jesus in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41–51)

When Jesus is twelve, Joseph and Mary go up for the passover, and after three days find him in the temple.

Mary (Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 2:4–5; Matthew 2:13–14; Matthew 2:19–23)

His betrothed, whom he took as his wife; they traveled together to Bethlehem, to Egypt and to Nazareth.

Jesus (Matthew 1:25; Luke 3:23; Luke 4:22)

He called the child's name Jesus; the people of Nazareth later called Jesus Joseph's son. Luke 3:23 calls Jesus the son (as was supposed) of Joseph.

The angel of the Lord (Matthew 1:20–24; Matthew 2:13–14; Matthew 2:19–21)

Appeared to him in dreams, and he did as he was commanded.

Herod the king (Matthew 2:13–15)

Sought the young child to destroy him; Joseph took the child away.

Major sections

• Matthew 1:18–25
• Matthew 2:13–23
• Luke 2:1–52

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