Category:Joseph of Nazareth (subject)

BACK TO THE PEOPLE--INDEX

Joseph of Nazareth was, according to Christian tradition, the husband of Mary of Nazareth, mother of Jesus of Nazareth.

Overview

The Gospel of Mark ignores the father of the "son of Mary", Jesus. According to the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John, Jesus of Nazareth was "Joseph's son." Matthew and Luke are the only sources to provide two different narratives about the childhood of Jesus, which both give a role to Joseph. Luke and Matthew also claim that Joseph was a descendant of David.

Most of the information about Joseph of Nazareth comes from later sources, such as the Protoevangelium of James (2nd century CE) or the History of Joseph the Carpenter (5th century CE). They not only harmonized the data from the previous tradition but also added a lot of details about the relationship between Joseph and Mary (and Jesus).

The lack of evidence and the literary character of the narratives and genealogies concerning Joseph, make any historical evaluation virtually impossible. As no reference to Joseph can be found in Paul and in the Gospel of Mark (where Jesus is introduced as the son of Mary), the very existence of Joseph of Nazareth is disputed.

Joseph of Nazareth in ancient sources

Joseph of Nazareth (sources)

Joseph of Nazareth in literature & the arts

Joseph is a constant yet discreet presence in Christian iconography, which heavily relies on the data coming from later Christian tradition. Often portrayed as an old man, Joseph does not have a life of his own but always play a supporting role, as the devout husband of Mary and the caring father of Jesus. He is no more that a passive presence in the lives of his wife and son; only in the flight to Egypt he has a leading role. In recent decades a more dynamic image of Joseph and Mary has emerged, as a young and loving couple.