Previous Questions and Answers
Did
Joseph die before or after the death of Jesus?
We
are not told a lot about Joseph. We see him
before Jesus’ birth. Matthew 1:18-25
says, “18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When
as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with
child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and
not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 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. 21 And she shall bring forth
a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall
bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God
with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised
from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her
firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
We
see Joseph after the birth of Jesus. Matthew
2:13-23 says, “13 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. 14 When he arose, he took the young child
and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15
And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the
Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of
the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in
Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the
time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation,
and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be
comforted, because they are not. 19 But when
Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his
mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's
life. 21 And he arose, and took the young
child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his
father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a
dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 23
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”
The
last time that we see Joseph mentioned is when Jesus was 12 years old. Luke 2:40-52 says, “40 And the child grew, and
waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at
the feast of the passover. 42 And
when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they
returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not
of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the
company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back
again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it
came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of
the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his
mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have
sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto
them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he
spake unto them. 51 And he went down with
them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these
sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased
in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
Eighteen
years later, when Jesus began His earthly ministry at 30 years old, Joseph’s name is
mentioned in lineage, but he is not mentioned as being present. Luke 3:21-23 says, “21 Now when all the people
were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven
was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in
a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my
beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 23 And
Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of
Joseph, which was the son of Heli.”
Joseph
is not mentioned being present at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, when both Jesus and His
mother were invited. If Joseph were alive,
certainly he would have been there, because it was obviously a friend or relative of the
family. John 2:1-11 says, “1 And
the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to
the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus
saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus
saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he
saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set
there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing
two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith
unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear
unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water
that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water
knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine;
and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine
until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did
Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on
him.”
Notice,
in the following passage, how when Jesus first began His earthly ministry, they were
trying to figure out who exactly Jesus was. Mark
6:1-3 says, “1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his
disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath
day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished,
saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given
unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is
not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and
Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?
And they were offended at him.” Notice
that they call Jesus “the son of Mary,” and then they name the members of His
family and say that they are “here with us.”
But Joseph’s name is not mentioned.
Obviously, Joseph had died before this point in time.
A
final proof that Joseph had died earlier, is seen at Jesus’ death on the cross. John 19:25-27 says, “25 Now there
stood by the cross of Jesus his mother,
and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and
the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he
saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took
her unto his own home.” Jesus, being the firstborn Son, had the
responsibility to care for His parents when they got old.
His actions here obviously show that Joseph had died, and that Jesus was
taking the responsibility to see that His mother was cared for in His absence.
It
is also interesting to notice that Jesus did not leave the responsibility of caring for
His mother to His earthly brothers (Mary’s actual sons), but to a fellow Christian,
John. Remember Jesus’ statement when His
mother and brothers wanted to talk to Him on one occasion?
Matthew 12:46-50 says, “46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his
mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and
thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who
is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And
he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my
brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will
of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Taking
that passage into consideration, along with this next one, shows why Jesus gave the care
of His mother into the hands of John, and not into the hands of His earthly brothers. John 7:2-5 says, “2 Now the Jews' feast of
tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren
therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see
the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no
man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do
these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For
neither did his brethren believe in him.” Jesus’ earthly brothers were not saved.
Taking
into consideration that Joseph had passed away, and that His earthly brothers were not
Christians, Jesus left the care of His mother into the hands of a real “brother”
— the apostle John. Matthew 12:48-50
says, “48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who
are my brethren? 49 And
he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples,
and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50
For
whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and
sister, and mother.”
What
we can learn from this matter is that, like Joseph, very little may be known about us,
before we die. So what kind of a testimony do
we have? Joseph had the testimony that he was
willing to BELIEVE God and OBEY His Word and instructions to him — even when, from an
earthly perspective, things seemed quite different.
From
an earthly perspective, it seemed like Mary had been immoral with someone, and was
expecting a baby from it. But Joseph believed
God, and obeyed Him. Matthew 1:18-25 says,
“18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When
as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with
child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and
not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 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. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou
shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall
bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God
with us. 24 Then
Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto
him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her
firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
From
an earthly perspective, it seemed too dangerous to Joseph to take his family back to
Israel, with Herod’s son reigning, but he nonetheless obeyed the Lord. Matthew 2:19-23 says, “19 But when Herod was
dead, behold, an
angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the
land of Israel:
for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the
land of Israel. 22 But
when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was
afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside
into the parts of Galilee: 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth:
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a
Nazarene.”
We
also learn from these passages that when Jesus was faced with leaving the care of His
mother into the hands of earthly relatives that were not saved, or into the hands of
faithful Christians who were not physically related, He chose leaving her in the hands of
a faithful Christian. The most important thing
in life is not who you are related to physically, but who you are related to spiritually. Are born again through the precious, pure blood of
Jesus Christ? Is God your Father? Sadly, for most in this world, they are still dead
in their sins, spiritually speaking, and their father is the devil. John 8:44 says, “Ye are of your father the
devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he
speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through Him
only, can we become the sons of God. John
1:10-13 says, “10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world
knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his
own received him not. 12 But
as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the
will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
