Joseph

the just man

Who was Joseph?

He was Mary’s husband, from the family of King David. Matthew 1:16; Matthew 1:20
He was a just man. Matthew 1:19
He took Jesus and Mary to Egypt, because Herod was searching for the child to kill him. Matthew 2:13-14
He cared for Jesus as a father: people thought Jesus was his son. Luke 3:23; Luke 2:48

The name: It is a Hebrew name, interpreted as “may God add.” Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Joseph”
Also called: Joseph, son of David: that is what the angel called him Matthew 1:20
From: Nazareth, in Galilee. He was of the house of David Luke 2:4
Occupation: Carpenter: people called Jesus “the carpenter’s son” Matthew 13:55
Feast day: March 19: Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

What the Bible says

Matthew 1:16; Matthew 1:20

And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Matthew 1:19

Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.

Matthew 2:13-14

¹³And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. ¹⁴Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod:

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Joseph

Before Jesus. He lived in Nazareth and was from the family of King David. Luke 1:27; Luke 2:4
Before Jesus. He was betrothed to Mary. When he learned she was expecting a child, Joseph, a just man, planned to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:18-19
With Jesus. An angel spoke to him in a dream. When he woke up, he took Mary into his home as his wife. Matthew 1:20, 24
With Jesus. He went with Mary to Bethlehem to be enrolled in the census. Jesus was born there. Luke 2:4-7
With Jesus. He gave the child the name Jesus. Matthew 1:25
With Jesus. Warned in a dream, Joseph fled by night to Egypt with Mary and the child. Matthew 2:13-14
With Jesus. After Herod died, he came back and settled with them in Nazareth. Matthew 2:19-23
With Jesus. When Jesus was 12, Joseph and Mary searched for him for three days, until they found him in the Temple. Luke 2:42-46

Words of Joseph

The Gospels do not record a single word he said.

What they were like

He was a just man. Matthew 1:19
When he learned Mary was expecting a child, he did not want to expose her to shame. He planned to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:19
Each time an angel spoke to him in a dream, he got up and did what the angel told him. Matthew 1:24; Matthew 2:14; Matthew 2:21

The greatest thing they did

Joseph protected the child. He took Jesus and Mary to Egypt, because Herod was searching for the child to kill him. Matthew 2:13-14
He gave the child the name Jesus, as the angel had told him. Matthew 1:21, 25

Not to be confused with

He is another Joseph, many centuries earlier. His brothers sold him, and he came to govern Egypt. Acts 7:8-10
He is another Joseph: a disciple who, after the crucifixion, asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and buried him. John 19:38; Mark 15:46

In the Church today

Feast day: March 19, Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary (solemnity). General Roman Calendar; Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America (USCCB)

Patron of: Of the Catholic Church, as Blessed Pius IX declared on December 8, 1870 Francis, apostolic letter Patris corde (2020); Of workers, as proposed by Venerable Pius XII Francis, apostolic letter Patris corde (2020); Of a happy death Catechism 1014

In art, recognized by: The Child Jesus in his arms Marian Library, University of Dayton, “The Silent Saint” (March 17, 2025); A flowering staff, often with a lily. The story of the staff comes from a medieval book, the Golden Legend, not from the Bible Marian Library, University of Dayton, “The Silent Saint” (March 17, 2025); Carpenter’s tools Matthew 13:55; Marian Library, University of Dayton, “The Silent Saint” (March 17, 2025)

Joseph in art

What people ask

Was Joseph the father of Jesus?

He cared for Jesus as a father, and people thought Jesus was his son. The angel told Joseph that the child was from the Holy Spirit. Luke 3:23; Matthew 1:20

What did Joseph say in the Bible?

Nothing: the Gospels don’t record a single word of his. They tell us that each time the angel spoke to him, he did what he was told. Matthew 1:24; Matthew 2:14; Matthew 2:21

What was the name of Joseph’s father?

The Bible gives two names: Jacob, according to Matthew, and Heli, according to Luke. Matthew 1:16; Luke 3:23

When did Joseph die?

The Bible doesn’t say. The last scene he appears in is when Jesus was 12. Luke 2:42, 48, 51

Was Joseph a carpenter?

Yes: people called Jesus “the carpenter’s son.” Matthew 13:55

Daily life He was a carpenter: people called Jesus “the carpenter’s son.” Matthew 13:55 He lived in Nazareth, in Galilee. Luke 2:4; Luke 2:39 Every year he went with Mary…

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Who Joseph is connected to

Mary · husband and wife
Jesus · cared for him as a father
Joseph, son of Jacob · a figure of Saint Joseph
David · his descendant
Simeon · blessed them
Herod the Great · made him flee to Egypt

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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