as Jesus grew older what happened to Joseph?

Question

i've read mathew, and luke and after a while i notice that it doesn't mention him after a while.

murph...i wish i was at level 2 now so i could rate your answer low.

Answer 1

Jesus' words to Mary and John on the cross infer that Joseph was dead at that time. If Mary had a husband or other sons, she would have been cared for by them. The fact that Jesus told John that he was now her son is strong evidence that she would have been alone after Jesus died. (Please note, I am aware the Bible refers to Jesus' "brothers." However, the Greek word used there has many meanings: brother, cousin, close friend, or member of the person's Tribe. It is not a conclusive title, as it is in the English language.)

However, we have no way of knowing when, or how, Joseph died.

Peace.

Answer 2

Most scholars agree he probably died.
Joseph was certainly older than Mary at the time of their marriage, some believe much older, perhaps in his thirties or forties. Whether it was the age factor (at a time when the average lifespan was far less than today), or something else, Joseph apparently died before, or shortly after, Jesus began His public ministry. His presence is not mentioned at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee when Jesus did His first public miracle, or at the Crucifixion when Mary, who although she would have been only in her late forties, was obviously already then a widow because she thereafter went to live with the apostle John.

Answer 3

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

The chief sources of information on the life of St. Joseph are the first chapters of our first and third Gospels; they are practically also the only reliable sources, for, whilst, on the holy patriarch's life, as on many other points connected with the Saviour's history which are left untouched by the canonical writings, the apocryphal literature is full of details, the non-admittance of these works into the Canon of the Sacred Books casts a strong suspicion upon their contents; and, even granted that some of the facts recorded by them may be founded on trustworthy traditions, it is in most instances next to impossible to discern and sift these particles of true history from the fancies with which they are associated. Among these apocryphal productions dealing more or less extensively with some episodes of St. Joseph's life may be noted the so-called "Gospel of James", the "Pseudo-Matthew", the "Gospel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary", the "Story of Joseph the Carpenter", and the "Life of the Virgin and Death of Joseph".

Answer 4

Luke 2 shows us that at the age of twelve, Jesus began to pull away from His natural parents because He wanted to prepare for His ministry. I can imagine, the day they found Jesus in the temple, and He told them He was about His real Father's business, it must have cut Joseph's flesh like a knife. I'm sure he was proud of his little son, but it must have been awkward for him too.
When Jesus began His ministry at the age of 33, He really distanced Himself from His natural parents. Mary was there at His crucifixion, but the Bible does not record what came of Joseph.

PS It does make sense that he may have died. It would certainly explain why Jesus told John to take care of Mary.

Answer 5

Hi, Joseph died slightly before Jesus set out on His ministry, it is not recorded but it stands to reason all the same.
remember the fact that not all that Jesus did or happened around Him is written down as the Apostle said there would not be enough books to hold it all.

Answer 6

The scripture does not tell us what happen to Joseph but it does not have to because we know that all people will die. Romans 5: 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: There was only one person that lived on the earth that don't sin and that was the Lord Jesus Christ and that was because He was God magnified in the flesh. He came to earth as a man so He could die for our sin. Philippians 2: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Philippians 2: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Philippians 2: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Answer 7

He most likely had died prior to Jesus' ministry.

As to why Mary was entrusted to John and not to her other sons, is because at that time,

only Mary was exercising faith in Jesus, and not his half brothers.

John was called the beloved by Jesus, and he would have wanted his mother be taken care of both physically and spiritually.

It was later that James and Jude became believers.

Answer 8

The writers of the Gospels realized that since they now were saying that Jesus was a god in human form, then his human "adoptive" father was irrelevant. So they didn't make up any stories about him.
The writers of Matthew and Luke did try and make a connection to the lineage of David, so as to attract Jews to the new religion, but they contradict each other.

Answer 9

My mom (who was a church secretary for 2 decades and who regularly attends Bible study) has a theory that he died. It would explain why Jesus didn't start teaching until later in life - he had to stay home to take care of Mary.

Answer 10

I don't believe their was a Joseph in the first place, that was slander spread by the Jews wanted division. They wanted to confuse the people into thinking if she was married it could be his son to cause doubt in the hearts of the believers. No wonder it took so long to kick start Christianity.