Joseph
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “He will add; increase”
The carpenter of Nazareth, the righteous husband of Mary and the earthly guardian of Jesus, through whom Jesus held legal descent from David.
Biography
Joseph of Nazareth is the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. A carpenter (Matthew 13:55) and a descendant of David (Matthew 1:20), he provided Jesus' legal claim to the Davidic throne.
A just and obedient man
When Mary was found with child, Joseph, "being a just man," resolved to divorce her quietly rather than expose her. An angel reassured him: "fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 1:19–20). Joseph obeyed at once.
Guardian of the child
Joseph named the child Jesus, took the family to Bethlehem and the temple, fled to Egypt to escape Herod, and returned to settle in Nazareth (Matthew 2). The last we see of him is when Jesus is twelve in the temple (Luke 2:42–51); he is presumed to have died before Jesus' public ministry. He embodies quiet, faithful obedience.
Life Timeline
Told by an angel to take Mary as his wife
Flees with the family to Egypt to escape Herod
Settles the family in Nazareth
On the Bible timeline
Joseph belongs to the The Intertestamental Period era (c. 430 – 6 BC).
Family Tree
Drag to pan · use + / − to zoom · tap the + on a relative to expand a generation · click anyone to open their page
Themes & lessons from Joseph
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Joseph appears.
People they appear with
Things in their story
Scripture Appearances
7 verses in 2 booksMatthew5 verses
Matthew 1:19
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Matthew 1:20
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. conceived: Gr. begotten
Matthew 1:24
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Matthew 2:13
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.
Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Frequently asked about Joseph
Who was Joseph in the Bible?
The carpenter of Nazareth, the righteous husband of Mary and the earthly guardian of Jesus, through whom Jesus held legal descent from David.
What does the name Joseph mean?
The name Joseph means “He will add; increase”.
What did Joseph do in the Bible?
Joseph served as carpenter, of the tribe of Judah.
Who were Joseph's children?
Joseph's children include Jesus, James, Joses, Judas, Simon.
Where does Joseph appear in the Bible?
Joseph is mentioned 7 times across 2 books: Matthew, Luke.
What can we learn from Joseph?
The story of Joseph touches on themes of humility of christ, the, nazareth, obedience to god, offence — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Joseph's life.
Sermon Mate
Teaching on Joseph?
Organize your sermon notes, link Scripture passages, and build your outline in Sermon Mate — the workspace for ministry leaders.
Open Sermon Mate →