Rachel Evans
There are varying opinions on whether St. Joseph was a widower. The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew and the Protoevangelium of James, a second-century text, describe Joseph as a widower with children from a previous marriage. The Protoevangelium's account states that after the Virgin Mary turned twelve, widowers were sought to marry her, and Joseph was chosen by God. However, the Catholic Church teaches that Mary remained a perpetual virgin, and Jerome, a theologian, argued that Jesus' brothers were cousins, eliminating the need to believe Joseph was a widower. The Church has always understood that the brothers and sisters of the Lord in Scripture refer to children of Mary's relative and not Joseph's children. While there is no consensus, the belief that St. Joseph was a widower has persisted in some traditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| St. Joseph's marital status | There are varying beliefs. Some sources claim he was a widower, while others believe he was a virgin. |
| St. Joseph's age | Some sources claim he was an old man, while others believe he was young. |
| St. Joseph's children | It is believed that references to Jesus' "brothers" were children of Joseph from a previous marriage, or cousins. |
| St. Joseph's death | The New Testament does not mention Joseph's death, but he is believed to have died sometime between Jesus' thirteenth year and his public ministry. |
| St. Joseph's spouse | The belief that St. Joseph was the husband of Mary is derived from the writings of Jerome. |
| St. Joseph's patronages | He is the patron and protector of the Catholic Church, the sick, and a holy death. |
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What You'll Learn
St. Joseph's age
It is believed that St. Joseph was likely a mature man, possibly in his forties or older, when he was betrothed to Mary, the mother of Jesus. This assumption is based on several factors, including the cultural and historical context of the time, as well as hints from the Bible and traditional beliefs.
In the Gospel of Luke, Joseph is referred to as a "τέκτων" (tekton), which is typically translated as "carpenter," but can also mean a skilled craftsman or builder. This indicates that Joseph likely had an established trade and was probably not a young man starting his career. Additionally, Joseph is never mentioned as being present during Jesus' public ministry, suggesting that he may have passed away by then, which would further support the idea that he was of advanced age when Jesus was born.
Another factor to consider is the social and cultural norms of the time. In first-century Judea, it was common for men to be in their thirties or older when they married. Additionally, the responsibility entrusted to Joseph, as the protector and caregiver of Mary and Jesus, suggests a level of maturity and life experience.
Traditional beliefs and artistic depictions often portray Joseph as an older man with a beard, further reinforcing the idea of his advanced age. This image of a wise and caring elder has been a source of devotion and inspiration for centuries.
While the exact age of St. Joseph cannot be known with certainty, a thoughtful examination of the historical and cultural context, as well as traditional beliefs, points to the likelihood that he was a mature man when he became the earthly father and guardian of Jesus. This understanding adds depth to the story of Jesus' birth and family life, and it underscores the important role that St. Joseph plays in the Christian tradition as a model of faithfulness, dedication, and paternal love.
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Virginity of St. Joseph
The idea of St. Joseph's virginity is a topic of discussion among Catholic scholars. Some sources suggest that the term "virginity" in relation to St. Joseph refers to "external or bodily virginity" in the context of the Latin Fathers. This interpretation signifies the natural state of physiological integrity that individuals are born with and is lost through sexual intercourse. However, interpretations by medieval and later ecclesiastical writers imply that St. Joseph took a vow of virginity or had a resolve to remain a virgin, indicating "formal or internal virginity."
The Protoevangelium of James, a popular second-century text, portrays St. Joseph as an elderly widower entrusted with the protection of the Virgin Mary. In this account, Joseph is chosen by God to marry Mary and preserve her pledged virginity. Joseph initially refuses, citing his age and the fact that he already has children. Despite his reluctance, Joseph accepts his role in safeguarding Mary's virginity, even after the birth of Jesus.
The depiction of St. Joseph as a widower in the Protoevangelium has led to differing interpretations of his relationship with Mary. Some scholars, like St. Epiphanius, argue that St. James, referred to as the "brother of Jesus," was Joseph's son from a previous marriage. This interpretation supports the belief that Joseph was a widower before marrying Mary. However, St. Jerome offers a different perspective, suggesting that the "'brothers' of Jesus" were more likely first cousins, as the Aramaic term "brothers" can have a broader familial meaning.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses the objection that the Bible mentions brothers and sisters of Jesus. The Church interprets these passages as referring to children of a relative of Mary, such as Mary, the wife of Clopas, rather than indicating that Mary herself had other children. This interpretation aligns with the belief in Mary's Perpetual Virginity, which is considered infallible within the Catholic Church.
While the virginity of St. Joseph is not explicitly stated in Scripture, the concept of a virginal marriage between Joseph and Mary is often implied. The Gospel references to St. Joseph in Matthew and Luke, such as Joseph's genealogy, can provide insights into his life and role in protecting and providing for Mary and Jesus.
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St. Joseph's first wife
The belief that St. Joseph was a widower is based on the assumption that he was an old man when he married Mary, the mother of Jesus. This belief is supported by sources such as the Protoevangelium of James, a second-century text from the East, which claims that Joseph was 90 years old when he married Mary and that he had initially refused, saying that he already had children and was ashamed of the age difference. The History of Joseph the Carpenter, a 5th-century text, also supports this idea, stating that Joseph was a widower with four sons and two daughters when he took on the 12-year-old Mary into his household.
However, the identification of these "brothers of Jesus" as the children of Joseph from a previous marriage is not universally accepted. St. Jerome, for instance, argued that these "brothers" were more likely to be first cousins, as the Aramaic word "brothers" can be used to refer to a broader range of familial relationships. The Gospel of Mark, one of the earliest sources, does not mention Jesus' father at all, and the first appearance of Joseph is in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, which focus on establishing Jesus' Davidic descent through different sons of King David.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, which names Joseph's first wife as Salome, holds that Joseph was a widower before marrying Mary. They believe that references to Jesus' "brothers" were children of Joseph from a previous marriage. This is also supported by St. Epiphanius, who argued that St. James, one of the "brothers of Jesus", was Joseph's son from his first marriage, rather than a relative.
Another source, attributed to St. Jerome, mentions that Joseph married a woman named Melcha or Escha, also known as Salome, at the age of 40. They had six children together and lived for 49 years until she died. A year later, when Joseph was 90, he was chosen to marry Mary, who was 12 to 14 years old at the time.
The belief that St. Joseph was a widower is not universally accepted, and there are alternative interpretations of the biblical texts and extra-biblical sources that provide different perspectives on the matter.
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St. Joseph's children
There are varying beliefs about St. Joseph's children. Some people believe that Joseph was a widower and that the “brothers” of Jesus mentioned in the Bible were Joseph’s children from a previous marriage. St. Epiphanius, for instance, argued that St. James “was Joseph’s son by Joseph’s first wife, not by Mary." The Protoevangelium of James, a popular second-century text, also supports this view. According to the Protoevangelium, Joseph was an old man with children when he married Mary.
However, others argue that the “brothers” of Jesus were more likely first cousins, as the term "brothers" in Aramaic can be used to refer to a broader category of familial relationships. St. Mark mentions two of these "brothers", James and Joses, who he later describes as the sons of another Mary, likely Mary, the wife of Clopas. This suggests that they were not Joseph's sons from a previous marriage but rather the sons of Mary and Clopas, who was traditionally believed to be Joseph’s brother. This view, attributed to St. Jerome, eliminates the need to believe that Joseph was a widower.
Regardless of these differing interpretations, the Catholic Church teaches that Mary remained a perpetual virgin, and this teaching is considered infallible. The Church also holds that the "brothers and sisters of the Lord" mentioned in Scripture refer to children of a relative of Mary's, and not to other children of the Virgin Mary herself.
Separately, there are several hospitals named St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. These include hospitals in Paterson, New Jersey and Tampa Bay, Florida. These hospitals specialize in pediatric care and are known for their expertise in pediatric heart and cancer treatment. They offer a range of services, including inpatient and outpatient care, a pediatric emergency department, and a pediatric intensive care unit.
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St. Joseph's death
It is believed by some that St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus, was a widower. However, this is not explicitly stated in the Bible or any other ancient texts, and it is largely based on tradition and speculation. The Bible does not provide many details about St. Joseph's life, and his death is not directly mentioned in the Scriptures. However, based on available information and traditional beliefs, we can infer some details about the end of his life and death.
St. Joseph is often portrayed as an older man in art and tradition, and it is believed he likely passed away when Jesus was still quite young, although the exact timing is not known. One apocryphal text, the "History of Joseph the Carpenter," suggests that Joseph was 111 years old when he died, but this is not widely accepted as factual. It is generally believed that Joseph died before Jesus began his public ministry, as there is no mention of Joseph during that time, and Jesus is often referred to as "the son of Mary," implying that his father was no longer present.
According to tradition, St. Joseph died in the presence of Mary and Jesus, who were at his bedside. This is based on ancient texts that describe Mary and Jesus caring for Joseph during an illness, and it is believed that he received the sacraments and blessings from Jesus before passing away peacefully. Some traditions hold that Joseph may have died in Nazareth, where he lived with Mary and Jesus, or possibly in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Joseph on March 19, which is believed to be the anniversary of his death and passage into eternal life. This feast day honors his life as a faithful and just man, a caring husband, and a dedicated father figure to Jesus. In art, St. Joseph is often depicted holding lilies, which represent his purity and virtue, and a carpenter's square, symbolizing his trade.
While the details of St. Joseph's death may not be known with certainty, his life and dedication to Mary and Jesus have had a profound impact on Christian tradition and devotion. He is considered the patron saint of workers, fathers, and a happy death, among other things, and his intercession is sought by many Catholics. Devotions to St. Joseph often include prayers for a peaceful death, reflecting the belief that he himself passed away peacefully in the presence of his sacred family.
In summary, while the Bible does not provide explicit details, tradition and speculation paint a picture of St. Joseph's death as a peaceful passing, surrounded by his beloved wife Mary and their son Jesus. His death is believed to have occurred before Jesus' public ministry, and his life continues to be honored and celebrated by Christians, especially on his feast day, March 19.
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Frequently asked questions
There are conflicting beliefs about St. Joseph's marital status before meeting Mary. Some believe he was a widower with children from a previous marriage, while others believe he was a virgin.
The Protoevangelium of James, also known as the Gospel of James, is a second-century text that presents Joseph as an old widower chosen by God to marry and watch over the Virgin Mary.
The writings of St. Jerome suggest that Joseph was Mary's husband, and references to Jesus' "brothers" in the Bible should be understood to mean cousins.
Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the patron and protector of the Catholic Church. He is also the patron of the sick and of a holy death, as he is believed to have died in the presence of Jesus and Mary.
Some traditions and texts, such as the Protoevangelium, portray Joseph as significantly older than Mary, possibly in his nineties when Jesus was born. This belief was intended to protect Mary's perpetual virginity.
