Despite being one of the most recognized and celebrated figures in Christianity, Joseph is mentioned very little in the Gospels. Across all four Gospels, there isn’t a single quote attributed to the earthly father of Christ.
In the Gospels of Mark and John, Joseph isn’t even directly mentioned. Luke’s Gospel does mention Joseph, but never by himself. The first two chapters of Matthew’s Gospel best illuminate Joseph’s role in the Holy Family.
Everything We Know about Joseph in Under 300 Words
According to Matthew, Joseph and Mary were betrothed but not yet married when Mary was “found to be with child” (1:18). While the Luke tells us Mary had advance notice, Joseph doesn’t seem to have been filled in until after he “resolved to send her away quietly” (1:19).
Fortunately, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream explaining the situation (1:20-21). It is because Joseph has claimed and named the child that the holy family has to go to Bethlehem for the census, leading to the familiar nativity story in Luke chapter 2.
In Matthew, Joseph is warned in a dream to take Mary and the infant Jesus and flee to Egypt to avoid the wrath of Herod (2:13-15).
Joseph follows the angel’s instructions and takes the family to Egypt until another dream informs him that Herod has died and it is safe to return to Israel. Joseph fears that Herod’s son will be just as hostile and—again guided by angels in his dreams—resettles the family in Nazareth instead (2:19-23).
The last biblical mention of Joseph is the discovery in the temple in Luke chapter 2, but Joseph doesn’t play a highly active role. Some Bible scholars suggest that Joseph died early in the life of Jesus, but we just don’t know.
Now that we’ve covered all of the biblical mention of Joseph, what can we learn from him?
Joseph Shows Us “The Heart of a Father”
In his apostolic letter, Patris Corde (Latin for “Heart of a Father”), Pope Francis points out that Joseph naming Jesus is significant because naming establishes a relationship. Mary had a parental relationship with Jesus through birth, and naming establishes a similar relationship for Joseph.
Further, nativity narratives in the Bible fulfill messianic prophecies including one saying the messiah would be of the line of David. Jesus is able to claim this lineage through Joseph in a way that wouldn’t have been possible if Joseph had left Mary to be a single mother as he initially intended.
Joseph’s willingness to “adopt” Jesus is especially significant for foster parents and stepparents. However, as Pope Francis points out in his letter, all parents should see their children in this way. Parenthood isn’t (just) a blood relationship—it’s a commitment that we make to take responsibility for another life.
In articles that I write for this site I sometimes refer to “the child in my life” because I have a special paternal relationship with a girl that isn’t my (biological) daughter. While I can’t “claim” her in the way that her mother does, I care for her, we foster one another’s growth, and I often look to St. Joseph for inspiration in that relationship.
Joseph Shows Us a Father’s Strength
It’s easy to see even Joseph’s actions as “just” following instructions. However, what more should any of us aspire to than to carry out the will of God, something that Joseph does at every opportunity?
We can also learn by reading between the lines of the instruction that he received. An angel did not tell Joseph how to find Mary shelter when they were turned away at the inns of Bethlehem; he handled that on his own.
Throughout their time in Egypt, Joseph’s work provided for them. And, when Herod died, Joseph was concerned about their return before an angel told him—possibly in answer to his prayers for guidance—where to resettle safely.
The Bible gives us lots of guidance in terms of how to care for our families. Joseph is a role model of prayerfully and courageously handling situations for which we seem to be without direction.
Parenting with the Guidance of God
Joseph doesn’t win “world’s greatest dad” because everything always went the way he expected or intended. Joseph wins “world’s greatest dad” because he had the patience, understanding, and love to follow God’s plan no matter what.