How much do we really know about Joseph and Mary beyond the Nativity story?
While their roles as Jesus’s earthly parents are widely recognized, the details of their lives often remain a mystery to many.
How old were they? Did they have other children? What happened to them after Jesus’s birth?
These questions open the door to fascinating insights into their story.
In this article, we’ll explore 7 lesser-known facts about Joseph and Mary that deepen our understanding of their lives, their faith, and the extraordinary part they played in God’s plan.
Prepare to uncover some intriguing details that bring their narrative into sharper focus.
1. The age gap between Mary and Joseph
A fascinating fact about Joseph and Mary is the presumed age gap between them. The Bible doesn’t explicitly mention their ages at the time of their betrothal or Jesus’s birth.
However, cultural and historical context provides some clues.
In Jewish tradition during that era, girls were typically betrothed around the age of 12 or 13. They were considered women upon reaching puberty.
Men, on the other hand, usually got married after they had established themselves economically, often around the age of 18 to 20.
From this, we can infer that Mary was likely in her early teens when she was betrothed to Joseph. Joseph was possibly in his late teens or early twenties.
This substantial age gap was not uncommon in those times. It mirrored the societal norms and expectations of their era.
Despite this age difference, both Mary and Joseph demonstrated remarkable faith and obedience to God’s plan.
2. The timing of their marriage
Another intriguing fact about Joseph and Mary centers on the timing of their marriage.
Did they get married before or after Jesus was born?
The Bible provides some insights into this aspect. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph discovered Mary’s pregnancy after they were betrothed but before they lived together as husband and wife.
An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, explaining that Mary’s pregnancy was divine, and instructed him to take Mary as his wife.
After this divine encounter, Joseph did as the angel commanded.
He took Mary as his wife but “knew her not until she had given birth to a son.”
This phrase is often interpreted to mean that Joseph and Mary did not consummate their marriage until after Jesus’s birth.
So, it seems that while technically married at the time of Jesus’s birth, they lived together as husband and wife only after Jesus was born.
This unusual circumstance reflects the unique role they played in the divine plan for humanity’s redemption.
3. The mystery of their deaths
Now, let’s delve into a more mysterious aspect of their lives – the circumstances of Joseph and Mary’s deaths.
The Bible remains silent on this topic, leaving us with more questions than answers.
Joseph’s last appearance in the Bible is during Jesus’s visit to the temple at the age of twelve. After that, no further mention is made of him, leading many to believe that he may have passed away before Jesus’s public ministry began.
As for Mary, her presence is noted at several key events in Jesus’s life, including his crucifixion. However, the details of her death are not explicitly stated in the Bible.
Early Christian tradition holds that she was assumed into heaven, body, and soul, but the specifics surrounding her passing remain unclear.
Despite this lack of concrete information in the Scriptures, these elements add another layer of intrigue to their story. Their lives, filled with faith and obedience, continue to inspire millions even without definitive knowledge of their earthly ends.
4. Their other children
Did you ever consider that Joseph and Mary had other children after Jesus?
Yes, the Bible references Jesus’s siblings, although their exact numbers and names differ between the Gospel accounts.
In the book of Matthew, four brothers – James, Joses, Simon, and Judas – are mentioned, along with unnamed sisters.
These siblings play minor roles in the New Testament narratives. However, their mention in the scriptures highlights that Mary and Joseph led a typical family life after Jesus’s extraordinary birth, raising multiple children in Nazareth.
This fact further emphasizes their obedience to God’s plan. Despite being entrusted with the upbringing of the Messiah, they carried on with their lives, raising a family and fulfilling their societal roles.
Extra Insight: James, one of Jesus’s brothers, is particularly notable as he later became a leader in the early Christian community in Jerusalem.
5. The divine encounters
Another captivating aspect of Joseph and Mary’s lives is the divine encounters they experienced. Both of them were visited by an angel, who delivered God’s message to them.
In Joseph’s case:
- He was visited in a dream after discovering Mary’s pregnancy.
- The angel reassured him that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
- Joseph was instructed to take Mary as his wife and name the child Jesus.
For Mary:
- The angel Gabriel appeared to her, announcing that she would conceive a child through the Holy Spirit.
- Mary was told that her child would be called the Son of God.
- Despite her initial fear, Mary accepted this message with faith.
These divine encounters are pivotal moments in their lives. They display their obedience and submission to God’s will and set the stage for the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ.
6. The journey to Bethlehem
Let’s not overlook one of the most iconic episodes of their life – the journey to Bethlehem. This trip, taken when Mary was heavily pregnant, is integral to the nativity story.
Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, but they traveled to Bethlehem due to a decree from Caesar Augustus that required everyone to return to their ancestral homes for a census. For Joseph, this was Bethlehem, the city of David.
The journey was not an easy one.
They had to travel approximately 90 miles, a daunting task for a woman in her final stages of pregnancy. Yet, they undertook this journey out of obedience to the earthly law.
Upon reaching Bethlehem, they found no place to stay.
Thus, Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger. This humble birthplace of Jesus underscored his mission on Earth – to identify with the lowly and provide salvation for all mankind, irrespective of their social standing.
7. Their role in Jesus’s early life
Can you imagine the responsibility of raising the Son of God?
The upbringing of Jesus is another crucial aspect to consider when discussing Joseph and Mary.
Despite the supernatural circumstances surrounding Jesus’s birth, Joseph and Mary raised him in a manner typical of their time and culture. They ensured he learned a trade, with Joseph likely teaching Jesus carpentry.
They also religiously followed Jewish customs.
This is evident when they presented Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem for his dedication, as per Jewish law. Another instance is when they traveled to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival.
These actions emphasize their commitment to their faith and their dedication to raising Jesus in a godly manner. Despite their humble status, they played an extraordinary role in nurturing the Messiah during his early life.
Personal insight: As a parent myself, I find their story incredibly inspiring. They navigated extraordinary circumstances with faith and obedience, setting an example for all parents striving to raise children in the way of faith.
Why does understanding Joseph and Mary matter?
Understanding Joseph and Mary offers us a deeper insight into the life of Jesus and the cultural context in which he lived.
It sheds light on the humble beginnings of Christianity, and the extraordinary faith of two ordinary individuals chosen to play a crucial role in God’s divine plan.
Their story is a testament to obedience, faith, and trust in God, even in the face of uncertainty and extraordinary circumstances.
It serves as a reminder that God can use anyone, irrespective of their status or life situation, to fulfill His divine purpose.
- Grasp the societal norms of their era
- Recognize the divine encounters that shaped their lives
- Appreciate the role they played in nurturing Jesus
Their lives serve as an inspiration for us, encouraging us to live out our faith with trust and obedience, just as they did.
What would Jesus say?
Unsure whether to move on from a failed marriage? Struggling with desire and feeling guilty for it? Wanting to live a life Jesus would be proud of?
Let Jesus tell you how to be a good Christian according to the teachings of the Bible.
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