The Life of St Joseph (Matthew 1:18-2:23)

St Joseph is probably best-known for his key role in the Nativity, travelling with his pregnant wife to Bethlehem and caring for the Christ child in the manger. However, there are several other episodes recorded in the gospels that tell us more about him and of his important role in the life of Christ.

As Pope Benedict XVI explained: “The figure of this great Saint, even though remaining somewhat hidden, is of fundamental importance in the history of salvation. Above all, as part of the tribe of Judah, he united Jesus to the Davidic lineage so that, fulfilling the promises regarding the Messiah, the Son of the Virgin Mary may truly be called the “son of David”.

He went on: “The Gospel of Matthew highlights in a special way the Messianic prophecies which reached fulfilment through the role that Joseph played:  the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (2:1-6); his journey through Egypt, where the Holy Family took refuge (2:13-15); the nickname, the “Nazarene” (2:22-23).”

The pope concluded: “In all of this he showed himself, like his spouse Mary, an authentic heir of Abraham’s faith: faith in God who guides the events of history according to his mysterious salvific plan. His greatness, like Mary’s, stands out even more because his mission was carried out in the humility and hiddenness of the house of Nazareth.”

St Joseph first appears in the record of Christ’s family tree, as a descendant of King David (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38). As noted by the pope, this is important for proving that Christ is the “new David”. He is then introduced in St Matthew’s gospel as “a righteous man”, who after a vision of an angel, marries Mary and adopts the newborn Christ child as his own (Matthew 1:18-25).

St Luke’s account of the birth of Christ explains that it took place in Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David, because of St Joseph’s royal descent from him (2:4). After Christ was born, the story of the Flight into Egypt presents St Joseph as a man of action, who responds immediately to the angel’s messages concerning his travel to and from Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21).

From the episode of the Presentation at the Temple, we learn that St Joseph was faithful to the Law and that also, he was not a rich man (shown by the offering of two doves or pigeons; Luke 2:22-24; Leviticus 5:7). In the other Temple story, where he took his family on a yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem, we are again reminded of how seriously he took his faith (Luke 2:41-42).

Finally, in the hidden life of the Holy Family in Nazareth, we read of his role in Christ’s upbringing (Luke 2:51; 4:16,22). After that, this is the last we hear of him in the gospels. Since he was not present at the wedding in Cana, or at Christ’s own death, this suggests that he had died before Christ began his ministry.

This low-relief carved stone panel of St Joseph with the Christ child is by Joseph Cribb, who was a member of the artistic Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic. It originally belonged to the sanctuary of the guild’s chapel in Ditchling, before being donated to the church of St Teresa in Northiam by Cribb’s son. Carved in the 1920s, it captures a tender moment between Christ and his foster-father.

As a symbol of his occupation as a carpenter, St Joseph is pictured with a saw under his arm. The Latin quotation is the gradual chant from the Feast of St Joseph, and it means ‘Of whatever trouble they cry to me, I will hear them and I will always be their protector.’ This refers to St Joseph’s role as custodian of Jesus, and of the Church as a whole. The intertwined initials are of Mary and Jesus, and Joseph and Dominic, as the patrons of Cribb’s Guild.

See the whole image:

Where to find this work of art
St Teresa of Lisieux, Northiam

Read the relevant passage
Matthew 1:18-2:23

On a similar theme

• From the Old Testament: Joseph’s life in Egypt, as told in Genesis, has traditionally been viewed as a prophetic sign of St Joseph’s own life.
• From the New Testament: In the story of the Flight into Egypt, St Joseph has a major role.