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The last time Joseph is mentioned in the Bible is when Jesus was twelve years old. Returning from a trip to Jerusalem, Jesus became separated from His parents, who eventually found Him in the templ...
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Joseph is mentioned at numerous times during the early childhood of Jesus, but he was mentioned when Jesus was twelve years old. At that age, Jesus had stayed behind at the temple while His parents searched for Him for three days (Luke 2:41-50). Scholars believe this happened approximately 12 A.D and Joseph was still alive. Jesus began His public ministry around 30 A.D. at "about thirty years of age" (Luke 3:23. Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from Heaven? (Jn 6:42.) As a last resort for some excuse for their unbelief they could always fall back on this one (Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3; Lk 4:22). This verse may prove Joseph still alive. In Jn 9:29, the religious leaders spoke the truth, which confession alone should have moved each one to make an honest investigation of the claims of Christ if Ge is son of God. On several occasions His enemies claimed they knew all about Him, that He was the son of Joseph and not God's son (Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3; Jn 6:42; 7:27, 52). This verse may prove Joseph still alive. But when Jesus Christ was concerned about the welfare of His. Mother in His dying hour. Joseph was now dead and His brethren were not yet convinced that He was the Messiah. He turned His mother over to the care of His disciples. Most scholars assume Joseph might have died when he was doing earth ministry between 30 A.D. and 33 A.D.
We can guess and speculate about many such things, but we will not know in this lifetime. Rather ask yourself when studying the scriptures "why did God preserved THIS scripture for me to read, know and understand". He preserved a whole lot and I believe that those things recorded in the Bible were not by accident. They are and were what God wanted us to know and to understand. We need to know Him, to understand Him as much as possible in order to serve Him in away that is pleasing to Him. Search the scriptures daly to show ourselves approved. See Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:13 also Luke 24:27 God Bless
Joseph in all likelihood survived until Jesus was in his late 20's. We all know Joseph was a carpenter. However the proper translation is "Master Builder" This is a higher skilled level of profession as opposed to some type of day or casual laborer or craftsman. In today's vernacular it should be thought of as a designing contractor or architect / builder. Of necessity, joseph was an employer. The only building discovered in Capernaum (where it is believed Joseph plied his trade) large enough to house a wood shop also had a boat ramp or slide, sized to manage the 12 cubit fishing boats the area was known for. I=This is not proof of anything but is exemplar of the size / type of business Joseph and his sons were in. Jesus was the first born, dedicated to the Lord and there is clear evidence he met the usual requirements to become a Rabbi by age 30. This means that he spent more time studying than working the family business. He would provide some work and a lot of leadership in the business as his younger brother James, was groomed to take over the business. Normal trade apprenticeship and experience would have put James in his late mid 20's when he would be able to assume control / leadership of the family business. Likely Joseph was about 50 when he died, Mary about 46 or so when she was widowed, Jesus 28-29, His next eldest brother who took over the Family business 26-27. At the time of the wedding in Cana, Mary was probably a widow for over a year. This was close to Jesus being ordained or assuming the role and title of Rabbi at age 30.
Joseph is not the only Bible character that went into obscurity. Nothing is mentioned about Mary the mother of Jesus after Acts 1. Some suggest that Joseph may have died after Jesus came of age but there is no biblical evidence to back the claim. I am persuaded that God superintended the rising of Jesus into prominence so that other other family members may decrease. John the Baptist says of Jesus in John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease" I believe Joseph may have lived on to old age but since he was not the focus of the Bible writers, little is mentioned about him in the same was that Mary faded away after Acts 1.
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