Who is Mary and Joseph?

Answer 1

AnswerJoseph and Mary were Jewish people who lived in Israel. Joseph earned a living via carpentry. Modern day biblical scholars agree that Mary was from the Jewish tribe of Levi and Joseph was from the Jewish Tribe of Judah.

When Mary reached puberty, she became engaged to Joseph, a good man. Joseph safeguarded her until she became pregnant. Christians believe that this child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Even though, at first Joseph strongly doubted Mary, he was told via a dream (by an Angel) that Mary was telling the truth.

During that time, Augustus Caesar decreed that all people be registered in their cities of ancestry. Joseph went to Bethlehem, his ancestral city and took Mary with him. At that time Mary felt it was time for the Holy Child to be delivered and she gave birth to her first born child. He was named Jesus.

After Christ's birth, he was circumcised and was first paid homage to by shepherds in nearby fields. He was presented to the Lord in the Temple and in the temple, an official named Simeon prophesied about Jesus and warned Mary that she too shall share in the sufferings of Christ.

Some time later Magi (wise students of the stars) came too from the East to pay homage to him. Herod, the Jewish king, made plans to kill Jesus of whom he had been informed by the Magi. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and ordered him to take Mary and the child to Egypt where they stayed until the Lord again commanded them via an angel to return to Nazareth.

While in Nazareth, Mary and Joseph continued to nurture Jesus along with his younger brothers and sisters who had also been born by now.

By the time of Christ's ministry, Joseph was already dead. Jesus left home, though he did keep contact with His mother. As an example, Mary met Jesus when he came to preach in His hometown. Finally, they met again when Christ was crucified.

From the Cross, Jesus, as the oldest son, had the responsibility of care for his mother as a widow. This care he passed on to John, his closest disciple, who, from that moment, took her into his home until her death.