Son of Heli and husband of the virgin Mary. His descent could be traced from David by a double line (Matt. 1: 1-16; Luke 3: 23-38). He lived at Nazareth, and espoused Mary, the daughter of his uncle Jacob. It was shortly before the marriage that Mary received the visit from the angel Gabriel. The birth of the child, Jesus, was miraculous, his mother being his only earthly parent; but Joseph was naturally regarded in Nazareth as his father, and the holy child treated him as such (Luke 2: 48, 51). It is probable that Joseph died before the crucifixion (and probably before our Lord’s baptism), as otherwise Mary would hardly have been committed by our Lord to the keeping of John (John 19: 26-27).