See also Jesus Christ; Mary, Mother of Jesus

Husband of Mary, mother of Jesus. Joseph was a descendant of David (Matt. 1: 1-16; Luke 3: 23-38) and lived in Nazareth. He was espoused to Mary. Just before their marriage, Mary received a visit from the angel Gabriel, who announced that Mary had been chosen to be the mother of the Savior (Luke 1: 26-35). Joseph also received revelation of this divine birth (Matt. 1: 20-25).

Mary was Jesus’ only earthly parent because God the Father was Jesus’ father. But the Jews thought of Joseph as Jesus’ father, and Jesus treated him as such (Luke 2: 48, 51). Warned by heavenly dreams, Joseph preserved the infant Jesus’ life by fleeing to Egypt (Matt. 2: 13-14). After Herod died, an angel instructed Joseph to take the Christ child back to Israel (Matt. 2: 19-23).