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JOSEPH THE CRAFTSMAN
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| Jerusalem Stone Craftsmen (About 1890 A.D.) |
Joseph, Jesus’ adoptive father, worked as a craftsman. Customarily, he would have trained Jesus to follow the same vocation[1] and likely prepared Jesus’ brothers[2] to work in the family business as well.
The majority of translators utilize the word “carpenter” to convey the occupation of Joseph. Xulourgós (zü-lŏür-gŏ́s), the Greek word properly translated carpenter, literally means “wood worker.” Yet, no writer used xulourgós anywhere in the New Testament.
Matthew employed the Greek word téktonos (tĕ́k-tŏn-ŏs)[3] to describe Joseph’s trade. Téktonos forms the genitive[4] case of the Greek noun tékton (tĕ́k-tōn), which means “craftsman.” Bystanders in Nazareth identified Jesus as a tékton (craftsman),[5] not a xulourgós (wood worker).
The work performed by a tékton (craftsman) could involve stone, wood, metal, or any combination of those materials, depending on the context in which a writer employed the word. Luke referred to the silversmiths in Ephesus as craftsmen,[6] calling them teknítais (tĕk-nĭ́-täĭs), the plural of teknítas (tĕk-nĭ́-tās), a close synonym of tékton. Since no biblical text mentions the exact material with which Joseph or Jesus worked, anyone who identifies them as carpenters has done so based on legend. Instead, consider the environmental and cultural contexts of their day.
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| Jerusalem Stone Craftsmen (About 1900 A.D.) |
In ancient Judea, a tékton (craftsman) utilized stone to fabricate buildings,[7] city walls,[8] houses,[9] animal troughs,[10] water pots,[11] millstones,[12] and numerous other commodities.[13] They found stone readily available and inexpensive, while craft-quality wood remained rare (imported from other areas) and expensive. Considering these facts, Joseph and Jesus probably worked as common stone craftsmen, not as prosperous wood craftsmen skilled in fine artistic design.[14]
Joseph’s Fate
History does not disclose how or when Joseph passed away. Luke’s book contains the last recorded activity of Joseph’s life, when he took Mary and twelve-year-old Jesus to attend the annual Passover celebration in Jerusalem.[15] In all probability, Mary’s lack of a husband led Jesus, in the midst of His crucifixion, to commit His mother to the care of His trusted friend John, one of His apostles.[16] Joseph must have died sometime between Jesus’ twelfth birthday and His crucifixion.
All for Jesus,
All for Jesus,
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[1] Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3
[2] Matthew 12:46-47; 13:55-56; Mark 3:31-32; Luke 8:19-20; John 7:3-5,10
[3] Matthew 13:55
[4] The Greek grammatical genitive case denotes possession or a relation similar to possession as in “the son of the craftsman” (Matthew 13:55 BT).
[5] “Is this not the craftsman” (Mark 6:3 Bagby Translation).
[6] Acts 19:24
[7] Mark 13:1-2; Luke 21:5-6
[8] Luke 19:43-44
[9] 1 Peter 2:4-5
[10] Luke 2:7,12,16; Ancient writers of English, 14th century A.D. and later, referred to an animal trough as a manger. For additional information regarding the animal troughs of ancient Israel, see the book Born to Die (by Chuck Bagby), “Chapter 5 – The Magi Meet Jesus, King of the Jews,” heading “The Star Stood above Where the Child Was (Matthew 2:9).”
[11] John 2:6
[12] Matthew 18:6; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2
[13] Matthew 27:60
[14] Joseph did not make a living as a wealthy craftsman. For more information regarding his financial resources, see the book Born to Die (by Chuck Bagby), “Chapter 4 – The Magi Meet Herod, King of Judea,” heading “His Star (Matthew 2:2),” subheading “When Did the Magi Arrive in Bethlehem?,” subheading “Six-Week Time-Period.”
[15] Luke 2:41-51; Also see the book Born to Die (by Chuck Bagby), “Appendix 1: 12-Year-Old Jesus in Temple.”
[16] John 19:27
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