Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is last mentioned in the Bible when Jesus was about 12 years old (the episode of finding Jesus in the temple), after which he disappears from the Gospel narratives
. This absence strongly suggests that Joseph died before Jesus began his public ministry, which started around the age of 30
. Catholic tradition holds that Joseph died peacefully in the presence of Jesus and Mary, likely when Jesus was an adolescent, around 18 or 19 AD
. The fact that Jesus entrusted the care of his mother Mary to the Apostle John at the crucifixion implies Joseph was no longer alive at that time
. While the New Testament does not explicitly mention Joseph’s death, church fathers and biblical scholars generally agree he died before Jesus' ministry began
. Some apocryphal writings portray Joseph as an older man who died after raising Mary and Jesus, but these are not considered canonical
. In summary:
- Joseph was a carpenter from Nazareth and the legal, earthly father of Jesus
- He played a key role in Jesus’ early life, protecting and providing for Mary and Jesus
- Joseph is not mentioned during Jesus’ adult ministry, crucifixion, or resurrection, suggesting he died earlier
- Tradition holds he died peacefully, likely before Jesus began his public ministry
- Jesus’ entrusting Mary to John at the cross supports the belief Joseph had passed away by then
Thus, Joseph likely died sometime between Jesus’ childhood and the start of his public ministry, and his death is inferred from his absence in later Gospel accounts and church tradition rather than explicit biblical record.
