Joseph the Father of Jesus

A Tract Book Essay

By

Anthony J. Fejfar, J.D., Esq., Coif

© Copyright 2007 by Anthony J. Fejfar

Since I was a kid I always wondered a lot about Joseph, the earthly

Father of Jesus of Nazareth. It is clear that Joseph was around the house

during the early childhood of Jesus. Joseph and Mary have to get Jesus

back from the Temple where the young Jesus was debating theology and

philosophy with the Jewish elders. After this incident with the elders,

Joseph is seemingly no longer mentioned in the Gospel, although Mary is.

It is argued by some that Joseph died while Jesus was still young, and

thus the lack of discussion of Joseph in the Gospels. I would like to

propose another interpretation of the biblical data, I would like to argue that

Joseph, like Jesus after him, was subjected to persecution for the charge of

penury. Rather than stay in Nazareth and face persecution for penury, it is

my argument that Joseph left town and went to Jerusalem to start a new life.

I argue that later in the Gospel, Joseph reappears as Joseph of Arimethea.

Apparently, if one survives penuring, then one can become rich, as was

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Joseph of Arimethea. Joseph of Arimethea was a disciple of Jesus, and

apparently was present at the crucifixion of Jesus, and later had enough clout

to ask Pilate for Jesus’ body, so that it could be buried in a tomb owned by

Joseph. Jesus was then buried in the tomb provided by Joseph of

Arimethea.

So, I argue that Joseph did not abandon Jesus, but rather was

compelled to go to Jerusalem under the assumed name of Joseph of

Arimethea, rather than Joseph of Nazareth. Joseph was thus a follower

and supporter of Jesus, was present throughout the public ministry of Jesus,

and was with Jesus at his death on the Cross. I argue that Joseph was a

strong Father figure, and a positive influence in the life of Jesus.