Who were Joseph’s parents? Was he married before his betrothal to Mary?What does the perpetual virginity of Mary mean?

Who was Joseph's father? Was he married before his bethrothal to Mary?
Matthew says that Jacob was the father of Joseph. Luke says that Eli was the father of Joseph. Reconciling these two texts is a challenge indeed. Suffice it to say that there is scant evidence about the birth family of Joseph; however, the Gospels relate that he was of the lineage of King David. This aspect of the genealogy of Joseph is most theologically important because it supports the gospel writers’ intention to show that Jesus was the true heir of David, the greatest king of Israel. Hence the birth of Christ took place in the town of David, Bethlehem.

Many of the apocryphal gospels speculate on the origins of Joseph. The strange details that come up from these accounts demonstrate that while we are eager to know more about Christ, attempts at rewriting history can do great damage to cherished dogmas and tradition. I often marvel at the mystery of Christ. We know so little about him, yet what we know is enough for this life and the life to come.

Once again, the apocryphal gospels narrate that Joseph was married before he became espoused to Mary, and that he had children from this marriage. There is no definitive dogma on this aspect of the life of Joseph, and many saints allow for that possibility. What is clear from Scripture and Tradition is that Joseph was a just and pious man who was able to devote himself totally to the care of the Holy Family. Our artistic patrimony portrays Joseph as an elderly man at the time of the birth of Christ. That would imply that if there were a wife and children from a previous marriage, the situation was such that Joseph was free from any family obligations that would impede his total dedication to Mary and Jesus.


What does the perpetual virginity of Mary mean?
That Mary conceived Jesus miraculously by the power of the Holy Spirit is well attested in Scripture. This is an article of our faith that has been held and taught consistently.

Throughout history, there has been discussion as to Mary remaining a virgin during the birth of Jesus and afterward. The apocryphal Gospel of James has a fascinating claim by the midwife at the birth of Jesus that Mary remained physically a virgin after the birth of Christ.

The church has taught that Mary and Joseph refrained from marital relations after the birth of Jesus, and that Mary remained a virgin perpetually. Mary was so devoted to the will of God that she lived the chaste life of a perpetual virgin in honor of her unique status as the Mother of God. This is defined by as dogma by the Catholic Church.

Mary and Joseph thus did not have any children together. That Joseph had children from a previous marriage is a possibility, but in general the saints have taught that Joseph too remained a virgin, to be totally devoted to the Holy Family. The Catholic church teaches that the word “brothers” as used in Matthew 12:46 and parallel texts could mean step-brother or cousin, but does not refer to a blood brother of Jesus.

The scriptures give ample evidence to say that Mary was the mother of Jesus, but it doesn’t refer to any other of her sons. Also, the text in John where Jesus entrusts his Mother to the beloved disciple stands as testimony that there were no other children who would have the obligation to take care of Mary after Christ’s death.