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IV. 2 -- Conclusions

Despite the difficulties mentioned above, Joseph's identity in the Gospels is quite clear and consistent. He is present for what he contributes to the identity of Jesus. The reality of the Incarnation required the Son of God to share the human condition by having a human heritage and an upbringing by a human father. The evangelists communicate the truth about Joseph's manner of fulfilling his role as father to the Messiah. With regard to this role, there is emphatic agreement.

The following conclusions about the person of Joseph can safely be drawn from the New Testament data. They are divided into three general categories.

IV. 2.1 Betrothed and Husband to Mary

1) Joseph was betrothed to Mary when the conception occurred, but had no sexual relations with her.

2) After the conception Joseph took Mary into his home as his wife.

3) Joseph and Mary together shared their faith in the mystery and cooperated in fulfilling their mission to be parents to the Son of God.

4) As spouses Joseph and Mary showed each other all the love and affection that resulted from their experience of God's love and that contributed to providing a loving human family for Jesus.

IV. 2.2 Father of Jesus

5) Because of the betrothal, Joseph was true, legal, genealogical father to Jesus, without being his biological father.

6) Joseph was of the line of David, and therefore passed on to Jesus the Davidic descent prophesied for the Messiah.

7) Joseph was in Bethlehem for the birth of Christ.

8) Joseph participated in naming the child "Jesus," "Savior."

9) Joseph exercised his role as father with affection, provided for the child, was concerned for his well-being, protected and defended him, educated him in a profession and in the practice of obedience and religious observance.

10) Joseph was a carpenter, or worker in some other hard material.

11) Joseph lived in Nazareth of Galilee, and was therefore religiously, socially, and economically marginalized in the eyes of the Jerusalem authorities.

12) Joseph raised Jesus at Nazareth in a way that appeared totally ordinary.

13) People knew Jesus as Joseph's son.

14) Joseph never competed or interfered with Jesus' mission, but faded from the scene when the time came to proclaim his divine Sonship, presumably having died by then.

IV. 2.3 Model of Faith-Filled Response to God

15) Joseph was the last in the line of patriarchs who awaited fulfillment of the promise, and was especially prefigured by his Old Testament namesake.

16) Joseph was the recipient of divine communication, whereby he received a special vocation to function as husband to Mary and father to Jesus.

17) Joseph was a man of exceptional faith, justice, and obedience.

18) Joseph was a model disciple, an anticipation of the Church.

19) With Mary, Joseph cooperated in the mystery of the Incarnation in a unique way shared by no one else, not even the apostles.

The New Testament unquestionably presents the person of Joseph as the just and obedient son of David, chosen by God as husband to Mary and father to the Son of God and Messiah. He is father as a result of his betrothal and his response to the divine call. With Mary he is an unparalleled model of faith-filled collaboration with God's designs. He is an example of obedience to God, who in Jesus became subject to him.

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