Joseph the Dreamer
jay_emm
Kerygmania Host
in Kerygmania
We had the gospel passage of the journey to Egypt and back today, and it struck me that new testament Joseph both gets and acts on a large number of dreams.
Specifically marrying Mary, going to Egypt, returning from Egypt and going to Nazerath.
By default I tend to think of him to the side (probably from Luke and combined-Nativity gospels).
But in Matthew, he really does seem to have a really active role.
a) are there traditions that go into him as more than just an ok step-dad?
b) why did Matthew write that. Is there some cultural dynamics in Matthews reporting (why not in like)?
c) three of them are 'Angels' in dreams (1:20, 2:13, 2:19), is there anything to say? The one just after the magi left is suspiciously close to what hed have heard in sleep...
d) In 2:12 the magi go a different route because of a dream, but it doesn't say it's their dream (the same is true for Joseph's in 2:22). I don't think it adds anything, even if you were doing a Joseph centric nativity.
Specifically marrying Mary, going to Egypt, returning from Egypt and going to Nazerath.
By default I tend to think of him to the side (probably from Luke and combined-Nativity gospels).
But in Matthew, he really does seem to have a really active role.
a) are there traditions that go into him as more than just an ok step-dad?
b) why did Matthew write that. Is there some cultural dynamics in Matthews reporting (why not in like)?
c) three of them are 'Angels' in dreams (1:20, 2:13, 2:19), is there anything to say? The one just after the magi left is suspiciously close to what hed have heard in sleep...
d) In 2:12 the magi go a different route because of a dream, but it doesn't say it's their dream (the same is true for Joseph's in 2:22). I don't think it adds anything, even if you were doing a Joseph centric nativity.
Comments
I don't understand why people bad-mouth him.
We assume Joseph was a carpenter, because when Jesus tried to preach and heal people in Nazareth, the people asked if Jesus was the son of a carpenter.
There is no indication of what happened to Joseph after the final trip to Jerusalem, but we can assume he may have died sometime thereafter since it appears Mary becomes a widow. We find Mary interacting with Jesus at the wedding feast in Cana, and then Mary and his brothers try to intervene as Jesus' ministry is taking off--and getting noticed by those in authority who were opposed what Jesus was saying and doing.
Joseph, though, plays a key role in the NT story, naming Jesus, raising him as his son, probably teaching him the skills of the carpenter trade, modeling what it means to be a righteous man--honoring God while showing mercy to others.
Slight correction: they asked if Jesus was the son of “the carpenter,” not of “a carpenter.”
I had thought of it merely as a odd near coincidence.
But it makes some sense that it influenced Matthew, if only between calling the same thing a dream or vision. Especially as it must be quite a hazy third hand account by then.
Not necessarily third hand at all. And of course Matthew would have noticed the parallel between the dream-related aspects of the two Josephs.
I've also been thinking about the suggestion that maybe Joseph was just dreaming of what was most on his mind while awake, and therefore these dreams were only natural. But when i look at my own experience, I can't manipulate my own dreaming at all, even when i set out deliberately to focus on certain subjects as I'm falling asleep. I don't think i could do it once, let alone five times.
Something to notice. The first Joseph brought Isreal to Egypt because of a famine. The second Joseph took mother and child to escape Herod''s wrath.
You’re right! I never noticed that till now. 😮
How do you suggest Matthew might hear Joseph's account more directly?
That's also what I assumed, largely due to Andrew Lloy...err, I mean, my extensive knowledge of biblical literature.
From Jesus Himself, or Mary, or others in the know among the Apostles.
(Yes, I know various recent scholars dispute St. Matthew’s authorship of St. Matthew’s Gospel.)
I hadn't thought of the brother's. or thought of Joseph knowing the Galilean apostles (or a younger Mary, which would be sort of third hand)
There's not too much complex info in the passage anyway.
*Or first formal recorder of that account.