How Old Was Jesus When Joseph Died

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Wed 14 January 2004 1:20 pm

The Prologue of Ochrid text for the Holy and Righteous Joseph on December 31st says that Saint Joseph: "took the most holy Virgin from the Temple into his home at the age of eighty, and entered into rest at the age of a hundred and ten." (Vol. 4, p. 393) If these ages are accurate, then Jesus was somewhere around 30 years old when Joseph died.

For some reason (I guess this is just what I read in Protestant sources), I had always believed that Joseph had died while Jesus was still a child or teenager. So what I'm curious about is, what early written sources discuss the age of Joseph (and/or Jesus) when Joseph died? I'm not saying I wouldn't believe it if it wasn't in a written document, of course; I just want to learn more about this particular tradition.

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Sat 17 January 2004 10:54 am

Is no one answering because no one knows, or because the question was so insignificant and irrelevant that it was offensive? I ask sincerely, I don't want to have offended. It's good to have an answer, though, when Protestants (and others) ask "Why in the world does your Church teach..."

尼古拉前执事 · Sat 17 January 2004 11:10 am

As for me, I have no idea

Грешник · Post by **Грешник** » Sat 17 January 2004 1:57 pm

I do not have textual sources as of yet to back this statement up, but I was told by Fr. George that your assumption is correct. That Jesus was about 30 when His earthly father reposed. I will get the source for you, but I hesitate to post without sources, hence the delay.

Juvenaly

romiosini · Post by **romiosini** » Thu 29 January 2004 1:07 pm

Lord Have Mercy!