
What Happened to Joseph and Mary After the Birth of Jesus?
The story of Joseph and Mary often centers on the miraculous birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. But what happened to Joseph and Mary after the birth of Jesus? Let’s take a closer look at their journey and the key events that followed.
To the Temple
After 40 days passed (Leviticus 12:1-4) from the time of Jesus’s birth, Mary and Joseph, along with baby Jesus travel to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill their biblical obligations. They are going to the Temple for two reasons. Mary was going to offer two turtle doves as a purification offering after giving birth to a son (Leviticus 12:8). Joseph was going to pay the price to redeem his first-born son (Exodus 13:11-13).
The Visit of the Magi
After Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary stayed in Bethlehem for some time. It was during this period that the Magi, or Wise Men, arrived from the East to worship Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-12). Their visit reaffirmed Jesus as the rightful King of the Jews but also provided resources that would later prove invaluable for the family.

The Flight to Egypt
Shortly after the Wise Men departed, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, warning him of King Herod’s plan to kill the child. Acting quickly, Joseph took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15). This journey fulfilled the prophecy, “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1). Egypt served as a place of refuge until Herod’s death, protecting Jesus from harm.
Returning to Nazareth
After Herod’s death, an angel appeared again to Joseph telling him of Herod’s death and instructing him to return to Israel. However, learning that Herod’s son Archelaus was ruling in Judea, Joseph chose to settle in Nazareth in the region of Galilee (Matthew 2:19-23). This move fulfilled another prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.
Life in Nazareth
In Nazareth, Joseph and Mary raised Jesus in a modest, devout Jewish household. Joseph likely continued his trade as a carpenter or builder, and Mary managed their home and growing family. Luke’s Gospel tells us that Jesus,
“And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (Luke 2:40 NKJV).
This period of their lives was marked by ordinary daily rhythms, providing a stable home for Jesus’ grow to adulthood.

The Trip to Jerusalem
One notable event during Jesus’ childhood occurred when He was twelve years old. Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem for the annual Passover festival. Traveling to Jerusalem for holidays was a community events, with family and friends traveling together. On the return journey, they discovered Jesus was missing and found Him three days later in the Temple, discussing Scripture with the teachers. Mary’s words reflect both her concern: “Son, why have you treated us like this?” (Luke 2:48). This event highlighted Jesus’ growing awareness of His mission as Messiah.
Joseph’s Disappearance from the Narrative
Joseph was upright and godly man who raised Jesus to know and love God and His Word (Matthew 1:19). After this Temple incident when Jesus was twelve, Joseph is not mentioned again in the Gospels. While the Bible doesn’t provide details, many scholars believe Joseph passed away before Jesus’ public ministry began. Mary, however, continued to play a significant role, including being present at the crucifixion and among the disciples after the resurrection (John 19:25-27; Acts 1:14).
Mary’s Legacy
Mary’s journey continued as she witnessed Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection. She became a figure of faith and devotion in the early church. Her willingness to trust God’s plan, from the annunciation to the cross, serves as an enduring example of faith.
A Lasting Example
As we look back at what happened to Joseph and Mary after the birth of Jesus we realize the story doesn’t end with the birth of Jesus. Their faith, obedience, and sacrifices played a crucial role in God’s redemptive plan. As we reflect on their journey, may we look at their lives of faith and find inspiration in their trust in God’s plan even when they did not know the outcome.
Let their example encourage us to remain faithful in our own journeys, trusting that God’s plan is always unfolding in ways we might not yet see.
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