🔴 How old were Mary and Joseph?
🔴 What does the Bible actually tell us about them—and what comes from tradition?
🔴 How can we explain their story clearly to kids?
Mary and Joseph are central to the Christmas story, yet the Bible gives us fewer personal details than many people expect. What we do know comes directly from Scripture—and those details are meaningful, especially when teaching children.
Let’s take a closer look at Mary and Joseph in the Bible and what God chose to reveal about them.
What the Bible Tells Us About Mary
Mary was a young Jewish woman living in city of Nazareth in area called the Galilee. The Bible tells us she was a virgin and engaged to Joseph when the angel Gabriel appeared to her (Luke 1:26–38).
While the Bible does not give her age, most historians agree she was likely a teenager. It was common for Jewish women to marry in their later teens at this time in history.
What stands out most about Mary in the Bible is her response to God. She listened, trusted, and obeyed—even when she did not understand how everything would turn out.
Key verses about Mary:
-
Luke 1:26–38 – The angel’s announcement
-
Luke 1:46–55 – Mary’s song of praise
-
Luke 2:19 – Mary treasured these things in her heart
Mary’s faith makes her a powerful example for both children and adults. Her life is an example of someone who loved and obeyed the Lord from a young age and whose faithfulness continued for a lifetime.
What the Bible Tells Us About Joseph
Joseph was a righteous man from the line of King David (Matthew 1:1–16). He lived in Nazareth and worked as a carpenter or builder. In those days his trade would work with different building materials depending on the job.
When Joseph learned Mary was pregnant, he planned to quietly break off their engagement. But God spoke to him through a dream and told him the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18–25).
Joseph obeyed immediately. He took Mary as his wife and later protected his family by fleeing to Egypt when warned in another dream.
Key verses about Joseph:
-
Matthew 1:18–25 – Joseph’s obedience
-
Matthew 2:13–15 – Fleeing to Egypt
-
Luke 2:4–5 – Traveling to Bethlehem
Joseph may not speak in Scripture, but his actions speak loudly. He was a man who loved and obey God while loving his family.
What the Bible Does Not Tell Us
There are a few things the Bible does not clearly explain:
-
Joseph’s age
-
Whether Joseph was previously married
-
Exact details about their daily life
- How long he lived
Some of our ideas about Joseph come from church tradition, not Scripture. When teaching children, it helps to clearly separate what the Bible says from what people assume.
Why Mary and Joseph Matter for Bible Teaching
Mary and Joseph show children:
- The Lord chooses to use those who are being obedient
- Obey even when life is hard
- Trust God’s plan, even when you don't know the outcome
- Faith lived out through actions, be faithful
Studying Mary and Joseph in the Bible helps kids understand that God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary plans.
Teach Mary and Joseph with Confidence
If you want to help kids understand the Christmas story more deeply, our Birth of Jesus Bible Study Journals guide students through the events step by step using timelines, drawings, and age-appropriate questions.
👉 Download the free Mary Fact Sheet for a simple, Bible-based overview you can use at home or in the classroom.
