.
● Luke 2:1-5 . . Now it came about in those days that a decree went out
from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This
was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all
were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.
. . . And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to
Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the
house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was
engaged to him, and was with child.
That was the couple's first recorded public appearance and, by then, Mary
was showing because she was in her third trimester and the baby was full
term.
Artists often portray Jesus' mom riding a donkey, but in her condition, it's
far more likely she was transported in a wagon. Artists also typically depict
the couple traveling alone to Bethlehem, which is impressionistic rather than
realistic. They were far more likely with a group. Seeing as how Joseph was
of the house and lineage of David, then so
was his dad; and siblings too, if any.
● Luke 2:6-7 . . And it came about that while they were there, the days were
completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son.
Now, the thing is; Jesus was not only conceived out of wedlock, but he was
also born out of wedlock too because Joseph and Jesus' mom were not yet
married when they traveled to Bethlehem.
● Luke 2:21 . .On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he
was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been
conceived.
Both parents were commanded to give Mary's boy the name Jesus.
● Matt 1:21 . .She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name
Jesus
● Luke 1:31 . .You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to
give him the name Jesus.
People in a small town like Nazareth usually know everybody, and know all
about everybody. So it was probably common knowledge that Joseph was
marrying a girl whose baby was, from all appearances, illegitimate; and
there was no plausible way for Joseph and Mary to prove otherwise. In point
of fact, I'd not be surprised that the rumor mill was confident the baby was
Joseph's, especially seeing as how he stood with its mother for the naming;
and the community must have really been curious why he didn't marry her
sooner; which is typical for shotgun weddings.
(The Bible doesn't say whether the couple's parents were humiliated by this
business, but it's likely they were.)
Although some men's paternal feelings are easily roused by any and every
child they meet, there isn't a clue as to Joseph's feelings about Mary's infant
seeing as it wasn't his own, and I can't help but wonder if maybe Joseph was
somewhat grudging about giving it his name-- but of course reluctant or no,
he did and so Solomon became one of Jesus' many grandfathers.
● Matt 1:1-16 . .The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David
. . and to David was born Solomon . . . and to Solomon . . . was born Joseph
the husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
The identity of Jesus' biological father was suspicious; but when Joseph
stood with Mary to name her baby, from then on the lad became accepted as
Joseph's boy.
● Matt 13:55 . . Is not this the carpenter's son?
● Luke 2:48 . . His mother said to Him, "Son, why have you treated us this
way? Behold, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you."
Jesus was ordained of God to inherit David's throne (Luke 1:32). Now the
thing is; David's throne has never been passed down to one of his sons via a
mother; it's always been passed down via the fathers in his line.
For another; the throne has to come down via David's son Solomon (1Kings
1:13, and 1Chron 22:9-10). Joseph is related to Solomon (Matt 1:6 and Matt
1:16).
Long story short: it was necessary for Joseph to adopt Mary's boy in order to
get the lad into Solomon's genealogy and thus qualify as a rightful heir to
the throne promised him during the angel's visit with his mother. (Luke
1:31-33)
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