Seminar 2 - The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

What was it like to grow up in a carpenter shop in a small town of Nazareth? What was Jesus like when he was growing up? Did he do any miracles? Was he different than other children?

Joseph was a Carpenter

Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Two New Testament references to the occupation of Joseph and Jesus lead us to believe that during the 18 silent years of Jesus boyhood and early manhood he was employed as a carpenter. There would have been little to engage a carpenter in the tiny village of Nazareth, but the city of Sepphoris was only a 4 mile walk and was the center of renovations and architecture sponsored by Herod the Great’s son, Antipas. After the destruction of Sepphoris in 4 BC it was rebuilt during the early life of Jesus, about the time he would have been a carpenter. Though Nazareth was small, probably not more than 25 families living there during Jesus’ time, Sepphoris was large, prosperous and offering plenty of work for carpenters. It is only speculation to assume that Jesus would have at least occasionally worked and visited in Sepphoris.

Jesus the Carpenter

Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Evidence that Jesus Was A Carpenter
The term used for carpenter was "tekton," which means a skilled craftsman and could involve metal, stone, or wood. Jesus himself is only called a carpenter once, in Mark 6:3. Matthew 13:55 describes him as the son of a carpenter. Jesus was not destitute. A carpenter was a worth occupation and much in demand especially in the bustling city of Sepphoris, the second largest city in Israel. There would have been plenty of work for good carpenters. We must assume that Jesus was not lazy but industrious. He is the example for us all. He then would have naturally followed in his father’s footsteps taking on the trade of carpenter until he entered his full time ministry. Should we think of him as a effeminate man, loafing about while other worked for a living? I doubt it.

Recent attempts to rediscover Jesus and turn him into a well-to-do, successful builder have not basis in fact. Jesus family remained a humble one. Thus it was with derogatory intent that the Jews of Nazareth derided him as the "son of a carpenter." We know for a fact that his parents were not well off. At his dedication they offered the poor man's sacrifice at Jesus' birth - a pair of doves and two young pigeons - (Luke 2.22-24 & Leviticus 12.2,6,8). Some may argue that with the gifts of the Wise Men perhaps Joseph and thus Jesus were able to improve their economic plight. Perhaps, but still we see Jesus even in his ministry as humble in origins, and lacking in worldly goods.

Origen Denies It
Indeed, the early 3rd century church writer Origen(23)writes against Celsus' assertion that Jesus was a mere carpenter, that "in none of the Gospels current in the churches is Jesus Himself ever described as being a carpenter".(24) This is still a widely debated topic(25), however Geza Vermes(26) highlights an Aramaic use of the term carpenter/craftsman (naggar) to metaphorically describe a 'scholar' or 'learned man'. Nevertheless, the majority of wandering rabbis had a trade to support their learning and teaching and there is no reason to doubt that carpentry may have been that of Jesus.

Justin Confirms It
Although Origen dismisses Jesus' role as carpenter, the earlier church writer Justin(27) cites it, he says that "He was considered to be the son of Joseph the carpenter; and He appeared without comeliness, as the Scriptures declared; and He was deemed a carpenter (for He was in the habit of working as a carpenter when among men, making ploughs and yokes; by which He taught the symbols of righteousness and an active life)".
http://www.leaderu.com/theology/jesusjew.html

Status of a Carpenter

An artisan was a noble occupation. Many of the ancient Jewish scholars were hard working artisans as well. Hillel was a woodcutter, and Shammai was a carpenter, both were renowned leaders of Jewish religious community. It was considered right and proper for a father to train his son to follow his own profession. In fact one rabbi stated, "Whoever does not teach his son a trade it is as if he brought him up to be a robber." The Mishna taught that one must "teach son a trade." Without question Jesus was taught by Joseph, his step father, to be a respected carpenter. It was a worth profession.
Edersheim, Sketches, chapter 11 "Trades"

A Carpenter’s Tools

Bow saws, hand saws, claw hammers, planes, adze, wood mallets, chisels, and the lathe and the bow drill were well known tools in Roman times.

The Carpenter’s Craft

Joinery was well developed by the time of Christ (mortise, tennon, and dovetail). Objects could be turned on a lathe to make beautiful design work. Carpentry was useful in a wide variety of needs, roofs, door, frames, tables, beds, cookware utensils, bowls, and cups. Farm implements such as the yoke and plow would have been made by carpenters.

Assigned Reading::
Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life, chapter 11 "Trades"
Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Book 2, Chapter 10, "Life in Nazareth"