"Why St. Joseph Had to Die Before Jesus." An Article

[mdgspencer]

see https://heroicvirtuecreations.com/2005/07/12/why-st-joseph-had-to-die-before-jesus/

“We can be sure from the Bible that St. Joseph had died before Jesus died, since on the cross Jesus entrusted his mother to his disciple John’s care–something he would not have done had St. Joseph been alive.”

But why did St. Joseph die before Jesus?..

 

[mythbuster1]

According to some accounts, Joseph was already an old man at the Nativity. Regardless, it fits thematically as the Blessed Virgin being the widow who receives her only Son back from the dead.

 

[Zaccheus]

What reason is there that Joseph should not die before Jesus?

 

[Seagull]

I thought they were going to quote a scripture…maybe a Psalm or a Proverb …
I bet there is a verse somewhere in the O.T, that takes his death into account - before his step son.

 

[thistle]

I thought they were going to quote a scripture…maybe a Psalm or a Proverb …

I bet there is a verse somewhere in the O.T, that takes his death into account - before his step son.

There is nothing in Scripture about the death of St Joseph.
All we can speculate is that he died sometime between Jesus’ 12th birthday and his public ministry.

As for the reason anyone can guess because they don’t know. If you accept what is said in the Evangelium of James (not treated as an inspired writing by the Church) then Joseph was a lot older than Mary when they married so it could just be his time in old age to die.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I always just figured that Joseph’s job was done once Jesus reached adulthood, and that Joseph had been through enough, so God granted him a happy death and let him rest.