Where was Joseph when Jesus was an adult? and why was joseph not at the crucifixion

Where was Joseph when Jesus was an adult? and why was joseph not at the crucifixion.

When Jesus was twelve years old, the last time Joseph is mentioned in the Bible, it is. Jesus became separated from His parents after returning from a journey to Jerusalem, but they soon located Him in the temple speaking with the professors. Ironically, all reference of Jesus’ earthly father disappears at that point when He states that He must attend to His heavenly Father’s business (Luke 2:41-50).

Because Joseph is not mentioned again, most scholars assume he died sometime before Jesus began His public ministry. By the time we get to the wedding at Cana (John 2), Joseph is conspicuously absent. We see Mary there, but no mention is made of Joseph. Perhaps a part of the reason why Jesus remained at home until He was 30 is that He had a responsibility to care for the family.

The fact that Jesus made plans for the apostle John to care for His mother while He was on the cross lends more credence to the hypothesis that Joseph had passed away by the time Jesus was an adult (John 19:26-27). Jesus would never have given Mary to John if Joseph had been alive at the time of the crucifixion. Jesus would not have said, “Now, Mother, I’m going to devote you to John,” if Joseph were still living. Joseph had the right to say, “Wait a minute; it is my duty to care for her,” in response. Only a widow may legitimately have been trusted with someone other than her immediate family’s care.

Some believe that Joseph may have passed away after Jesus started His public ministry. This is implausible because if Joseph had passed away during Christ’s three-year career, it would have been a significant event; Jesus and His followers would have surely attended the burial, and at least one of the Gospel authors would have documented it. The most likely explanation, while we can’t be sure for sure, is that Joseph passed away before Jesus started His earthly mission.