ACC ~ Matthew 1 v16

THE MARITAL RELATION BETWEEN JOSEPH AND MARY

AUGUSTINE: Matthew relates the human lineage of Christ in this way: After recounting the fathers from Abraham, he continues to Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom Jesus was born. It is not fitting to think of Joseph apart from his marriage to Mary, who bore Christ as a virgin and not from intercourse with him. [1] For by his example an incomparable commendation is made to faithful married persons of the principle that even when by common consent they maintain their continence, the marital relation can still remain steadfast and still be rightly called one of wedlock, not by virtue of physical intercourse but by the heart’s affection. This is especially so because it was possible for a son to be born to them without bodily embrace, which is intended within the purpose of procreation. Furthermore, Joseph should not have been denied being called Christ’s father on the basis that he did not beget him through intercourse. For if he had adopted a child from another, he would have rightly been the father of one who was not even born from his own wife.

Indeed, Christ was even considered by some to be the son of Joseph, just as if he had been simply born of his flesh. But this was believed by those who did not know of Mary’s virginity. Luke says, “Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph.” [2] Instead of naming Mary his only parent, he had not the slightest hesitation in also speaking of both parties as his parents when he says, “And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.” [3] Lest any imagine that by the “parents” here was meant only Mary and her blood relations, we do well to recall that preceding word of Luke: “And his father and mother marveled at what was said about him.” [4] HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 2.1.2-3. [5]

[1] Joseph did not disengage himself from the married estate into which he entered with Mary on the ground that she gave birth not as the wedded wife of Joseph but as a virgin.

[2] Lk 3:23.

[3] Lk 2:40-41.

[4] Lk 2:33.

[5] PL 34:1071-72; NPNF 1 6:102-3*. In what way, Augustine asks, did Joseph remain the husband of Mary the virgin? Though Joseph was not the physical father, nonetheless he was a real and significant father to Jesus and continued in an enduring relation with Mary. In what follows, a single asterisk (*) indicates that the previous English translation has been dearchaized.

WITHOUT INTERCOURSE OF THE FLESH

AUGUSTINE: Since he thus related that Christ was born from Mary as a virgin and not as a result of intercourse with Joseph, for what reason does Matthew call him his father, if not because we understand Joseph to be truly the husband of Mary, not through intercourse of the flesh but in virtue of the genuine spiritual union of marriage? … All this suggests that Luke’s phrase, “as was supposed,” was inserted with a view of correcting those of the opinion that he was born from Joseph in the same way that others are born. HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 2.1.3. [1]

[1] PL 34:1072.