Expert: Bruce Gourley - 8/22/2011

Question
Hello,
I want to first say that I have been enjoying reading the questions and answers on your page.
I have had a question for a long time where I can not find an answer. Joseph the earthly father to Jesus is not around during Jesus earthly ministry. We know he was a carpenter and may have been gone a lot of time. Though when Jesus was on the cross where was Joseph? The most important day to mankind he was not mentioned to be there present. I don't want to assume anything. I hope that someone like yourself can show me scriptures that maybe I have overlooked or misunderstood.

Answer
Joseph,

There is no absolute answer to your question. As the Bible is silent about most of Jesus' earthly life, it is also silent regarding Joseph during Jesus' non-childhood years. Theories abound (he may have died at an early age, for example), but there is no definitive answer to your question. Sometimes the Bible is simply silent.

Grace and peace,

Bruce Gourley
www.brucegourley.com