I’ve always assumed it was true because that’s what everyone says. Does everyone saying it make it true? This story is the only reference to the word carpenter I could find in the whole of the New Testament:
Matthew 13:55
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?”
Mark 6:3
Isn’t he the carpenter, the son of Mary?
So what’s going on? I know during the time of Jesus it was common that a son would learn his father’s trade. So at some point in history maybe someone important decided to assume that Jesus must have also been a carpenter and today most everyone assumes it. Mark’s account does say “the carpenter”, so it may well be true that Jesus was a carpenter. However, even the fact that the people of his hometown refer to him that way proves very little about who He was. The people of Nazareth obviously missed a lot of other things about him and the fact that he grew up in “the carpenter’s” house may have led even them to that assumption. The Mark account is the same story as the Matthew account that says “carpenter’s son”. For some reason even Matthew and Mark chose different words on this point. So you decide how much weight to give the testimony of the people of Nazareth. Just remember these quotes are part of the arguments they used to dismiss his true identity. The funny thing about assumptions made on such a large scale is the fact that they are still just assumptions. We assume that because the people of Nazareth said it in the bible it must be true, even if it was an argument against who Jesus actually was.
Regardless of whether or not Jesus was a carpenter there is a point that this raises that is much more than an assumption. The word carpenter only appears in this story, and that is a fact. Very little of Jesus’ identity was tied to his career. How many Christians can say that? How many of us are “professionals”? So, in my case, if I were a carpenter, pretty much what I’ve been doing is fixing tables and chairs all day and night. If Jesus had been doing that the word carpenter would have certainly appeared more than once in scripture wouldn’t it?
I’m kinda persuaded that maybe if we wanna be like Jesus we’ll have to get passed this. Have you ever seen a tombstone that says: “I wish I spent more time at work”? What if your career is ministry? Is that how Jesus did it? Hmmm… Ecclesiastes does say a meaning of life is to enjoy our toil under the sun, but it also says everything is meaningless. Jesus says, we must take up our cross and follow Him.
-ICA
P.S. – After writing this I thought I’d see just how uncommon skepticism concerning Jesus’ trade is:
“It is highly unlikely that Jesus was a carpenter.” http://www.jesuspolice.com/common_error.php?id=6
“So it is very romantic to think of Jesus as a carpenter, but not very scriptural.” http://www.kencollins.com/jesus-35.htm
Hi,
I just got a quick web access, it’s great to come with you
regards,
Nathan from israel
Thanks Ben!
I wouldn’t be surprised if He was either.
I saw some commentaries that actually propose that Mark was doing a play on words and contrasting a word that would have been associated with Isaiah’s writings. As much as I avoid just accepting ideas because a lot of folks have accepted them, I’m not much of a fan of turning the bible into some complex jigsaw puzzle with hidden codes that must be logically deciphered. The big danger is elevating these complex hidden codes to the authority of the Word which is living and comes from God.
Once a “scholar” starts twisting there is no end to the damage they may do, even if it really makes sense. Most settle for just selling some books, but others start cults and enter the ranks of Matthew 24:5, deceiving many. Maybe Mark’s audience would have associated the phrase, but the Holy Spirit has led me to associate it to other areas that Mark’s audience would not have. Let’s let the comforter do His job in our and other’s lives.
In the same way anyone who reads this and decides Jesus was not a carpenter has missed the whole point. I believe the Holy Spirit has led me to recognize that the modern world puts a lot of emphasis on careers and success, I have accepted that emphasis, and now I should find a better balance than what society proposes. Then I wrote about it. That’s all.
Again, thank you for your post.
-ICA
I really enjoy your article on the occupation. I must let you know that The writer of the Gospel did not showed us Jesus early years I believe they only brings out what they want us to know about him. Even if you look at the miracle Our Lord Jesus Christ did many miracles than what was recorded in the Gospel. John Confirmed this in his Gospel. Therefore, I will not be surprised if Jesus was skilled carpenter in his early days before his baptism in the River Joran.
Thanks for your commment!
John 13:13 – He says Himself that He is rabbi and Lord.
Again, just because the people of Nazareth refer to Him as a carpenter in the scriptures does not mean what they said was true. Especially when a second account even quotes them differently. Just like in Matthew 12:24 the fact that the Pharisees said He did miracles by the power of satan does not mean He did either.
So I checked out talmidin (disciple), rabbis had talmidin, not carpenters. In fact being a rabbi and a carpenter would have been virtually impossible.
So where does Jesus say He is a carpenter?
You posted two scriptures relating to Jesus being a carpenter (greek: tekton – a builder).
1. Isn’t all scripture given by inspiration of God? 2 Ti 3:16
2. 1st century boys learned the trade of their fathers.
3. Research the talmidin.
Jesus’ trade was that which He said. If you disagree, you’ve got a beef with Him, not me or anyone else.