You were saying..., “He was a highly skilled artisan. She had family connections to the highest Jewish aristocracy.”
There’s no indication of the skill-level of Joseph. He could have had barely the necessary skills to survive in his trade. You don’t know one way or another. From all indications, if he was highly skilled, it did not translate into any significant monetary benefit for him or his family. Thank goodness for the magi and their gifts, which enabled the family to travel (in the years to come).
So, he apparently didn’t have a lot of money, and neither property, that would have kept him bound to a certain area (with the duties and responsibilities of property). He left his home area to go on the trip for the census and did not return for a while. And then he left for Egypt. No property responsibilities were keeping him tied down. He sounds more like those who come across the border from the south (illegally), than anyone who has the benefits from being a highly skilled artisan.
We also see nothing that indicates Mary had any connections to aristocracy. I mean I’m in a “four degrees of separation” relation with the Pope (supposedly the Vicar of Christ on this earth), from my immediate family (someone being an immediate and personal advisor) — and that conveys absolutely nothing of any importance to me (relationally, theologically, religiously, monetarily or otherwise).
Although Mary was in a blood line of inheritance to the throne of David, it had no practical and/or everyday consequence for Mary. That’s plain to see from the accounts we are given. Any “Jewish aristocracy” seen here is a remnant of some figment of your imagination.
For all the accounts and for all intents and purposes, it’s very true that Jesus comes from the lowliest of the low in His station in life. And as Jesus, Himself, said —
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” [Matthew 8:20]
There was nothing from any successful and skillful trade from Joseph that ever carried over to Jesus and nothing from any supposed “Jewish aristocracy” that carried over from Mary. Jesus had basically — nothing — from either parent (of worldly goods and/or benefits). In fact, his mother needed to be taken care of, when Jesus left this world, and He put one of His friends in charge of caring for her in her retiring years (also more evidence of the lack of anything or of any material benefit from any supposed and/or imaginary “aristocracy” that she came from).
The Bible account is clear and plain and there is nothing of what you either imply, indicate or imagine...
Regards,
Star Traveler
Mary was a cousin of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and wife of Zachary, a priest. In the Judea of the time, the priests were the aristocracy.
There’s no indication of the skill-level of Joseph. He could have had barely the necessary skills to survive in his trade.
Rather unlikely. I doubt God chose an incompetent to be the foster-father of his son.
It is true Jesus did not grow up in great wealth. However, his family did have the money to travel from Nazareth to Jerusalem for festivals when he was a chile. This does not indicate a poverty-stricken childhood.
I think Jesus had a middling status as a child and young man. His family was neither wealthy nor poor.