In the First Century world, each Jewish boy learned a trade. Rabbi Judah taught that “Whoever does not teach his son a trade teaches him robbery.” Though the Apostle Paul studied at the feet of Gamaliel and trained to be a rabbi, he also learned to be a tentmaker, working with large pieces of canvas-like material used for tents, tarps and sails. Tentmaking often provided the income necessary for Paul to travel and preach.

In keeping with this custom, even though the miracles surrounding Jesus’ birth demonstrated his Divine nature and special mission, Joseph apparently taught his oldest son a trade. Surely after a virgin birth and the visits of the shepherds and magi, Joseph and Mary knew that Jesus would not spend his life as a carpenter. But since Joseph didn’t know exactly what Jesus’ future would be, he followed the custom and taught his son to be a carpenter. This becomes apparent when we examine the Gospel accounts of Jesus visit to his home town of Nazareth once his teaching ministry began. The people of Nazareth were skeptical that the young man they had watched grow up could really work the kinds of miracles they had heard about, and they certainly doubted Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. In Matthew 13:55 (NIV), they questioned, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?”

Compare Matthew’s account with the parallel account in Mark 6:3 – “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” In Matthew’s version, Jesus is “the carpenter’s son,” but in Mark’s gospel, Jesus is “the carpenter.” Bible scholars conclude that Joseph taught Jesus the family trade, so Jesus worked as a carpenter before beginning his ministry. Since Joseph is not mentioned again in Scripture after Jesus’ visit to the temple at the age of 12, many Bible scholars also believe that Joseph died before Jesus began his ministry. As the oldest son, it would have been Jesus’ job to become “the man of the house” and work to support his mother Mary and his younger half-siblings, shedding new light on the Hebrew writer’s description of Jesus: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.” Jesus felt the pressure of feeding and caring for a family, paying bills, and keeping his customers satisfied.

Jesus must have been a very good carpenter. Justin Martyr, the 2nd Century apologist, said that during his lifetime (c.100 – c.165 A.D.), it was common to see farmers still using plows made by the carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth. One hundred years after Jesus died on the cross as the Savior of the world, folks still benefitted from work Jesus did before he left the carpenter’s shop behind.

Jesus understood that he came to earth to offer himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of mankind. Hebrews 10:8-10 tells us that, “First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”–though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Jesus accomplished his mission in life, and believers benefit greatly from his sacrifice.

Along the way to the cross, though, Jesus was also an obedient son (Luke 2:51), a generous friend (John 15:15-16) and apparently, a proficient carpenter. For Jesus, making plows was only a temporary gig, not a permanent vocation, but he still chose to do the job right. The Apostle Paul counsels Christians to make that same choice: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Ecclesiastes 9:10 reads, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”