Why Joseph Knew Her Not Till Mary Brought Forth

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. (Matthew 1:24-25 KJV)

People often point to this passage as evidence that Joseph never had relations with his wife, however this statement is made after Mary had already conceived as revealed in verses 18.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as [For] his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost [spirit]. (Matthew 1:18 KJV revisions mine)

This verse reads: For his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together. The fact that she was found with child of holy spirit is a separate thought.

Naturally, Joseph would have had relations with his wife in order for her to conceive.

But why is this detail given of Joseph in verse 25, that he knew her not until she brought forth her firstborn?

It’s not unlawful for a man to know his wife while she’s pregnant, and from what I understand it is not thought to be a harmful practice either. So why would the man refrain from knowing his wife during that time?

Josephus Provides Cultural Insight

Evidently, according to the historian Josephus, there were three main sects of Jews living in the days of Joseph and Mary. Two of these are mentioned by name in the New Testament: the Pharisees and the Saducees. The third is identified in Josephus’ The Wars of the Jews, Book 2, chapter 8: the Essens or Essenes.

The Essenes were a more devout sect, having particular practices among them that distinguished them from their fellow Jews. While many within that sect do not marry, some do — for the primary purpose of procreation.

Here’s what Josephus had to say about them:

13. Moreover, there is another order of Essens, who agree with the rest as to their way of living, and customs, and laws, but differ from them in the point of marriage, as thinking that by not marrying they cut off the principal part of human life, which is the prospect of succession; nay, rather, that if all men should be of the same opinion, the whole race of mankind would fail.

However, they try their spouses for three years; and if they find that they have their natural purgations thrice, as trials that they are likely to be fruitful, they then actually marry them. But they do not use to accompany with their wives when they are with child, as a demonstration that they do not marry out of regard to pleasure, but for the sake of posterity.

Now the women go into the baths with some of their garments on, as the men do with somewhat girded about them. And these are the customs of this order of Essens. (Josephus’ Wars of the Jews 2.8.13)

It appears to me that Joseph may have not known Mary while she was with child, as a demonstration that they do not marry out of regard to pleasure, but for the sake of posterity.

I wonder if tend to think the mention of Joseph being righteous in verse 19 was a clue as to him being akin to the Essene sect. And the fact that he minded to send Mary away during her pregnancy so as not to make a show of her were clues as well. Maybe not. Either way though, t Thanks to this tidbit of insight into the Jewish culture at that time, it makes sense to me as a reasonable answer to my long-held question on the matter. [Edited 9/7/19]

For an alternate reasonable and Biblical explanation to the virgin birth story, found in Luke 1 and Matthew 1, visit NoVirginBirth.com.