Is there significance to Jesus being a Carpenter?

#1

I had always wondered if we are supposed to take some message out of Jesus being a carpenter. I know it’s the least significant of the many jobs He had. The reason It interested me was if I had never heard of Jesus, and you handed me the OT and told me “guess what occupation the Messiah will have” I would have bet on him being a shepherd, like Abraham and Jacob and Moses and David.

I can’t remember another carpenter in scripture, (obviously other than Joseph) so I’m not sure if that is supposed to have some kind of specific theological significance, other than the fact that He was a humble man who worked with His hands, but of course there are any number of jobs that would satisfy that description.

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#2

Maybe it symbolizes that Jesus gives us everything we need and more? Compared to herding animals for food and clothing, carpentry gives us shelter and also furniture for comfort. Maybe it also emphasises His humanity. Woodworking is an art and kind of suggests a certain personality.

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#3

Maybe Joseph’s occupation provided a steady and reliable standard of living for Jesus to grow up in.

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#4

That area doesn’t have a lot of trees.

#5

I’ve heard that Jesus is described as a Tekton which isn’t specifically a carpenter but also includes stone masons and other skilled crafts. What they all have in common is a builder or creator…which goes very nicely with what Jesus is. I don’t remember when or where but read a lovely story of how His being a Tekton fit His mission much better than a shepherd.

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#6

It can mean builder but there is a Greek word for builder so I think it is likely He specialized in wood. The parts of buildings made of wood were the doorways, roof structure, and windows if they had them. Carpenters were poor. Jesus does say He will build His Church Matt 16:18. Jesus is a shepherd as the many types point to but a shepherd of men, more than sheep.

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#7

Maybe the use of His hands to build things was a symbol of Him building His Church with His healing hands.

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#8

I wonder if being a carpenter has some symbolic linking to the fact that Jesus died on a wooden cross.

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#9

The regional climate has changed significantly. Research suggests that the area Jesus lived was more hospitable 2,000 years ago.

#10

Israel is not the Amazon forest but there are still trees. Read about the wood used in the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem and get a glimpse of all the trees mentioned in the Bible.

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#11

Pre-figurement of the wood of the Cross. Probably many other things, as God’s revelations are a reflection of His infinite nature.

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#12

What a great question. His family would have had quite a bit of work with the ongoing Roman building projects and artefacts of life to be built.

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#13

That’s a wonderful question!I agree with @CajunJoy65 that perhaps He used His hands to build things is symbolic of Him building the church.

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#14

As a hand-tool woodworker I approve of this thread…:slightly_smiling_face:

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#15

First, the Bible never mentions this, and I’m not sure if we could be certain of what duties He did before starting His public ministry. It’s always been thought He was probably a carpenter, just as Saint Joseph was. It is meaningful, because unlike many others and despite being the Messiah, He did not hold any important positions socially or economically. It is another sign of the great humility of our Lord.

#16

Galilee certainly has trees. It is a area of high rainfall and very fertile, where it is not Rocky and mountainous.

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#17

It is by no means inhospitable now.

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#18

Skilled workers in Israel were not rich, but not necessarily poor either. There is little evidence in the Bible that Jesus was impoverished. There is evidence to the contrary.

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#19

It was more hospitable.

#20

Very possible, but just the comment, by itself, implies it is not so hospitable now, which is not the case at all. Beautiful area.

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