As a biblical scholar, I've studied the scriptures extensively and am familiar with the various narratives and interpretations that have been put forth over the centuries. When it comes to the age of Joseph at the time of Jesus' birth, the canonical Gospels in the New Testament do not provide a specific age for Joseph. However, there are various apocryphal texts and traditions that have attempted to fill in this gap.

The apocryphal text you mentioned, the "History of Joseph the Carpenter," is an interesting piece of literature that was written much later than the canonical Gospels. It's important to note that apocryphal texts are not considered part of the official canon of the Bible and are generally not accepted by mainstream Christianity as authoritative. These texts often contain legendary or fictional elements and are used more for historical and cultural context rather than as a source of theological truth.

In the "History of Joseph the Carpenter," it is stated that Joseph was 90 years old when he took Mary into his care. This account describes Joseph as a widower with children from a previous marriage. The text also mentions that Mary was twelve years old at the time, which is a significant deviation from the canonical Gospels' accounts, which do not mention her age at all.

It's crucial to approach such texts with a critical eye, understanding their historical context and the reasons for their composition. The "History of Joseph the Carpenter" was likely written to address certain theological or cultural concerns of the time, and it reflects the interests and beliefs of its author and audience.

When interpreting the Bible and related texts, it's essential to distinguish between canonical scripture, which is accepted as divinely inspired and authoritative, and apocryphal or pseudepigraphical writings, which are not considered part of the official canon but can still provide valuable insights into the religious and cultural milieu of the time.

In conclusion, while the "History of Joseph the Carpenter" offers a specific age for Joseph, it is an apocryphal text and should not be taken as a definitive source on the matter. The canonical Gospels do not provide Joseph's age, leaving this detail to the realm of speculation and interpretation.

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The apocryphal History of Joseph the Carpenter, written in the 5th century and framed as a biography of Joseph dictated by Jesus, describes how Joseph, aged 90 (the Protoevangelium had not given Joseph a specific age), a widower with four sons and two daughters, is given charge of the twelve-year-old Mary, who then ...read more >>