[RnMomof7]

I have read that many Catholics believe Joseph was a widower and that he brought children into the marriage..but that would make them all the big brothers and sisters with Jesus being the youngest..it also begs the question where were these "kids" when the Holy couple traveled and later settled in Egypt

One more thought..It is a sin for a woman to refuse to be a wife in all respects to her husband...so if Mary refused that right to Joseph that was a sin..

Now in the long runs none of this matters much ..Jesus is still the product of a Virgin Birth , Son of God..King of Kings and Lord of Lords..

[xzins]

Can you address the "adulteress" question of #6? I'm interested in your perspective, you being an ex-Catholic.

[AlguyA]

"One more thought..It is a sin for a woman to refuse to be a wife in all respects to her husband...so if Mary refused that right to Joseph that was a sin."

Of course, it also would have been a sin for Mary to be pregnant without being married. So, obviously, we can assume God's plan for Mary must have been unique. Further, where in Scripture does it say Joseph demanded that "right?"

[Irisshlass]

<>One more thought..It is a sin for a woman to refuse to be a wife in all respects to her husband...so if Mary refused that right to Joseph that was a sin..<>

In the dream Joseph had, the angel didn't use marital union..."go in unto".

Genesis 30
3 She said, "(1) Here is my maid Bilhah, go in to her that she may (2) bear on my knees, that (3) through her I too may have children."
4 So (4) she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her.
16 When Jacob came in from the field in the evening, then Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son's mandrakes." So he lay with her that night.

Genesis 16
2 So Sarai said to Abram, "Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. (1) Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

Genesis 16
3 After Abram had lived (1) ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram's wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife.
4 He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight

According to Jewish Law...Joseph was forbidden to her for all time..