Carpenter’s Son?

Matthew 13:55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

Mark 6:3

(NKJV) Is this not the carpenter,^G5045 the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

(ISV) This is the builder, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon, isn’t it? His sisters are here with us, aren’t they?” And they were offended by him.

G5045 τέκτων tektōn

tec·ton·ic /tekˈtänik/

1. GEOLOGY
relating to the structure of the earth’s crust and the large-scale processes which take place within it.
“the movements of the tectonic plates”
(of a change or development) very significant or considerable.
“the last decade has witnessed a tectonic shift in world affairs”
2. relating to building or construction.
“a contest of tectonic quality and public attractiveness”
The Greek word tekton, translated here as carpenter, is more accurately rendered as craftsman or builder.

Architect = chief builder

In the Forgotten Jesus part 2: Was Jesus a Carpenter or a Stonemason? – by Robby Galatty, the author gives the following evidence:

The majority of homes in Israel during Jesus’ time were constructed with stone. Trees were scarce in that region and archaeology reveals a prevalence of stone homes. Carpenter may not be the best fit for that Greek word.

Does this mean that Jesus never worked with wood?

When They planned out the life of Jesus on earth: male, Jewish, born to a virgin, Davidic lineage, born in Bethlehem, at a time when the temple existed, etc

So to me it does not seem far-fetched to have Him grow up building with stones as a type of what Christ would do spiritually. He took fishermen and made them fishers of men, He took a shepherd and made him the shepherd and king of Israel, so to have Jesus start His young life as a stonemason does not seem out the realm of possibility and in fact a more realistic probability, especially when we examine the most important house that Jesus began building at the onset of His ministry on Earth.

Physical Temple Typology

A type of that to come

Haggai 2:3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple [KJV: house] in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?
Haggai 2:4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts.
Haggai 2:5 ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’
Haggai 2:6 “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;
Haggai 2:7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.
Haggai 2:8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.
Haggai 2:9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

They confused the terminology

John 2:13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 2:14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
John 2:15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.
John 2:16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”
John 2:17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE HAS EATEN ME UP.”
John 2:18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
John 2:20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
John 2:21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
John 2:22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

It is a house not made with hands.

House = Temple = Church = Us

There is a relationship between all of these: Where He dwells

Hebrews 3:6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

1 Timothy 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

He wants to dwell/live/abide in the house He is building/ has built:

God Dwells in Us

Acts 7:46 who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob.
Acts 7:47 But Solomon built Him a house.
Acts 7:48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
Acts 7:49 ‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND EARTH IS MY FOOTSTOOL. WHAT HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME? SAYS THE LORD, OR WHAT IS THE PLACE OF MY REST?
Acts 7:50 HAS MY HAND NOT MADE ALL THESE THINGS?’
Acts 7:51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [which] is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? [It’s God’s building and His spirit in you].

2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”
2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore “COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU.”

Living Stone

1 Peter 2:4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,

Matthew 21:33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.
Matthew 21:34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.
Matthew 21:35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.
Matthew 21:36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.
Matthew 21:37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
Matthew 21:38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’
Matthew 21:39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.
Matthew 21:40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”
Matthew 21:41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”
Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE. THIS WAS THE LORD’S DOING, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’ ?
Matthew 21:43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
Matthew 21:44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

Psalms 118:21 I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation.
Psalms 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.

Acts 4:11 [Peter] This is the ‘STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.’
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We are living stones

John 5:26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,

John 6:57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.

Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

In much the same way we are: being built up a spiritual house

1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
1 Peter 1:7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

This spiritual house will be built upon Him:

The Foundation

This more of the example that we are to follow:

More characteristics of this stone He is:

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.

Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation:

A tried stone…

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

a precious cornerstone…

1 Peter 2:6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHIEF CORNERSTONE, ELECT, PRECIOUS, AND HE WHO BELIEVES ON HIM WILL BY NO MEANS BE PUT TO SHAME.”
1 Peter 2:7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,”

The cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.

The cornerstone. The first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. As the first stone laid, it becomes the reference point for all other stones laid subsequent to it. Everything finds its definition in this one piece – the cornerstone. That’s how you know if it’s straight and true.

In relation to architecture, a cornerstone is traditionally the first stone laid for a structure, with all other stones laid in reference. A cornerstone marks the geographical location by orienting a building in a specific direction.

a sure foundation…

1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
1 Corinthians 3:13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
1 Corinthians 3:14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
1 Corinthians 3:15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Under Construction

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
Ephesians 2:21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
Ephesians 2:22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We Have Our Part in This

Qualities of the Temple

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
2 Corinthians 5:3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
2 Corinthians 5:4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
2 Corinthians 5:5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
2 Corinthians 5:6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

God Will See it to the End

1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Final Temple

1 Kings 6:7 And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.

[Why? The temple of God was to reflect the peace of God; no inner sounding brass or clanging cymbal. We are being hewn, chiseled, shaped, polished at the quarry – then we will be brought to the temple of God as perfect spirit beings working in concert with the Father and the in perfect unity and harmony and peace].

Revelation 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
John 17:21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
John 17:23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Revelation 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
Revelation 21:2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.