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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Cyril of Alexandria
His mother certainly knew that He was not the child of Joseph, but she so speaks to avoid the suspicions of the Jews. And upon her saying, that "Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing," the Saviour answers...
Theophylact of Ohrid
The Mother of God calls Joseph father, even though she knew that he was not the father. Without doubt, she names Joseph His father for the sake of the Jews, so that they would not conceive any impure thought concerning His birth. Otherwise: since Joseph applied fatherly care and service in His upbringing, she fittingly called him father himself, as though the Holy Spirit honored him with the title of father.
Ancient Greek Expositor
But the ever-wonderful mother of God, moved by a mother's feelings, as it were with weeping makes her mournful enquiry, in every thing like a mother, with confidence, humility, and affection. As it follows, And his mother said unto him, Son, what hast thou done?
Western Saints
Bede
And his mother said to him: Son, why have you done this to us? Behold, your father and I, sorrowing, have been seeking you. And he said to them: Why were you seeking me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business? Not Joseph, who provided nothing for his generation except service and affection, whence he is called father both by the evangelist and by Mary herself for his faithful service; Christ does not deny him as his parent, but simply and openly indicates who is his true Father, equally to us and to them. …
Bonaventure
And not only those strangers were astonished, but also the parents: whence it is added: And seeing him, they wondered: Matthew seven: "The crowds wondered at his teaching." And truly it was wondrous that he answered what he had not learned: John seven: "The Jews wondered, saying: How does this man know letters, since he has not learned?" And his Mother said, etc. …
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