Historical Context
Jewish Customs in the First Century
In Jesus’ time, Jewish men were typically expected to marry. This cultural norm has fueled speculation that Jesus might have been married, as it would have been unusual for a Jewish rabbi to remain single.
The Role of Celibacy
Celibacy was also valued in certain Jewish and early Christian communities. The Essenes, for example, practiced celibacy, which could suggest that Jesus’ unmarried status, if true, was not entirely out of the ordinary.
