As I've been reading the Gospels quite often lately, I noticed that the last mention of Joseph was when Jesus was 12 years old and had been separated from his parents and was later found in the temple courts in Jerusalem. Is there any historical documents that talk about the rest of Joseph's life? It's apparent to me that at the end of Jesus' life, Joseph wasn't around. Otherwise why would He entrust His mother to John to take care of her.
Scripture is absolutely silent on the issue. And I'm not aware of any credible outside source that says much either.
Tradition holds that he died at some point before Jesus' public ministry, and that's probably a decent guess given he wasn't performing fatherly things later on in Jesus' life - but, a guess is all it is.
That's what I had heard from great grandpa when my dad asked the same question. His reply: "Seems only certain that he must have went on to his reward, because we hear nothing further about him." It's amazing what you remember from childhood...
I think it's incredibly likely, knowing what we do about Jewish culture, that Joseph died at some point before Jesus' crucifixion. If Joseph was still alive when Jesus was being hung on the cross it would have made no sense for Christ to tell John to take care of his mother. There would be no need to do so. Joseph, if he was alive, would be taking care of Mary, not John.
This is true. For instance, the Bible bluntly states that Christ did and said many more things than what is recorded in scripture.