Joseph, the father of Jesus was an essene. The essenes were believed to have originated during the period of the greek empire in Israel, as a result of greeks superceding jewish high priests by intermarrying. Reportedly, essenes saw themselves as the true remnant of Israel, had a conservative approach to jewish law and observed a strict hierarchy, favouring priests over lay people. They are reported to have descended from the highest order of priests. In common with Zoroastrianism their dogma was dualistic, that is a belief in the conflict between the benevolent and the manevolent.
According to reports, essenes lived throughout Judaea in various settlements or in the community and were hereditary, being descendants of David. They were allowed to marry in order to procure children, for the future of the movement, but were advised to wait three years in order to get to know a girl.
Essenes were the writers of the dead sea scrolls which contain handwritten texts from early biblical books. Reportedly, the scrolls were discovered between 1946-56 in caves near Ein Feshka, about 3 kilometres south of Qumran, Samaria. They were believed to have been hidden from roman soldiers during the first roman-jewish war (66-74 ordinary time). The entire Qumran community of essenes were killed by roman soldiers when they would not renounce their faith. According to a report, the movement died out following the war.
Mary was also an essene and according to a source was born of rich parents. She was said to have descended on her father’s side from the tribe of Judah and on her mother’s side from Levi. She was presented to the temple at a young age, her parents may have died when she was young. According to sources, she was betrothed to Joseph at a young age and became pregnant before they were married so the other women in the village wouldn’t talk to her. One source says she was 15 years when she gave birth to Jesus. They had other children. According to the book of Mark, Jesus had four brothers.