John the Baptist talks in the Gospel (John 3:27-29) in terms of himself as a best man with the implication that Jesus the bridegroom is coming to meet his bride, but there is nothing specific to identify the bride (see also: Luke 5:34, Matt. 9:15). The identity of the bride has been erased. Instead church fathers created the image of Jesus being married to the Church (Eph. 5:25-33). The following is written (John 3:27-29):

[27] To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. [28] You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' [29] The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete."

The text suggests that being the Christ means having the bride and that the bride is a gift from heaven. There is no shame in Jesus being married. It was even customary for a Jewish rabbi to be married and the apostles called him rabbi (Mark 11:21) so there must have been an important reason to hide the marriage.


So why did they do it?