Difference between revisions of "Category:Birth of Jesus (subject)"

The Birth of Jesus (or, Nativity of Jesus) refers to an episode in the lives of Jesus of Nazareth, and his parents, Mary of Nazareth and Joseph of Nazareth. The episode is narrated only in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and in later Christian tradition (Justin Martyr, Protoevangelium of James, etc.).

Overview

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide two different contexts for the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem.

According to Matthew, Mary and Joseph lived in Bethlehem. When Mary was pregnant Joseph thought of dismissing her quietly but an angel appeared to him in a dream and revealed him the divine origin of the child (see Annunciation to Joseph). This happened at Bethlehem at the time of Herod the Great.

The Gospel of Luke located the birth of Jesus at the time of the census of Quirinius. Mary and Joseph were from Nazareth in Galilee. The annunciation of the angel was made to Mary (see Annunciation to Mary). Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for the census. Jesus was born in the manger, as they could not find room in the inn.

The Birth of Jesus in ancient sources

Gospel of Matthew

Mt 2:1 (NRSV) -- [2:1] Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the time of King Herod...

Gospel of Luke

Lk 2:1-7 (NRSV) -- [1] In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] All went to their own towns to be registered. [4] Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. [5] He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. [6] While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Birth of Jesus in Scholarship

The circumstances of the birth of Jesus remain obscure. The Gospel of Mark and John are silent and seem to assume that Jesus was born at Nazareth. The two accounts of Matthew and Luke, although containing some common elements, are difficult to harmonize and appear to be theologically motivated. Herod the Great died in 4 BCE, while the census of Quirinius occurred ten years later, in 6 CE, when Judea became a Roman province. The census' purpose was to calculate property for taxation; it does not make any sense that someone had to go back to his birthplace to register. Later Christian tradition does not provide any further elements.

The Birth of Jesus in Fiction

Related links

• Jesus of Nazareth / Nativity of Jesus
• Mary of Nazareth / Joseph of Nazareth
• Herod the Great / Quirinius / Augustus

External links

• Wikipedia