The story begins with wise men who come to the city of Jerusalem after seeing a star that they interpreted as signaling the birth of a new king. The Book of Revelation also affirms that Jesus was a descendant of David but does not mention Bethlehem. Hed fled after deceiving his brother, Esau, out of his birthright, something God had already predicted would be his. Why did Saul Persecute the Jewish Christians? When he is anointed the city is controlled by the Jebusites, prompting some scholars to wonder if David was a Jebusite himself! In theGreco-Roman era, birth stories and genealogical claims were used to establish rights to rule and link individuals with purported ancestral grandeur. I can only imagine what the locals thought when they heard that the Messiah had been born in their hometown. In one stream of Jewish thought, the Messiah was expected to be an everlasting ruler from the lineage of David. The fertile land is probably why the area was first called . For Matthew, Jesus' birth in Bethlehem was a necessity. En route, God taught them how to have an intimate relationship with Him, and that relationship was based on total dependence. During the period of Jesus life, there were multiple perspectives on theMessiah. - Revelation 13:16-18. The Gospel of Mark is the earliest account of Jesus life, written around A.D. 60. The Gospel of John, written approximately 15 to 20 years after that of Mark, also does not associate Jesus with Bethlehem. It is doubtful there was an inn, and if there was it was the only inn in the tiny village. Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, Bethlehem was the hometown where he was required to register. So today, when the importance of Bethlehem is heard in Christmas carols or displayed in Nativity scenes, the name of the town connects Jesus to an ancestral lineage and the prophetic hope for a new leader like King David. Whether the Nazareth of the Gospels is beneath modern Nazareth is a matter of interpretation rather than certainty. Bethlehem is only 5 and a half miles from Jerusalem, and 3 miles from Gibeah. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the first Gospel in the canon of the New Testament, Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. The relevance is not as strong. We find in the New Testament the lineage of Jesus traced back not only to Abraham (in Matthew 1) but also to Adam (Luke 3). This text is repeated in Matthews version. Was it in the middle of winter as is depicted in many Christmas scenes? A careful reading of the birth narrative produces a different picture from the traditional Christmas plays. The Holy Family travels to Bethlehem, where Mary gives birth to Jesus (Luke 2:1-20). God used Rome's desire to collect as much tax revenue as it could, coupled with a Jewish fascination of their ancestors, to fulfill an awesome prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem! Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem rather than Nazareth? Today, genealogies may bring more awareness of ones family medical history or help uncover lost family members. David was from the village of Bethlehem, a son of Jesse. I never thought that Jesus birthplace was extremely significant. Every Christmas, a relatively small town in the Palestinian West Bank comes center stage: Bethlehem. It goes on to describe their meeting with the local Jewish king named Herod, of whom they inquire about the location of Jesus birth. The village was still quite small and unimportant in 6 B.C. Daniel 3:19-27 Who is the Fourth Man in the Fiery Furnace? Every Christmas, a relativelysmall town in the Palestinian West Bankcomes center stage: Bethlehem. Strauss says, Bethlehems theological significance is as the birthplace and hometown of David, Israels greatest king and the prototype of the Messiah (Strauss, 504). God would send someone to solve the problems of Israel who ultimately fulfilled the role of David in that he liberates the nation from their oppressors and prepared the way for true worship in the Temple. According to Strauss, Luke said that a census conducted by the emperor Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1) is what brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem (2007, p. 416), but Strauss clearly states that there is just not enough evidence to confirm or refute Lukes claim. It is virtually certain that Jesus' was raised in the small hamlet of Nazareth in Galilee, the northern part of Israel. . Yes, I think that is one of the many important elements of the birth Story. He was born in a barn and in a small town. Joseph and Mary live as a betrothed couple in Nazareth when the angel Gabriel visits Mary (Luke 1:26-38). 722, prophesies that the messiah would come from Davids hometown,Bethlehem. In his recently published "Rabbi Jesus" (Doubleday), Chilton deflates the theory that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. According to Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:4, Jesus was born in Bethlehem and returned later to Nazareth where he was raised ( Matt. A mild climate and plentiful rainfall, ensure that the town's fields, orchards, and vineyards thrive into consistently bountiful harvests. The Gospel of Luke includes no flight to Egypt, no paranoid King Herod, no murder of children and no wise men visiting baby Jesus. It was a mainstay of the ancient diet, providing not just comfort but also the nutrition required for life at the time. But Bethlehem was no sprawling metropolis. Name. Therefore, there is significance in this place. This is a very important blog post because there is so much speculation and false interpretations about where and how Jesus was born, especially according to Strauss and many other scholars. According to Strauss, Bethlehems theological significance is as the birthplace and hometown of David. Two reasons: (a) the is no record of a census requiring a man to return to his ancestral home; (b) Lk 2:39 ('to a town of their own') implies that Joseph and Mary made Nazareth their home after the birth. However, Micah 5:2-5 predicts that a messiah will come from Bethlehem. Regardless of whether these claims were accepted at the time to be true, they shaped a persons ethnic identity, political status and claims to honor. It is amazing to read through these texts to see His Word play out. The opening chapter of Mark says that Jesus is from Nazareth of Galilee. This is repeated throughout the Gospel on severaloccasions, and Bethlehem is never mentioned. Bethlehem is a small, obscure town only ten kilometers south of Jerusalem. After the birth, Joseph and Mary are visited not by wise men butshepherds, who were also overjoyed at Jesus birth. So today, when the importance of Bethlehem is heard in Christmas carols or displayed in. Birth stories in Bethlehem solidified the claim that Jesus was a rightful descendant of King David. When we are able to look at the why of Jesus and his birth place, we are able to fully see Gods plan and watch how it unfolds from the birth of Jesus to the end. Jesse was a wealthy land owner in Bethlehem, a sheep rancher rather than aBedouinwith a few herd animals. I connected better in reading it and got a better understanding of Jesus and Mary life style compared to my life style. ." Jesus reiterated these truths in the gospel of John when He declared Himself the Bread of life. Often times, people forget about the significance of Jesus born in Bethlehem and focus too much on where he was born specificallya manageras we see in Christmas plays and skits, just as Jarmichael stated in his blog post as well. I feel that is because the origin of where Jesus was born is not as important as it was back in his day. In fact, Luke strongly implies that Joseph actually lived in Bethlehem, which is why he was forced to return there to register for the census. Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels, Zondervan Academic, Grand Rapids, MI, 2020. Thus, Luke's record of this taxation reveals that the birth of Jesus took place during the autumn" (Appendix E). Jesus, according to some biblical sources, was born in this town some two millennia ago. This Christmas, may we all feast on the One who longs to daily nourish and sustain us and fill us with overflowing, beyond what we can imagination. Some do not mention Bethlehem or Jesus birth at all. He argues that Jesus is never called "Jesus of Bethlehem" in the Gospels, but always "Jesus of Nazareth.". During my childhood I was not focused on the details of the birth of Jesus. Article Images Copyright 2022 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. It states, "The taxation and census decree by Caesar Augustus was carried out according to the Jewish custom which required that such taxes be collected after the fall harvest. This truth was underscored by the miraculous provision of the bread for five thousand people (John 6:5-13). But, I do not believe that the how on Mary and Joseph getting to Bethlehem holds major significance but that they did arrive and give birth to Jesus there as God said they would in Micah 5:2, But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days (ESV). A kindly innkeeper (dressed in your uncles bathrobe and sandals) allows the couple to give birth in his barn. As the Greek historian Polybius explains, the renown deeds of ancestors are part of the heritage of posterity.. I wonder if it ever clicked for them later in Jesus life when he was doing that their sons birth in Bethlehem was significant not only in location but in relation to his Davidic lineage. Regardless of whether these claims were accepted at the time to be true, they shaped a persons ethnic identity, political status and claims to honor. It then mentions how Joseph, Mary and infant Jesus leave for Egypt to escape King Herods attempt toassassinateall young children. The Gospel explains that after their visit, Joseph has adreamwhere he is warned of Herods attempt to kill baby Jesus. The news he then told her left this young virgin confused. The name Jesus came from the Aramaic name "Yeshua", from Hebrew Yah-shua, meaning "God is salvation (or deliverance)" in English, and was a popular name of the time.Jesus is often called "Jesus Christ" or "Christ". Scholars such as John Meier, John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg, and Bart Ehrman have published book after book exploring the history behind the gospels. Daniel 5:5-12 What was the Meaning of the Handwriting on the Wall? that such a Roman taxation census would be taken in Judea (Luke 2:1 - 4) and the surrounding area. 144 views, 2 likes, 3 loves, 7 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Cornerstone Elim Church: Sunday 11th Dec 2022 The Gospel of Luke includes no flight to Egypt, no paranoid King Herod, no murder of children and no wise men visiting baby Jesus. Luke says these shepherds were notified about Jesus location in Bethlehem by angels. Jesus is born there with no prior mention of Nazareth. However, people of Jesus' day knew he was from Nazareth, "Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. After this, He proclaimed: I amthe bread of life. Rodolfo Galvan Estrada III does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. This truly shows the humble beginnings of Jesus. Stephen Carlson argues that Bethlehem was Joseph's actual family home, and not just his ancestral home. For Luke, it was a necessary absurdity. He stated, "And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, you being least among the thousands of Judah, out of you He (Jesus) shall come forth (be born) to Me, that is to become Ruler in Israel . The Gospels different views might be hard to reconcile. This is not to say that John was unaware of Bethlehems significance. Dr. Long, I love your points on the importance of Jesus being born in Bethlehem. I knew it, we learned about it in the church, but the why had never occurred to me. As the Greek historian Polybius explains, the renown deeds of ancestors are part of the heritage of posterity.. But God heard their cries and sent a liberator to set them free and lead them to the Promised Land. Phillip J. But as ascholarof the New Testament, what I argue is that the Gospels offer an important insight into the Greco-Roman views ofethnic identity, including genealogies. Scripture says He didnt just give them a taste or enough to hold them to their next meal. But Jesus according to Johns Gospel is never associated with Bethlehem, but with Galilee, and more specifically,Nazareth. In this story of the destitute widow and the Bethlehem man who later married, protected, and provided for her, we see a picture of Jesus, our kinsman redeemer. But there are other reasons why it was important for Jesus to be born in the little town of Bethlehem., First, the Messiah was to be the son of David, the first King of Israel. And as for Kataluma? When looking at the prophecies and history before Jesus was born, it is truly amazing to see God work. Long has taught full time at Grace Christian University since 1998, specializing in Bible and Biblical languages. Yesterday I discussed Matthew's account of how it is that Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem, if in fact he "came" from Nazareth. Jesus was the Messiah, so he was born in Bethlehem. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Some do not mention Bethlehem or Jesus birth at all. A Nativity scene showing the birth of Jesus in a manger. While it is fun to know the birth place of Jesus and write songs about it, it doesnt define our belief or relationship with God the way it may have to the much earlier audiences of Matthew and Lukes time. Would it not have been fitting that the Lamb of God be born in asheepfold? This village that birthed our Redeemer has a rich history of redemption. He did the same with the fish(John 6:11, NIV, emphasis mine). Instead, they travel north to Nazareth in Galilee, which is modern-day Nazareth in Israel. (Micah 5:2, HBFV throughout). The image of David when he begins his career is of a boy-shepherd who was at the same time a warrior capable of defeating great enemies because the Lord is with him, and he is committed to the Lord. According to scholars, Bethlehems size and location was rather insignificant at this time. Here's why Gospels conflict on location of his birth; belief may have caught on because the Christian messiah is supposed to be descended from King. The Gospel says that the star of Bethlehem subsequently leads them to a house not amanger where Jesus has been born to Joseph and Mary. Thus, what P.Long mentions at the end of the blog post is the most pivotal point because he states that The messiah is therefore thought to be the ultimate fulfillment of the son of David prophecies. Well when reading the article presented by Long he states the Messiah was to be the son of David who was the first King of Israel. In one stream of Jewish thought, the Messiah was expected to be an everlasting ruler from thelineage of David. Used in Temple worship, bread also came to symbolize Gods provision and presence and played an important role in Jewish Passover celebrations. But within the Hebrew Bible, a prophetic book calledMicah, thought to be written around B.C. Strauss mentions that some scholars think that the Gospels included that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to simply fulfill the Divinic prophesies, but was not necessarily the real place Jesus was born (2020). In Jesus' country, anointing was done to show that a . NB: Working with Logos on an iPad so, pages no page numberswe both need a better way to spend Christmas Eve!). He has Masters degrees in Biblical Exposition and Old Testament from Talbot School of Theology (BIOLA) and a PhD in New Testament from Andrews University. These were not the only ones. Strauss also states that critics deny this place as Jesus birthplace. The primary reason the birth of Jesus took place in Bethlehem was to fulfill the prophecy given by the minor prophet Micah. While considering this information, I think it can be beneficial to have this knowledge of the significance of Bethlehem. It was important that Jesus be born in Bethlehem to fulfill this prophecy. In Matthew's the family was apparently from Bethlehem and traveled to Nazareth after a side trip to Egypt (Moses, get it). for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Strauss is discussing a topic that is predicted in Micah 5:2-5; a might ruler, meaning Jesus, will be born in Bethlehem, someone who is considered to be the new David, and will bring life and security to the nation (Strauss, 2007). Bethlehem means house of bread (beth: house, lehem:of bread), and bread held great importance in Bible times. He planned everything in detail. Caesar Augustus, who was the first Roman emperor, was proclaimed as a descendant of Apollo. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heavenand gives life to the world (John 6:32-33). Bethlehem was also the hometown of Ruths father-in-law, Elimelech, and where she met Boaz, her kinsman redeemer. It does however make sense through this quote, why it was important for the origins of the birth to be what they were. Jesus is circumcised (Luke 2:21) and then presented in the Jerusalem temple (Luke 2:22-38). A blind beggar in the Gospel of Mark describes Jesus as both from Nazareth and the son of David, the second king of Israel and Judah during 1010-970 B.C. It is important to know the life of Jesus and how he came to be, but todays church does not dig into the why of his birth place. Caesar Augustus, who was the first Roman emperor, was proclaimed as a descendant of Apollo. 91 views, 5 likes, 3 loves, 4 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Living Word Lutheran Church: Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2022. While the town was likely small, it was well within the range of Sauls capital; elders from Bethlehem would have been well aware of court politics. Jennifer Slatteryis a writer and speaker whos addressed womens groups, church groups,Biblestudies, and writers across the nation. growing up and watching and doing other research I never thought of this aspect of why Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem and why that was significant to Gods vision along with Jesus throughout his life. Luke 2:1-7 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 1. When the wise men went to Herod with the news that a child had been born to be the king of the Jews, he made a plan to kill all young children to remove the threat to his throne. Matthew focuses on the aspect of fulfilling of the prophecy in Micah, while Luke instead takes on a different perspective and he focuses more on the lineage of David more broadly. GOD creator of the universe, creator of life and the master of everything cannot be impotent. The Gospel of Luke, an account of Jesus life which was written during the same period as the Gospel of Matthew, has a different version of Jesus birth. Although these points are not super crucial to finding out why Jesus was born in Bethlehem, it is still interesting to think that God made it so that the prophecy would be proven to be true. Bethlehem is in Asia, not Africa. But, not trusting God to come through on His promise, or perhaps not understanding the prophesy previously spoken to his mother, Jacob tricked his father into giving him the blessing intended for his brother. But I must admit I enjoyed and I was intrigued by your three reasons why it was important for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. Galileeis Jesus hometown. The nativity of Jesus, nativity of Christ, birth of Jesus or birth of Christ is described in the biblical gospels of Luke and Matthew.The two accounts agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judaea, his mother Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph, who was descended from King David and was not his biological father, and that his birth was caused by divine intervention. His position came as a gifta gift he would have received, even if he hadnt manipulated the situation. These were valuable gifts, especially frankincense and myrrh, which were costly fragrances that had medicinal use. Located six miles south of Jerusalem, this small trade-route village stood between the Holy City and Egypt. Psalm 2 is a text which was originally used at the enthronement of a king, but the Psalm cannot describe any single human; that the nations will be ruled by a son of David who sits on the throne with the Lord himself goes well beyond an enthronement text. The ATS is a funding partner of The Conversation US. Here's why He was born there. In ancient times, family members could redeem or buy back individuals who had sold themselves into slavery. And a Jewish writer named Philo who lived in the first century wrote thatAbraham and the Jewish priest and prophetswere born of God. For example, in his book The Historical Jesus (2008), Princeton New Testament historian James Charlesworth raised the question of whether or not Jesus was really born in Bethlehem at all. To the people of the time the Gospels were written, it would have been much more important to them that Jesuss birth fell in line with Divinic prophecies, verses us today, who may not see this fact as important. Bethlehem literally translates as "house of bread" (beth: home, lehem: of bread), and food was extremely important throughout biblical times. He was born in Bethlehem, but He was raised in Nazareth, thus His title is "Jesus of Nazareth" not "Jesus of Bethlehem." "Nazareth" means "despised place." Its reputation is emphasized in the remark of John 1:46: "And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? It was a staple in the ancient diet and provided not only comfort but nourishment necessary for survival. He will reign forever! The word Christ comes from the Greek word christos and means "the one marked on the head with oil" or "the anointed one". Jesus was originally born in Bethlehem, and then moved to Egypt to escape Herod. Advice and Safety Tips for Online Dating: An Interview with a Christian Online Dating Expert, 6 Ways to Not Dread the In-Laws for the Holidays, 10 Signs You Might Be a Scrooge This Holiday Season, How to Keep the Spirit Alive When Dad Can't Be Home for Christmas, 10 Things You Need to Know about the Unforgivable Sin, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, Bethlehem was the hometown where he was required to register. They made sure that readers were aware of Jesus genealogical connection to King David with the mention of this city. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. David was from the village of Bethlehem, a son of Jesse. A careful reading of the gospels makes this more evident. Luke also mentions that Joseph, Mary and Jesus leave Bethlehem eight days after his birth and travel to Jerusalem and then to Nazareth. The Davidic covenant describes the son of David, Solomon, in terms which cannot be fully applied to Solomon. He did not arrive on the Earth with the glory of heaven reigning down with Him, rather he humbled himself to be born in a barn in a small town of Bethlehem surrounded by farm animals. Why Do the Gospels Differ on Jesus' Birth. We serve a life-giving God of abundance who provides daily for our needs. Jesus finds hisfirst disciples, does severalmiraclesand has brothers inGalilee. The opening chapter of Mark says that Jesus is from Nazareth of Galilee. This is repeated throughout the Gospel on several occasions, and Bethlehem is never mentioned. Also, Luke 2:6 implies that they were in Bethlehem for a while before Jesus was born ("while they were there, the days were completed "). Not only was this common in the Roman Empire to travel for tax purposes, but it also allowed for the Messiah to fulfill a couple of prophecies. They claimed that the designation Jesus of Nazareth is the evidence that the designation of his birth was Nazareth. Nazareth to Bethlehem) as opposed to the middle of winter. Most people back then believed that the Messiah would be born a ruler and would conquer the ones who opposed Israel starting at a young age. And He will stand to lead His flock with the Lords strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. To Recap. The Gospel of Mark is the earliest account of Jesus life, written around A.D. 60. John Meier, a scholar on the historical Jesus,explainsthat Jesus birth at Bethlehem is to be taken not as a historical fact but as a theological affirmation put into the form of an apparently historical narrative. 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