← Jesus' childhood (Nativity)

  1. PER010 Joseph's first dream

    The article explores Joseph's dream in the Gospel of Matthew, revealing how his visions and decisions influence Mary's life and perceptions of Jesus. By taking Mary into his home, Joseph legitimises Jesus' birth despite malicious rumours.

    Matthew 1.18-25 (King James Version) :
    Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  2. PER013 The birth of Jesus the Messiah.

    This article analyses Jesus' birth in relation to several biblical texts and historical elements, such as the festival of Sukkot and Herod's rule. It surveys the challenges Mary and Joseph faced during their stay in Bethlehem and the theological significance of this event.

    Matthew 1.24 (King James Version) :
    Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  3. PER020 The Magi from the East meet Herod

    This article examines the Magi's meeting with Herod, recounted in the Gospel of Matthew, highlighting its importance in affirming Jesus' kingship. It places the visit in its historical context, exploring the Magi's motives and Herod's intentions while discussing Jesus' birth and its historical and theological implications.

    Matthew 2.1-8 (King James Version) :
    Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  4. CHR008 The death of King Herod the Great

    The study explores the chronology of the death of Herod the Great, which affects the dating of the birth and ministry of Jesus. Based on the work of Schürer, who proposes the year 4 BC, it stresses the importance of reconsidering historical interpretations in light of the texts of Flavius Josephus.

    Luke 3.1-23 (King James Version) :
    Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

Further reading
  • ANN080 Is Jesus a mamzer?

    The article examines the theory that Jesus might be a 'mamzer', the offspring of a union forbidden by Jewish law, because of his conception…

  • ANN062 The manger in Bethlehem

    This article examines the Christmas nativity scene tradition, comparing the historical accounts with its modern cultural representation. It draws on the Gospel of Luke…

  • ANN003 The birth and ministry of John the Baptist

    This appendix studies the birth and ministry of John the Baptist through the Gospel of Luke. It introduces his parents, Zechariah and…

  • ANN013 The Star of Bethlehem

    The article analyses the star of Bethlehem in the Gospel of Matthew, questioning whether it was symbolic or real. It describes how the Magi, through their expertise…