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.

4 min birth Jesus Bethlehem Herod Sukkot 3 verses 2 books

Resources

You can consult:

Biblical texts

Matthew
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
Matthew
Matthew 2.1-2 (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.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Mark
Mark (King James Version) not cited in the book
Luke
Luke 2.6-7 (King James Version)

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
John
John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: Bethlehem in Judea

Date: 12 October -2 BC. The festival of , or Tabernacles, begins on 15 Tishri, 11 October -2 BC in our Gregorian calendar, and lasts seven days

Method: We continue with Luke

Note on the method: Matthew also cites this passage

The first census of Quirinius

Jesus is born during Joseph and Mary's stay in Bethlehem in Judea

The birth of Jesus

The birth of Jesus

Comments

We understand that, with her pregnancy near its end and the added fatigue of the journey, labour soon began despite all the precautions taken.

The influx of pilgrims made finding accommodation difficult. A tent would normally have sufficed, but was no longer an option for childbirth.

Indeed, during the major festivals, the poor stayed in tents some distance from Jerusalem.

With this census and especially the festival of , no accommodation remained, so this place normally reserved for animals would have to do temporarily. It was becoming urgent to settle in, prepare everything and find a midwife. Despite the angel Gabriel's promise, the couple were anxious to see whether the child would indeed be a boy.

Matthew briefly addresses Jesus the Messiah's birth. The clarification concerning the couple's marital relations is crucial, since Joseph had no part whatsoever in this utterly exceptional pregnancy.

The detail that Jesus is the firstborn son is particularly relevant to understanding that, although the infant Jesus' birth was unique, the couple's subsequent life was entirely ordinary.

Matthew's historical reference, ‘in the time of King Herod’, is significant. We will later examine Herod's death and Jesus the Messiah's birth date in detail; we have established the latter as 12 October in the year -2. Notably, Mark and John make no reference to this birth.