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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Did the Magi go to Bethleham or Nazareth | NT general Archive 1 | TruthCKR | 164037 | ||
I am struggling with reconciling the time line of the account in Mathew chapter 2 of Joseph taking Mary and the child Jesus from Bethleham to Egypt to avoid Herod's wrath and the subsequent return to Nazareth with Luke's account of them going to Nazareth after the baby Jesus was dedicated in the temple in Jerusalem in chapter 2. This would make sense if the Magi visited Jesus in Nazareth and not Bethleham. Is this the case? Otherwise, the timing seems off. | ||||||
2 | Did the Magi go to Bethleham or Nazareth | NT general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 164038 | ||
Greetings TruthCKR! Allow me to repost an earlier post of mine in response to a similar question: ********************* It is important to look at all of the details in order to answer this question. We know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7). We also know that circumcision took place on the 8th day after birth (Luke 2:21). We know that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem for the circumcision (Luke 2:22). We know that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus returned to Nazareth (Luke 2:39). The account in Matthew is where most people get confused. The Magi were not at Jesus' birth. They saw the star, began their journey, and arrived some time later. The evidence in Matthew indicates that they may have arrived two years later. 1) After determing the time of the appearence of the star, Herod orders the execution of all male children 2 years old and younger. 2) Matthew uses the word for a 'child', not 'baby' to describe Jesus. So, Jesus was probably about 2 years old when the Magi arrived at where He was (Mt. 2:9), not where He was born. At that point, Joseph is warned to travel to Egypt until the death of Herod. I hope this helps! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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3 | When did Jesus first live in Nazareth? | NT general Archive 1 | TruthCKR | 164040 | ||
Thanks for the response! I understand the 2 year potential span difference and came to the same conclusion, so I can see how these accounts can be accurate from that perspective. But this does not really answer my question about where the Magi visited Jesus. Matthew 2:8 says that Herod sent them to Bethlehem, but in verse 9 he says that the star "went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was." (NIV). This could very well have been Nazareth. However, in verse 21-23, it seems to indicate that Joseph was originally going to return to some place other than Nazareth, but went to Nazareth only after being warned in a dream not to go where he originally planned to go. This account leads one to think that it was only after the return from Egypt that Jesus lived in Nazareth. Can you see my dilemma? | ||||||
4 | When did Jesus first live in Nazareth? | NT general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 164046 | ||
Greetings TruthCKR! I see your question! The problem is that Scripture simply doesn't specify in enough detail to answer the question for sure. There are a couple of possibilities that come to mind though. 1) Matthew doesn't actually record that the Magi went to Bethlehem. They could have followed the star to Nazareth. 2) Luke could be simply condensing the story, and leaves out the entire trip to Egypt. 3) They could have went to Nazareth after the circumcision, then moved to Bethlehem, then moved to Egypt after the angel's warning. Whichever may be the case (perhaps one I haven't even thought of yet), there is no major difficulty with these texts. Have a great day! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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Questions and/or Subjects for NT general Archive 1 | Author | ||
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joshlau7 | ||
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seedling | ||
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LANELoveThe Lord | ||
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TruthCKR | ||
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Morant61 | ||
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TruthCKR | ||
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Morant61 | ||
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Evangelistit |