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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 visit Bethlehem or Nazareth | Matt 2:1 | Jacoba | 72912 | ||
The magi visited Bethlehem, where Jesus lived until he was about two (Jesus is called a young child in Matthew 2.11, not a baby). I believe God led them to stay there until the magi's arrival. The magi's gifts financed the Joseph ben Jacob family's move to Egypt and their stay until Herod died. Remember, Mary was kind of in disgrace with this pregnancy, so I can see how they didn't hurry back to Nazareth. Also, they had been directed to Bethlehem for a census. I imagine it took a while to register all the people who had returned to Bethlehem who were of the lineage of David. Also, I believe that Bethlehem is geographically closer to Jerusalem than Nazareth, and Joseph probably considered the arduous journey with a post-partum mother and a new baby wasn't practical. | ||||||
2 | Did the Magi visit Bethlehem or Nazareth | Matt 2:1 | Pastor Shaun | 164359 | ||
We do not know how long Mary and Joseph remained in Bethlehem. Luke implies that they left following Jesus dedication. We should not be quick to assume that the Magi arrived two years after the birth of Christ. The text only implies that it was two years after the Magi noticed the star. Nothing indicates that the star appeared at His birth. It was a sign for His birth. Herod killing all infants under two years of age could also be influenced by his paranoia. The text is open enough to support the Magi's arrival anywhere from days to two years after Christ's birth. NOTE: Does anyone know if biblical Jewish culture calculated age different from our european method. Several asian cultures consider someone to be one year old at birth. This would impact the interpretation of this text. It also does not say that the Magi followed the star only that they responded to it. The star's location and constellation may have been enough information for them to look for a King of the Jews. We often read into the text details that are not there but that we have recieved through tradition, song, and media. |
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