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NASB | Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king (Herod the Great), magi (wise men) from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, |
Bible Question:
When the magi visited Jesus, was he in Bethlehem or Nazareth? Luke and Matthew seem to have conflicting accounts. Luke has Jesus returning with his parents to Nazareth after they had him consecrated to the Lord in the Temple in Jerusalem. Matthew has him in Bethlehem for 2 years. Why would Mary and Joseph stay in Bethlehem for two years when their home was in Nazareth? It doesn't make sense to me. Can anyone clarify? |
Bible Answer: 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. |