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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:
Thank you for your response. I completely forgot about the disgrace issue with Mary, but I would like to point out some things, that are still bothering me. Nazareth is about 100 kilometers away from Bethlehem (2 hrs by car, about a week to a week and a half by foot). Bethlehem is about 5 to 8 km outside of Jerusalem. With that in mind - think of the star (it's proximity to Jerusalem and Bethlehem and surrounding vicinity) it could be seen apparently for miles. Being so close to Jerusalem and Herod's henchmen, wouldn't Herod or someone in the vicinity have seen it before the Magi arrived? Assuming of course they had arrived almost 2 years later. Also, since it was so visible, would it have been wise for Mary and Joseph to have stayed in Bethlehem for close to 2 years? (Just a thought). Also, Nazareth was North of Jerusalem (Bethlehem south of Jerusalem) why would Mary and Joseph complete their duties at the temple then turn back to Bethlehem when their home was in the opposite direction? There is the disgrace issue and of course the census probably did take some time. But two years? One more thing, we know there was a two year time frame because of Herod's decision to kill all male children 2 yrs old and younger. If it had been a 40 day time frame he would have killed just newborn males. As you can see I have many questions in regards to this. |
Bible Answer: Scripture ... Luke 1:26-27, 2:4; Matt 2:16, 22-23 ... We do not know why they stayed in Bethlehem. Herod, or his soldiers, didn't need see the star ... just follow the magi. That would have given the precise location. Seeing the star would have only give them the proximate location. Luke 1:26-27 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, (27) to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Luke 2:4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, Matt 2:16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Matt 2:22-23 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: "He shall be called a Nazarene." The disgrace may have also been why there was no room in the inn. Two years may have been an excuse. Searcher |