0
However, many scholars believe that Matthew's magi did not really exist. John Shelby Spong (A Bishop Rethinks the Birth of Jesus) says that among people he knows in New Testament circles, the universal assumption is that the magi, or wise men, were not actual people. Matthew was writing Christian midrash, with the purpose of telling his readers that even the priests from Persia would have wanted to honour Jesus.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Mary and Joseph were required to go to Bethlehem for a census ordered by the Roman authorities. Bethlehem was Joseph's ancestral hometown, so they had to travel there together for the census, even though Mary was close to giving birth to Jesus.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoBishop Spong (Born of a Woman: A Bishop Rethinks the Birth of Jesus) says that among people he knows in New Testament circles, the universal assumption is that the magiwere not actual people. So, not just Spong but those of his acquaintance believe that Matthew was writing Christian midrash. The magi did not really come to Bethlehem, from the east or otherwise.
Hwever, it is possible to say why Matthew portrayed them as coming from the east. The magi were priests of the Zoroastrian religion of Persia. Matthew was demonstrating that the priests of this great religion wished to worship the baby Jesus. He was also associating the virgin birth of Jesus with the virgin birth of the Zoroastrian religion's hoped-for Saoshyant who, in many ways resembles Jesus.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoShe was going to be his wife and there was what is called a census. In those times during a census one had to take themselves and their family to the place were they where born. That's why she went with him.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoWiki User
∙ 10y agoMary and Joseph went to Bethlehem to register with the Roman Government. Unbeknown to anyone God planned that Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem so that a prophecy about the Messiah could be fulfilled, and that prophecy was that the coming Messiah would come out of Bethlehem. Jesus the Christ fulfilled that prophecy when He was born to Mary in Bethlehem.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoA:
In Luke's Gospel, the census of Quirinius, undertaken in 6 CE, required Joseph to travel to Bethlehem. They returned from Bethlehem to their home in Galilee soon after the birth of Jesus. The census was ordered by Emperor Augustus after Judea was made a direct province of Rome, so that Rome could calculate the taxes to be collected in Judea. Scholars say it is unclear why a resident of Galilee would need to participate in the census, as Galilee remained autonomous and therefore exempt from Roman taxes.
In Matthew's Gospel, Joseph and Mary did not need to travel to Bethlehem, as they already lived there. However, they were forced to flee to Egypt soon after the birth of Jesus, and remained there probably for several years until Herod, king of Judea, had died.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoAccording to the roman decree , they went to Bethlehem , as it was Josephs hometown.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Who visited Mary before Jesus birth?
After Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the shepherds were the first to visit him, according to the New Testament. The angels announced the birth to the shepherds, who then went to see Jesus in the manger.
How did Mary give birth to Jesus when he made her?
In Christian belief, Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit while remaining a virgin. This belief, known as the Virgin Birth, is a key tenet of the Christian faith as outlined in the Bible. The miraculous conception of Jesus is seen as a sign of his divine nature.
What does the Bible verse found in the book of Luke chapter 1 verse 31 say?
The Bible verse found in Luke 1:31 states: "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus." This verse is part of the annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary by the angel Gabriel.
What problems did Saint Joseph face?
Saint Joseph faced challenges such as dealing with the news of Mary's pregnancy, finding a stable place for Mary to give birth in Bethlehem, fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod's order to kill baby Jesus, and raising Jesus as a carpenter despite not being his biological father.
Where did Mary laid Jesus after wrapping him in cloths?
Mary laid Jesus in a manger after wrapping him in cloths, as there was no room for them in the inn.
What city did Mary give birth to Jesus?
Bethlehem
What town did Mary give birth to her son?
Bethlehem of Judea, not far from Jerusalem
How do you diagram the sentence Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Bethlehem?
In a sentence diagram, "Mary" and "Joseph" would be connected by a horizontal line as compound subjects. "Took" is the predicate verb, and "Jesus" is the direct object connected to "took" by a diagonal line. "Bethlehem" would be diagrammed as the object of the preposition "to."
Who visited Mary before Jesus birth?
After Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the shepherds were the first to visit him, according to the New Testament. The angels announced the birth to the shepherds, who then went to see Jesus in the manger.
Is Mary Jesus' first disciple?
No, Mary was chosen by an angel of God to give birth to baby Jesus, but she was not his first decibel.
Why did Jesus pick Mary to be his mother?
Jesus did not pick Mary to be his Mother. Jehovah selected the Virgin Mary to give birth to Jesus. The bible refers to Mary as highly favorable one.
Did mary give birth after jesus?
Yes she had sons and a daughter as well.
Is a Bethlehem donkey a miniature donkey?
A Bethlehem donkey developed a black stripe down its back and one across its front shoulders creating a cross. These donkys only developed this after carrying Mary to Bethehem to give birth to Jesus Christ. This is a proven fact. WTB
How many gospels have the story of the birth of Jesus which ONE?
The only gospel to actually tell "the story of the birth of Jesus" is Luke.Matthew's gospel tells of related events before and after, but contains no details of the day of His birth.
When did Zeus give birth to Jesus?
Zeus is a god of the ancient Greek pantheon and is not mentioned in the Bible. The Bible says that Mary gave birth to Jesus.
How did Mary give birth to Jesus when he made her?
In Christian belief, Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit while remaining a virgin. This belief, known as the Virgin Birth, is a key tenet of the Christian faith as outlined in the Bible. The miraculous conception of Jesus is seen as a sign of his divine nature.
Was there more then one Bethlehem during Jesus time?
According to the history channel, there was another Bethlehem that was only about 5 miles from them . Instead of 30 miles away. Would it make sense that Mary being in the 9th mo. would travel to the closest location to give birth especially on a donkey.
