Why doesn't Matthew mention the shepherds in his nativity story?

Answer 1

Luke's gospel provides details of events that occurred on the night Jesus was born (including the visit of the shepherds) that Matthew's gospel doesn't. Conversely, the visit of the wise men as recorded in Matthew is not mentioned in Luke.

The shepherds see Jesus as a newborn babe in the manger in Bethlehem (Luke 2:16). When the wise men arrive, Matthew says they come into a house and see the young child with Mary His mother (Matthew 2:11). By this time, Jesus is as much as two years old, as evidenced by Herod's slaughter of all the male children in Bethlehem and the surrounding area "from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men." (Matthew 2:16, NKJV).

Nativity scenes that depict the shepherds and the wise men together with the newborn Jesus combine details of the two accounts. Unfortunately, this is scripturally inaccurate and a cause of confusion.

Answer 2

Matthew's gospel focuses on the visit of the Magi, who were seen as wise men from the East, rather than the shepherds. This narrative choice reflects a symbolic theme in Matthew's gospel, emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and a universal savior for both Jews and Gentiles. The emphasis on the Magi also highlights Jesus' role as a king, as they come to pay homage to him as the newborn king of the Jews.