The Chronological Relation of the Birth Narratives in Matthew and Luke

I have been contemplating the birth narratives of Jesus throughout the season leading up to the Christmas. Of particular interest has been the possible harmonization of the Matthean and Lukan accounts. I have always been troubled by why Luke would comment so much on the birth night versus Matthew’s telling of later events.

In considering these two accounts, Matthew is dated to 1 to 2 years following the birth night of Luke 2. The explanation for dating the events of Matthew 2 to this later period is based on limited exegetical details. As I considered the argument for this later dating, I was surprised by a more likely reading that views the accounts as explaining contemporary events.

1) Matthew 2:1 explains the events occurred after Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Since Luke explains Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem from Nazareth for the purpose of a census, it seems improbable for them to remain in Bethlehem for 2 years. There is no indication that Joseph would be pausing his carpentry or leaving his home built during betrothal for this extended period.

2) The words of Matthew 2:16 tell that Herod’s decree was to kill all male children under 2 years old. From this detail, many readers take Jesus’ likely age as close to 2 years of age. This seems an unnecessary deduction from the text. This could be understood as an exaggerated reaction by Herod without cause. From the dialogues of Herod with the Magi, the age of the “newborn king of the Jews” is never discussed. The words used for the “child” throughout the passage do not in any way indicate age. No specificity should be derived from the term as it could indicate a two year old or an infant.

3) Finally, some readers make emphasis on the term of Matthew 2:11 that the child is with his mother in a house. This is normally contrasted to the word used in Luke 2 that the child was born in a manger, because there was no place for them in the “inn.” With a clearer understanding of the Greek word for “inn” reveals the preferred reading of Matthew 2 as contemporary with Luke 2.

Inn is a word better translated as a guest room in a private home divided by a curtain. Luke is well aware of another Greek word that would clearly communicate an inn (a temporary dwelling for travelers for commercial gain of the owner). The “inn” word is used by Luke in the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. It is also used in Luke 22 when Jesus’ disciples looked for a place to celebrate the Last Supper or Passover Sader.

Thus, it seems a more likely interpretation that the manger was the animal housing structure connected to a home. Mary and Joseph stayed with the animals because there was no room in the guest room. The home was likely a relative of Joseph since he was of the house and lineage of David. It seems probable that some relatives remained in the City of David. It is possible that some of Joseph’s ancestors returned from Babylonian captivity to Nazareth in Galilee during the return based on the decree of Cyrus.

If the inn of Luke 2 is really a domestic guest room, then Matthew’s house where the Magi visited is very likely Joseph’s relative’s home. Perhaps whoever occupied the guest room had now returned home allowing Mary and Joseph to reside inside during the visit of the Magi. This would mean that the Magi may have visited the newborn king short days or weeks since the night of Jesus’ birth. Thus, the reader can combine Luke 2 and Matthew 2 and see the ones declaring the birth of Messiah were angels, shepherds, and magi. Put your wiseman not too far from your nativity displays. They may have only been a day or two late!

My 100th Post: Reflections on My Blogging

Wow, my 100th post? It’s hard to believe that I have written that many posts and it is hard to believe that it has taken me over 3 years! I have been eyeing this milestone for quite some time. Even this week there is a post of links for Hebrew that I wanted to add quickly to my blog, but opted to save that until I had time to compose my 100th post.

I have done some reflecting on blogging over the last 3 years. I started hoping to hide and have an opportunity to somewhat anonymously present my ideas on the web. Then a friend mentioned he was starting a blog and wanted me to be a contributor. Oddly, enough I now think that might have been more productive for myself and for his blog. I declined his offer and let him know that I had already had a blog going. That was it. If you tell one person about your blog, then you will be bombarded (especially, when Facebook hadn’t taken off yet).

I experienced the fun of having many comments following my blog posts. Some heated discussion brought many visitors and opinions. I found myself trying to find ways to generate topics that would get comments. Slowly the buzz died, and comments got fewer and fewer. Soon, I didn’t feel like blogging myself. I had some very slow months where nothing substantive was posted.

Slowly I started generating posts again. The impetus was mostly a desire to formulate ideas. I found that the blogging process became an outlet for my thinking and articulation. I have become less desirous of generating comments (though let’s be honest, it’s nice to know others read and if anything might be an encouragement to others). My writing, an unpolished, thinking style of gab, does not actually help me write better academic papers or is worthy of any publication. I have spelling and grammatical mistakes, yet it helps me think about God and the world. The interplays of various mediums of my life (e.g. books, movies, news) have to be read with a Godward focus. Blogging is part of my reading process, although it mostly involves writing.

Thus, I blog now hoping to be an encouragement to others as the potential exists for someone to stumble across my musing. I write though more concerned about the benefit I receive from engaging in this discipline.

This blog has been named "Truth on Fire" for the purpose of trying to live an authentic Christian life that is passionate about truth. Truth corresponds to a divine view of the world as revealed in the Bible and meant for timely improvisation and application.

As this blog began as an overflow of my enjoyment of reading of the life of D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, I conclude with a point he made about preaching that I adapt for blogging. “Another element in this romance of preaching is that you never know who is going to be listening to you, and you never know what is going to happen to those who are listening to you. It may be the turning point in somebody’s life” (Jones, Preaching and Preachers. 1971, 301).

So too with blogging, I pray that my continued blogging may be something God can use in ways He sees fit.

Luke 1: Lessons on Believing the word of God

There are 4 basic scenes that occur in Luke 1. Scene 1 occurs at the temple in Jerusalem with the primary characters Zechariah, angel Gabriel, and the people (1:5-25). Scene 2 occurs in the city of Nazareth in Galilee with primary characters being Mary, a virgin, and Gabriel (1:26-38). Scene 3 occur in a town in Judah south of Galilee between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth (1:39-56). Scene 4 occurs with characters Zechariah, Elizabeth, and their neighbors presumably at the same town as scene 3 (1:57-80).

First, it is striking how scene 1 and scene 2 are juxtaposed. Luke is clearly pointing to a comparison and contrast to the two scenes and the characters involved. The character profiles tell the stories of two very different people.

Scene 1 Zechariah priest male in Jerusalem
Scene 2 Mary virgin female in Nazareth of Galillee

These strikingly different people both receive an angelic encounter. The piety of these two individuals is also clear as Zechariah is righteous and blameless. Mary found favor with God.

At this point the contrast begins to occur:

The angel’s message to Zechariah is that he and his wife will have a son. The angel instructs him on the special life his son will have. The son is to be named John.
The angel’s message to Mary is that she as a virgin will have a son. The angel instructs her on the special life her son will have. The son is to be named Jesus.

The contrast continues in the response of these two people:

Zechariah asks, “How shall I know this?” His concern was the age of he and his wife.
Mary asks, “How will this be?” Her concern is her virginity.

The question of either of these people seems to make sense as both are difficult to imagine.
Certainly, Zechariah was told something that harkened back to the story of the Patriarch Abraham. Mary was told something without parallel. The difference in the questions asked by Zechariah and Mary could not be bigger. Zechariah was asking for authentication and Mary was asking for more about the process.

Ø Gabriel explains that Zechariah did not believe, so he would be muted.

Ø Gabriel explains more details to believing Mary, and authenticated his message with the announcement of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.

Zechariah could not respond at that moment further because he was muted. Mary in contrast spoke of her humbleness before God and her desire for God’s word to be fulfilled.

Application:

In considering this leading chapter to the birth narrative of Jesus Christ, I am challenged in my own belief in the word of God. When I consider a promise of God do I ask how can it be true or how will God do it? Promises such as a way of escape in the face of temptation must be believed as coming from God. The return of Christ and His kingdom are certain promises that do not need further authentication.

I am also encouraged that faith can come from the unlikeliest of sources. A young girl, with no husband had great faith and was favored by God. Mary believed the message of God and serves as an example to everyone of what faith in God should look like. I should look to anyone as a possible place of faith and count no one out. I should also emphasize the faith in other around me. This admirable trait is worthy of recognition and can come from unlikely people and unlikely places.

Wisdom from Sirach

"Let your conversation be with men of understanding, and let all your discussion be about the law of the Most High. Let righteous men be your dinner companions, and let all your glorying be in the fear of the Lord."

-Sirach 9:15-16


These wise words are a good aim for everyone hosting or attending dinner parties. Just hanging out can have higher purposes as well.