Bible Study Moment: Jesus’ Birth
We’ve probably all heard some people say that the Bible is full of contradictions. One that I’ve heard concerns the birth of Jesus stories, how Luke has them in a stable while Matthew has them in a house. Of course Luke’s story is when Jesus is born, and Joseph and Mary have found temporary shelter. Matthew’s story is up to 2+ years later, with the visit of the Magi. We know it is later since King Herod decides to have all the boys 2 years old and younger killed. So perhaps one of the plans Joseph had with the issue of Mary being pregnant before they got married was to move, and then he “slept on it” and that is what they did. So by the time of the Magi’s visit they are now in more permanent housing, like a house.
Mark Phillips