Barton's Bible Study Notes

Life of Christ: Unit 2 - Sections 11-21

Read Matthew 1:25, Luke 2:1-7 and John 1:14, each of which deals with the birth of Jesus Christ, the incarnation, i.e., the point at which God became a man. Each writer includes that material that is relevant to the main point of the particular Gospel. Compare Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts with John’s.

1. Which is more biographical and historical, and which is more theological or philosophical?

Read Luke 2:8-39, an account of the events immediately following the birth of our Lord. In sending out ‘birth announcements’ of the Messiah, the future king of the whole earth, God chooses to tell nearby shepherds, an old man, and a widow in Jerusalem.

2. Why do you suppose God told these people rather than the heads of state and the religious leaders of this day?

Read Matthew 2:1-12. This records the visit of the Magi (Wise men - not kings) from someplace in the east. We know very little about them, except they were probably believers. There were Jewish settlements established in the area of what was Babylonia during the exile. Many of these continued after Darius allowed people to return to Palestine. Many Jews chose to remain in exile. Although the Magi do not seem to be Jewish, they may have come to believe through these exiled Jews. Their visit did not occur the same night that our Lord was born but at a later date. While it might have been as much as two years following His birth since Herod killed all babies in Bethlehem two years of age and younger, it more likely occurred within a short time of the birth of our Lord. Joseph and Mary and the baby were still in Bethlehem; they had not yet returned to their home. They were in a house, but one would expect they would seek better accommodations the next day. Finally, it would not be out of character for Herod to make sure he killed the rival to his throne by having all babies two and under to be slaughtered. Note: Manger scenes, which include the Magi, are not “historically” accurate in that they did not come that night, but accurate in that they did visit shortly after that in all likelihood.

3. Why do you think Matthew included this account but not the other writers of the Gospels?

Read Matthew 2:13-23. This passage often upsets some readers because God allowed many innocent babies to be murdered while our Lord escaped. God warned Joseph and Mary, but none of the other inhabitants of Bethlehem.

4. Why do you think God allowed all the young babies in Bethlehem to be murdered? Was God unjust in doing this?

Read Luke 2:39-52. Very little is told about our Lord’s childhood. Luke alone tells us of this one instance.

5. Why, in your opinion, doesn’t God tell us more about our Lord’s childhood?

The Applications:

What are the applications of these passages to our lives today? Identify as many as you are able.