Why did Joseph and Mary stay in Bethlehem for 2+ years after Jesus was born?
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The text of Matthew 3:11 says the Magi saw a "child" (παιδίον) not a "baby" (βρέφος) as in Luke 2:16. I think that, along with much other circumstantial evidence, makes it most natural to understand that they remained in Jerusalem several years. Just my opinion.
"In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley0 -
I always assumed St. Joseph found work while St. Mary was recovering from childbirth. Maybe they made plans to stay if he did well enough?
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Verbum Max0 -
"HAD LESS THAN FORTY DAYS..."?
Hm..The fact mentioned that Mary offered the offering of the poor (Luke 2:24). If she had received previously the gifts of the Magi, particularly the gold, we may suppose that she would have used it to provide a better offering.0 -
Mike Childs said:
The text of Matthew 3:11 says the Magi saw a "child" (παιδίον) not a "baby" (βρέφος) as in Luke 2:16.
personally, I don’t find this argument convincing and is at best inconclusive, as I think it assumes a level of technical precision in the Greek that is just not there. A child may be a baby as much a baby may be a child.
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My own view is that each position has strengths and weaknesses forming an unresolvable tension this side of new creation. And since neither position has any significance doctrinal impact (only effecting the reading of a tiny portion of Luke and Matthew, I see no point in being hardline about it. I’m in the evangelical minority who believe that the Magi visited Jesus as a newborn baby - mainly disagree And that’s fine by me.
Carpe verbum.
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Wow 6 years and another thread gets resurrected. It allows me to time travel 🧭 🧳 in my mind of course 😂 no secret watches or time machines.
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Liam Maguire said:
My own view is that each position has strengths and weaknesses forming an unresolvable tension this side of new creation. And since neither position has any significance doctrinal impact (only effecting the reading of a tiny portion of Luke and Matthew, I see no point in being hardline about it. I’m in the evangelical minority who believe that the Magi visited Jesus as a newborn baby - mainly disagree And that’s fine by me.
I certainly agree with your statement that "I see no point in being hardline about it." I do find the use of "child" (παιδίον) to be more convincing that you, but not conclusive, I agree. But with the other details in Matthew, I think it unlikely that there was a quick return to Nazareth after the birth.
"In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley0
