Was the journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem dangerous?

Good morning All,

I'm studying the caravan train of Mary & Joseph w/ young Jesus in Luke chapter 2 as they journeyed south from Nazareth to the Passover Festival in Jerusalem and it occurred to me to wonder if it's possible to find out anything related to the passageway as far as safety was concerned? For example, was this a particularly dangerous passage that had numerous thieves and slave traders waiting to grab travelers? Does anyone have any thoughts on how to do a search such as this?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Mark Barnes

I tried the following, and got several relevant hits:

(dangerous, thieves, robbers, bandits, highwaymen, kidnap) WITHIN {Milestone <Luke 2:41-51>}

The general consensus seems to be that by travelling in large family group or caravan, then the dangers were minimised.

George Somsel

As Mike has noted, travelling in a group was probably minimized the dangers. Note, however, the illustration Jesus gave regarding the Samaritan as the neighbor. This would seem to indicate that persons travelling by themselves were in danger. I think the story is about a situation that everyone would have been familiar with. It is interesting that the Samaritan himself seems to have been travelling alone but with impunity.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/697719#Comment_697719

Then there are the dangers from the donkeys who can kick and bite. you can fall off them, carts can tip ... but at least parents didn't have to try to control children arguing in the back seat of the donkey. But yes, I think it was dangerous [;)]

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/697941#Comment_697941

Then there are the dangers from the donkeys who can kick and bite. you can fall off them, carts can tip ... but at least parents didn't have to try to control children arguing in the back seat of the donkey. But yes, I think it was dangerous

But if you're on the other side of the Jordan in Midian, your donkey may try to throw you off.

Gary Butner, Th.D.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/697708#Comment_697708

I have been there, and in my opinion travelers almost certainly traveled in groups.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/698043#Comment_698043

I have been there, and in my opinion travelers almost certainly traveled in groups.

So it would appear to be indicated.

41　Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. ⁴²And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. ⁴³When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. ⁴⁴Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. ⁴⁶After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." ⁴⁹He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?" ⁵⁰But they did not understand what he said to them. ⁵¹Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Lk 2.41-51

Jack Hairston

as far as safety was concerned?

Don't overlook the hand of God in this. Exodus 34:24

I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the Lord your God.

If God protected their vacant farms, might the travelers also be protected?

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/698153#Comment_698153

as far as safety was concerned?

Don't overlook the hand of God in this. Exodus 34:24

I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the Lord your God.

If God protected their vacant farms, might the travelers also be protected?

And we don't need doctors because God will take care of us.