How Well Do You Know the Birth of Messiah? - Questions Only

How Well do you know the Birth of the Messiah?
There is so much in the birth narratives found in Matthew 1-2 & Luke 2 that we miss or read over because we think we know the story already or because our mind has been so cluttered by the popular depictions that we don’t study carefully what the text actually says.

1. How would you describe the traditional biblical story of the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem?

2. Were Joseph & Mary traveling alone? What biblical evidence suggests they were not alone?

3. When was the baby born on their journey?
a. Mary barely made it into town
b. The first night
c. Several days to weeks later
d. See Luke 2:6

4. Does that change the nature of the location of Jesus’ birth if it happened some time later—in other words, couldn’t Joseph had found some other place after a while?

5. Were Mary & Joseph alone while in Bethlehem? What is the likelihood that they knew anyone in town? Bethlehem means “House of ________________”

6. In Luke 2, what is meant by the word “Inn”?
  • Like a Motel 6
  • Family Home
  • Bed & Breakfast

7. Luke 22:10-12—What was this room like?

8. Luke 2 & 22 use the same word with different translations. If Luke 22 is the better translation, how does that change the setting of Jesus’ birth?

9. Typically we see Mary & Joseph as being banished to the stable. How could it have been a good thing for her?

10. Was Jesus really born on December 25th? If not December 25th, is there a better alternative?

11. What holy days on the biblical calendar require people to be in Jerusalem? See Leviticus 23. Could these help explain when Mary & Joseph may have traveled or whether they were alone on the journey?

12. How did the Shepherds find Mary, Joseph & Jesus? Are you sure? See Luke 2:11-16 13. How many Magi were there? What set them off? How long of a journey was it? See Matthew 2:1+

13. When did the Magi arrive? Thus how old was Jesus? See Matthew 2:16
a. They arrived the night he was born
b. Within a few days
c. Up to a year or more

14. Does the text say how many Magi were there? Why would they care what was going on in Jerusalem?

15. Why did they go to Herod first? Why was Herod threatened?

16. What holiday is mentioned in John 10:22 during the winter? Where was Jesus?

17. What is it called in the Jewish world today? What does this holiday commemorate?

18. What are the 4 Spring holidays or Feasts on the biblical calendar? What are the 3 Fall holidays? What message or story do they tell? See Leviticus 23
1.____________________ 1. _____________________
2.____________________ 2. _____________________
3.____________________ 3. _____________________
4.____________________

Answers to all Questions in the next post

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