All episodes → Misquoting Jesus Podcast
Was Jesus Really Born in Bethlehem?
Show notes
Episode Outline:
– Introducing Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Jesus’ birth
– When Bart began questioning the Bethlehem tradition
– How Matthew and Luke get Jesus to Bethlehem differently
– Luke’s census and why scholars find it implausible
– Why Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem
– More historical problems with Luke’s census
– Non-canonical stories about Jesus’ birth
– Matthew’s flight to Egypt and fulfillment of Scripture
Episode Description
Most of us know the story: Jesus was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth. Both Matthew and Luke agree on this, but key details raise questions for scholars. Join Bart Ehrman and Megan Lewis as they dive into why the Gospel writers placed Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Was it historical fact or shaped by theology? Why does Luke have Mary travel 100 miles while pregnant? And why does Matthew’s story send the family fleeing to Egypt?
Also watch these episodes:
The Real Mary: History vs Christmas Legend
The Real Mary: History vs Christmas Legend
Joseph, the "Father" of Jesus
Joseph, the "Father" of Jesus.
Who Says Mary Was a Virgin?
Who Says Mary Was a Virgin?
– Introducing Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Jesus’ birth
– When Bart began questioning the Bethlehem tradition
– How Matthew and Luke get Jesus to Bethlehem differently
– Luke’s census and why scholars find it implausible
– Why Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem
– More historical problems with Luke’s census
– Non-canonical stories about Jesus’ birth
– Matthew’s flight to Egypt and fulfillment of Scripture
Episode Description
Most of us know the story: Jesus was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth. Both Matthew and Luke agree on this, but key details raise questions for scholars. Join Bart Ehrman and Megan Lewis as they dive into why the Gospel writers placed Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Was it historical fact or shaped by theology? Why does Luke have Mary travel 100 miles while pregnant? And why does Matthew’s story send the family fleeing to Egypt?
Also watch these episodes:
The Real Mary: History vs Christmas Legend
The Real Mary: History vs Christmas Legend
Joseph, the "Father" of Jesus
Joseph, the "Father" of Jesus.
Who Says Mary Was a Virgin?
Who Says Mary Was a Virgin?
Go deeper on this topic
Online course
Did the Christmas Story Really Happen? The Birth of Jesus in History and Legend
We all know the stories of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the Virgin birth, and the wise men as portrayed in the gospels of the New Testament. But what do historians…
Free courseFree
Did Jesus Really Exist?
The evidence that Jesus existed, in two free lectures. The perfect first step.
Related episodes
Podcast
Gospel Discrepancies: Why Matthew and Luke Tell Different Christmas Stories
Podcast
Joseph, the "Father" of Jesus.
Podcast
Who Says Mary Was a Virgin?
Read next
Article
Where Was Jesus Born? Unraveling the Birth Narratives of Jesus
Article
When Was Jesus Born? The Month & Year of His Birthdate
Find your path New to the historical jesus? Two quick questions build you a personal route: free lectures, current articles and episodes, and the right course for your level.
Build my path →