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Misquoting Jesus Podcast

Gospel Discrepancies: Why Matthew and Luke Tell Different Christmas Stories

December 3, 2024 · 47 min · Watch on YouTube →

Gospels

Show notes

Episode Outline:
– Introducing the two Christmas stories in Matthew and Luke
– Bart’s early experience with the Christmas story
– Why people often combine the Gospel accounts
– Similarities between Matthew and Luke’s birth narratives
– The star of Bethlehem and the wise men
– Where Matthew and Luke’s stories first differ
– Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Jesus’ hometown
– Wise men, shepherds, and different visitors to Jesus
– John the Baptist and Jesus in Luke’s birth story
– Stable, manger, cave, and later Christmas traditions
– What happens after Jesus’ birth in Matthew
– Can Matthew and Luke be reconciled?
– Why the differences matter for understanding each Gospel

Episode Description

When you picture the story of Jesus’ birth, you might think of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, a stable, shepherds, and wise men. But have you ever wondered which details come from which Gospel—and why the accounts differ? Join Bart Ehrman and Megan Lewis as they explore questions like: Were Mary and Joseph from Nazareth or Bethlehem? Did they flee to Egypt after Jesus’ birth, or go straight home? And can these accounts be reconciled into one story?

Also watch these episodes:
The Real Mary: History vs Christmas Legend
The Real Mary: History vs Christmas Legend

Who Says Mary Was a Virgin?
Who Says Mary Was a Virgin?

Joseph, the "Father" of Jesus
Joseph, the "Father" of Jesus.

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… Bart Ehrman · 4 lessons Free courseFree Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Really Write the Gospels? A free lecture on who actually wrote the Gospels, and how scholars can tell. Bart Ehrman · 1 lesson

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Podcast Was Jesus Really Born in Bethlehem? Podcast How Many Jesuses Are in the New Testament? Podcast Who Says Mary Was a Virgin?

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