Event New Testament
The birth of Jesus
Also known as Nativity, Incarnation
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea to Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, during the reign of Herod the Great. Luke records the manger and the angels' announcement to shepherds; Matthew records Joseph's obedience and the visit of the magi.
Why it matters. The eternal Word became flesh. The birth fulfills Micah's word about Bethlehem and begins the life that the rest of the Journey follows.
- Primary passages
- Dates
- 7 to 4 BC (approximate) (medium confidence, Anchored to the death of Herod the Great in 4 BC (Matt 2))
Matthew places the birth during the reign of Herod the Great, who died in 4 BC, so most historians date it a few years before that. Luke's census reference is debated. A range is given rather than a year.
- Witnesses
Chronology confidence: medium
Matthew and Luke give different, complementary details: Luke narrates the journey to Bethlehem, the manger, and the shepherds; Matthew narrates Joseph's dream, the magi, and the flight to Egypt. FaithGraph presents both accounts without forcing a single sequence for the magi's visit.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
Connections
The birth of John the Baptist precedes The birth of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceElizabeth was six months pregnant at the annunciation, so John is born about six months before Jesus.
Evidence:The birth of Jesus precedes The presentation in the temple
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe presentation follows the birth by the days of purification required in the law, about forty days.
Evidence:Jesus participates in The birth of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceBoth birth narratives name the child Jesus as the one born in Bethlehem.
Evidence:Joseph of Nazareth participates in The birth of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJoseph travels to Bethlehem with Mary and names the child.
Evidence:Mary, mother of Jesus participates in The birth of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceLuke and Matthew both identify Mary as the mother who gave birth to Jesus.
Evidence:The birth of Jesus occurs at Bethlehem
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceMatthew and Luke both state that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.
Evidence:The birth of Jesus develops the theme Promise and fulfillment
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceMatthew's birth narrative repeatedly frames events with "this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet".
The birth of Jesus explicitly fulfills Micah 5:2
Explicit fulfillmentHigh confidenceMatthew frames the Bethlehem birth as the answer to the question "where is the Christ to be born?" using Micah.
Evidence: