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The three wise men did not find Jesus in Bethlehem

By Franklyn Gallup of BibleFreeorg

In spite of all the Nativity scenes you have ever seen with the shepherds and the three wise men, the three wise men did not find Jesus at Bethlehem. The wise men should not be included in the Nativity scene according to the Bible.

Let me explain why I say that. I will be quoting from the King James Bible but I think you will find the same information regardless of what Bible you use.

According to Luke 1:1-4 Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth and had to travel to the city of David which is Bethlehem to register for the census to be taxed. This was a difficult trip of about 65 miles to the south.

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luke 2:2 ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luke 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David.
Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

That explains why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The shepherds were told of the birth in Luke 2:11,12 and found Jesus in Luke 2:16. So they were there but what about the 3 wise men from the east? We need to go look in Matthew to find that account. Notice that they saw this star from a distance and had traveled to get to Jerusalem. Matthew 2:13 tells us they were from another country. They we inquiring as to where he was some time after the birth.

Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

OK so they got directions from the chief priests that Micah 5:2 prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. They were in Jerusalem about 6 miles to the north of Bethlehem.

When they started out they noticed the star was moving. It went ahead of them and they followed it. Why would the star move? Think about it. Joseph, Mary and Jesus went back home to Nazareth after they had registered for the tax and the star followed them. Ironically, they probably went through Jerusalem on the way home.

They found the child where the star stopped. The word "house" and not "stable" indicates that they found Jesus and his parents at his home in Nazareth. Also notice the phrase "young child" in verse 11.

Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house , they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Let me know your thoughts on this. I just noticed this while I was reading the Bible this morning and thought I would share it.

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This is a very logical way of looking at the situation and it does seem to be supported by the quotations.

There is an aspect that is not examined in any of the ancient texts and which will open an even wider area for examination.

Think about what happens today when a scattered family gets together for a wedding, birthday or funeral. If any distance has been travelled by relatives, they will 'catch up' with family matters and probably be accommodated over-night.

The grand gathering of the House of David gave a great excuse for meeting and greeting relatives long unseen. The fact that Joseph was the new father of a male child will have made him a very popular man and the various members of the family would have insisted upon the traditionaal greeting of a male child.

Nowhere does the Bible say that the kings visited Jesus in the stable - only that they found him 'in the place where he lay'. With a large family to visit, Joseph and Mary were probably being accommodated by many different relatives over a period of, maybe, 4 to 6 weeks at the least before they had to start their long trek back. Don't forget that, as a new mother, Mary would have needed a reasonable amount of time for her body to recover from the ordeal of supporting a growing child for nine months. As a new mother, Mary would have wanted to spend time with the matriarchs in order to learn how to care for her son and how to ensure she was able to carry out her responsibilities as a wife to Joseph at the same time.

I think it is probable that the family would still have been in Bethlehem for the visitation.

That is an interesting perspective as you always have.

I think what started this tradition is the fact that three different types of gifts are mentioned; gold, frankincense and myrrh, so it is assumed that there were only three different Wise Men but that does not necessarily follow.

Or perhaps they assumed three wise men because that is all they could find back in those days. Just kidding.

I feel honored to hear you say it is scripturally sound as I realize you are very knowledgeable about Biblical matters.

Every once in a while when reading the Bible I notice something I had never seen before and I thought this was worth sharing.

Well...... They did come from a foreign country of some distance away. It must have took them quite some time to get there. It's possible that Jesus was no longer an infant but a toddler by the time they got there. And if he was a toddler, he must have been back home in Nazareth. It's even possible, if not probable that they bought with them news of Herod's "interest" in the Child, which may then have provided the motivation for them to begin moving on their escape to Egypt. Speculation -- but it seems to make sense. The Magi could not possibly have arrived in time to be at Bethlehem in time for the birth or shortly after...

Thank you professor for the very "noteworthy" comment.

The Bible does say an angel told Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt.

Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed ,behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

The wise men told Herod when they first saw the star so he knew about when Jesus was born. Matthew 2:16 indicates that Herod probably did this horrible thing two years after that date.

Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

There is very much in the Bible which is often interpreted somehow differently. The most fascinating would be to see texts in Latin or Hebrew and compare their translations.
However, three wise men in luxury gear loaded with presents for baby Jesus in a Bethlehem manger give such a lovely picture to our kids. In fact, the wise mens' worshipping would not have depended on location. This intel proves it. The men from the east did go out of their way, indeed.

I think we can thank zealous religious clergy for painting the lovely picture of the wise men at the manger to appeal to children and adults. The problem is it simply isn't what the scripture says.

Much of the new Testament was written originally in Greek.

The wise men also played a part in fulfilling prophesy as well.

Hosea 11:1 When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
and
Jeremiah 31:15 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, [and] bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they [were] not.

well I HAVE ALSO READ , AND HEARD ABOUT THE WISE MEN DOING THE TIME OF JESUS BIRTH. I JUST RE LOOK AT THE STORY AN DO AGREE THAT WE AS PEOPLE FILL IN THE MISSING PARTS THAT OUR MIND SEEMS TO NOT BEABLE TO UNDERSTAND. HOW ABOUT THE SUJECT THAT SAYS ACCEPT A SEED DIE ,IT ABIDE ALONE. ( SORRY BACK TO THE STORY IT DID NOT SAY THREE MAYBE THE STORY CAME TO PLAY BECAUSE OF CHRISTMAS, WE DO KNOW THAT IT WAS MORE THAN ONE BECAUSE IT READ MEN.

Yes, "men" would mean more than one. As far as "Christmas" goes would need to look at the Catholic Church and the Winter Solstice and not Scripture. That's another story altogether.

LadyD Jul 17, 2010 19:34

Excellent intel and feedback. It makes common sense for Our Father to protect Our Brother ~ Jeshua.

JazLive Aug 10, 2010 09:40

Excellent intel. The Bible has been interpreted many times from and to a number of languages. Words can be added, left out, or interpreted differently, depending on the scholar.

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