Where Was Jesus Born?

Candice Lucey

Where was Jesus born? Tradition places Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, a small town a few miles south of Jerusalem. More specifically, Christ was born in a stable, possibly a stable inside a cave. There is no conclusive evidence as to the structure of the stable, but most people who even think about the Nativity believe He was born amid animals, not in a comfortable room with a proper bed, and that the stable was located in Bethlehem.

Where Was Jesus Born?

This town still exists in the West Bank (part of Palestine), a site of tremendous significance to Christians and home to the world’s “oldest Christian church in daily use,” according to BibleInfo.com. The name “Bethlehem” means “House of Bread” but is also referred to in the Bible as the Town of David (Luke 2:4).

Bethlehem had been an “important staging and rest stop for travelers from Syria and Palestine going to Egypt” and later “a strong strategic point” for the Philistines, according to the Bethlehem Municipality website. While small, its location has been significant to faithful Christians, Jews, and Muslims for many generations, according to Bible Odyssey. Venerated by Christians as the birthplace of their Savior and by Muslims as the birthplace of a great prophet. Jews also honor this city because King David was born here.

Reasons to Believe Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem

Christians associate Bethlehem with the Nativity because:

1. Old Testament Prophecy

Micah 5:2 reads, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, […] out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” Micah 5:4 says, “He shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.”

This shepherd would be the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Ephrathah was “the name either of Bethlehem itself or of a district in which Bethlehem was situated.”

Jesus Christ fulfilled more than 300 prophecies when he came to earth.

2. New Testament Account

A verse in Luke 2 tells us that Joseph went “from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem […] to be registered with Mary.” Soon after arriving in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth. (Luke 2:6-7)

3. Historical Experts’ Interpretation of Old Testament Prophecy

The Magi, looking for the “king of the Jews,” told Herod they “saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2). Herod was alarmed by this and “called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law” to tell him where the baby could be found (Matthew 2:4). These experts cited the prophecy in Micah, so Herod directed the Magi to Bethlehem. There is nothing in the verses which recount their meeting with Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus to suggest that the Magi found the baby somewhere else.

4. United Nations’ Recognition of Bethlehem’s Authentic Historicity

The original Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was built in 339 A.D. Certain parts still survive below ground. According to UNESCO, “the sanctity of the site is maintained by the three churches occupying it. The construction of the church” above the cave “and its reconstruction in 533 A.D. commemorates the birth of Jesus and attests to seventeen hundred years-long tradition of belief that this grotto was indeed the birthplace of Jesus Christ.”

“The association of the place that was believed to be the birthplace of Jesus is documented from the 4th century AD and from then on the buildings added to it have been constructed to enhance this religious significance,” UNESCO stated.

This is enough reason for UNESCO to officially protect the church. Their protection validates the notion that Bethlehem is where Jesus Christ was born.

Where Was Jesus Born: Church of the Nativity

Christian history has associated this church, in this town, with the birth of Christ with such confidence for so long that one has to wonder why here if there was a stronger contender? Something about Bethlehem gave it special meaning in the eyes of religious leaders at the time. Certain clues led them to a precise spot which might or might not have been the exact location of his birth.

No one living at the time of the church’s 4^th century construction could claim to have been alive even during the Apostles’ time, but stories must have been passed down through the intervening generations. At the very least, church officials felt certain they had the right town. Records of Bethlehem as a rest stop for travelers throughout this area of the Middle East only strengthen the case for locating Christ’s birth here. Certainly, UNESCO and millions of pilgrims are compelled by surviving archaeological evidence while archaeologists are excited by artefacts as yet unearthed.

Where Was Jesus Born? Was Jesus Born in Nazareth?

Christians and historians sometimes wonder if the Nativity took place in Nazareth. After all, we refer to Jesus as “the Nazarene” in Scripture (John 18:5-8) and in the songs such as “I Stand Amazed in the Presence.” Matthew also refers to prophecy regarding Nazareth as the town from which the Messiah would emerge. Yet, “there is no direct Old Testament citation that prophesies the Messiah would be called a Nazarene,” according to CARM.org. Jesus was raised in Nazareth which is where Joseph and Mary lived before the census and where they returned after a time as refugees in Egypt according to Matthew 2:19-23. Jesus was known in the synagogue in Nazareth and was rejected there at the start of his ministry. They even “took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff” (Luke 4:29). Jesus’ association with Nazareth begins in early childhood and ends with his escape from the angry mob.

Jesus Christ Is Eternal

Ultimately, Jesus existed with God before the world was created (John 1). He was born as the Son of man in order to die for the sins of the world (John 3:16-18), but Jesus was never truly “born.” He always was, as part of the Trinity; the Great I AM.

Christians rely on this power, even if we relate more easily to the story of a real man born as a real baby. We can relate to His human development from infant to adult, although not to His sinless existence.

Bethlehem is the most logical site for the birth of our Savior, but it’s only a starting point for the most influential, inspirational life ever lived. The Christian focus is Christ’s death and resurrection, and our eyes are fixed on Calvary and another birth: the birth of our faith in the resurrected King.

Candice Lucey lives with her husband and daughters in (mostly) tranquil Salmon Arm, BC, Canada. Here, she enjoys digging into God’s word when not working or taking part in ministry activities. Her prose and poetry has previously appeared in such publications as Purpose and Creation Illustrated, and her short plays were performed at Christmas by Sunday School students for several years. Catch up with Candice’s scriptural studies at her blog Wordwell.ca.