Comparisons of the Gospel Birth Stories of Jesus
The birth stories of Jesus of Nazareth occur in only two of the four New
Testament Gospels. Mark, considered the oldest of the Gospels) and John,
considered the most recent of the four, do not mention the nativity of
Jesus. Biblical scholars note that differences exist between Matthew and
Luke in the details they offer regarding the birth of Jesus. Those
differences are noted below.
|
Matthew |
Matthew References |
Luke |
Luke References |
|
Genealogy traced back to Abraham |
1:1-16 IV
1:1-5 |
Genealogy traced back to Adam |
3:23-38 IV 3:30-45 |
|
Traced from David through the kings |
|
Traced from David through the prophets |
|
|
Mary & Joseph live in Bethlehem, Jesus born at
home |
2:1 IV 3:1 |
Mary & Joseph live in Nazareth, Jesus born on the
road in Bethlehem as a result of forced census home |
1: 26-27 IV 1:26-27
2:4-7
IV 2:4-7 |
|
Moves to Nazareth after flight to Egypt |
2:23 IV 3:23 |
Family returns to Nazareth after census and
consecration of child in temple in Jerusalem |
2:21-40 IV 2:21-52 |
|
Flight to Egypt |
2:14 IV 3:14 |
No flight to Egypt |
|
|
Wise men (magi) visit Jesus following a star |
2:1-12 IV 3:1-12 |
No star, no wise men |
|
|
No shepherds |
|
Angels tell shepherds in fields and they visit
Jesus |
2:8-29 IV 2:8-29 |
|
Herod slaughters male infants in Bethlehem |
2:16 IV 3:16 |
No slaughter of infants |
|
|