Biblical World Stephen Carlson - Mary, Joseph, and the so-called "Inn"
Dec 23, 2025
Dr. Stephen Carlson, an Associate Professor in Biblical and Early Christian Studies, shares fascinating insights about the Nativity story. He challenges the traditional idea of the 'inn,' revealing that the Greek term 'kataluma' actually means 'place to stay.' Carlson discusses the marriage dynamics of Mary and Joseph, the role of the census in Luke's narrative, and how typical Judean household layouts reflect the story's themes of humility and poverty. His analysis redefines common assumptions, blending textual criticism with rich historical context.
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Birth Trip As Marriage Home‑Taking
- Luke's travel detail (kataluma) fits ancient marriage 'home-taking', not an inn story.
- Joseph likely brought Mary to his Bethlehem household to complete the marriage ritual.
Kataluma Isn't 'Inn' In Luke 2:7
- The Greek kataluma in Luke 2:7 means 'place to stay' or 'guest room', not a commercial inn.
- Medieval translations narrowed the meaning to 'inn', creating the later 'no room in the inn' legend.
Spanish Inquisition Story On The 'Inn' Error
- Stephen recounts a 16th-century Salamanca scholar, El Brocense, who argued Luke was misread and was tried by the Spanish Inquisition.
- Language-change in Latin led medieval listeners to imagine an 'inn' and stable where Luke had not intended one.
