Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman
Was Jesus Really Born in Bethlehem?
Dec 10, 2024
Bart Ehrman, a six-time New York Times bestselling author and Bible scholar, joins Megan Lewis to unravel the surprising complexities surrounding Jesus' birth narrative. They discuss the discrepancies between Matthew and Luke's accounts, raising questions about the historical accuracy of Jesus' birthplace in Bethlehem. The duo explores the logistical challenges of Mary’s journey while pregnant, and whether the nativity story serves more as a theological tool rather than an accurate historical account. They invite listeners to rethink traditional nativity tales.
45:06
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Quick takeaways
- Matthew and Luke's differing accounts of Jesus' birth reveal theological motivations rather than strict historical accuracy, highlighting scriptural fulfillment.
- The logistical challenges of Mary's travel during pregnancy cast doubt on Luke's narrative, suggesting potential embellishment to align with prophecy.
Deep dives
Contradictory Birth Narratives
Matthew and Luke provide differing accounts of Jesus' birth, raising questions about historical accuracy. Matthew presents the story of Joseph and Mary living in Bethlehem, but later relocating to Nazareth after fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod's wrath. In contrast, Luke depicts them as residents of Nazareth who travel to Bethlehem due to a census decreed by Caesar Augustus. These contradictions suggest that the Gospel writers had theological motivations for placing Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, as it aligns with prophecies, even though both accounts contradict each other on key details.
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