Chronology Of The Birth Of Christ

Chronology of the birth of Christ Jesus

A. Announcement of the Conception of John the Baptist, Forerunner of the Messiah, to his father Zacharias.

1. Luke 1:1-25 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

1:2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

1:4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

1:9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

1:11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

1:12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

1:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

1:21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

1:22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

1:23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

1:25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days herein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

B. Announcement of the Conception of Christ Jesus to Mary his mother.

1. Luke 1:26-38 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

2. Mary given confirmation by Gabriel of Elisabeth’s pregnancy.

a. Luke 1:36, 37 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

C. Mary goes to visit Elisabeth.

1. Luke 1:39-45 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

2. Mary’s response to Elisabeth’s prophetic message.

a. Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

1:51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

1:54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

1:55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

1). Gordon Lindsay: We don’t have a record of what kind of education Mary received…Nevertheless, her song in Luke 1:46-55 indicates that she was by no means unlearned.

2. Mary stays with Elisabeth for three months and leaves right before the birth of John the Baptist.

a. Luke 1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

1). We can only imagine the conversations that went on in that household for those three months, limited of course by the fact that Zacharias could not talk and as Luke 1:62 implies, he could not hear either.

(a). Luke 1:62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

2). Think for a moment the facts surrounding these events. An angel announces the conception and birth of Zacharias’s and Elisabeth’s child. During her pregnancy Mary, her cousin comes to visit her. As she hears Mary’s voice without seeing her face, the baby in her womb leaps for joy. The Holy Ghost then comes upon Elisabeth and she prophesies, confirming Mary’s divine pregnancy. Probably most of the conversations in that household for the next three months were about what the Scriptures said about the Messiah. Wow, to be able to hear those conversations.

D. Joseph learns of Mary’s pregnancy

1. At first Joseph was thinking of divorcing her privately.

a. Matthew 1:18, 19 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

2. The angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him the conception and birth of this child is a fulfillment of Scripture and he will safe his people from their sins. Joseph obeys and takes Mary as his wife.

a. Matthew 1:20-25 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

E. The birth of John the Baptist

1. Luke 1:57, 58 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

 1:58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

2. Circumcision and naming of John

a. Luke 1:59-66 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

1:60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

1:61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

1:62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

1:64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

1:65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

1:66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

3. The Holy Ghost inspired song of Zacharias

a. Luke 1:67-79 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

4. John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins and John was 6 months older than Jesus. Though their births were divinely entwined with supernatural events, there is no Biblical record of the family of Zacharias, Elisabeth and John ever visiting with the family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Though I think it is probable that they did, there is no record of it.

F. The birth of Christ in Bethlehem

1. Luke 2:1-20 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

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:)

2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

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.

2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

G. Circumcision of Christ Jesus.

1. While they were still in Bethlehem, eight days after his birth Jesus was circumcised. This was in obedience to the Law of Moses.

a. Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

b. Leviticus 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

H. Presentation in the Temple

1. Jewish Law required period of purification for a woman after her delivery of 37 days for a male child and 80 for a female. Because they lived so far away this required Joseph and Mary to stay in Bethlehem at least until Mary could perform the Mosaic requirements. The evidence shows that Joseph and Mary were not spiritually slothful believers, it is unacceptable that God would choose spiritually lazy believers to raise the Messiah.

a. Luke 2:22-24 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

b. Leviticus 12:1-8 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 12:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.

Leviticus 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

Leviticus 12:4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.

Leviticus 12:5 But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.

Leviticus 12:6 And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:

Leviticus 12:7 Who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.

Leviticus 12:8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

I. Simeon and Anna

1. These two individuals were in tune to the Lord and led by the Spirit and knew through the Spirit Jesus was the Messiah.

a. Luke 2:25-38 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Luke 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Luke 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Luke 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

Luke 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Luke 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Luke 2:33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

Luke 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

J. After they had fulfilled everything in the Law they returned to Nazareth, but at some point soon after, though it does not say in Scripture, they moved to Bethlehem. For when the Magi came to present their gifts to Jesus in Bethlehem, Jesus was a young child of about two years old. Given the information that Joseph and Mary had already received through angelic communication surrounding this miraculous birth preceded by the miraculous events of John’s conception, it is probable they knew from Micah 5:2 the Messiah would be from Bethlehem. In order to be obedient to God they moved to Bethlehem.

1. Luke 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

K. The visit of the magi to Jesus in Bethlehem occurs approximately 2 years after the birth of Christ, we know this for a couple of Scriptural reasons. One, when the magi come, Joseph and Mary and Jesus are in a “house” (Matthew 2:11), and when Herod has the children of Bethlehem slain it was those who were “two years old and under” (Matthew 2:16).   

1. Matthew 2:1-11 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,

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.

2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

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.

2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

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.

a. The magi have centuries of history before they come on the scene at the time of the birth of Christ. During Jeremiah’s time they were the official advisors to the king. They used astrology and dreams to give forecasts. They were the most powerful group of people under the king in the Babylonian empire and in the Medes-Persian empire. More than a few writers have called them king-makers, that none could become king of Babylon or Mede-Persia without them. Why would the magi have anything to do with the birth of the Jewish Messiah? The short answer is after Babylon conquered Israel , the Babylonian army took a bunch of the best of the Jewish people back to Babylon with them, Daniel was one of those taken. Because God gave Daniel the interpretations of dreams of   Nebuchadrezzar, Daniel was elevated to the position of chief magi. Daniel, because he was the chief of this group, heavily influenced them with not only the knowledge of the one true God but also knowledge of the time of the coming Messiah, and because of that godly influence, that by the way, lasted 500 years, the Magi appear in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

2. After the presentations of their gifts to Christ Jesus they were warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod so they went home another route.

a. Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

L. After the wise men left and the family retired for the night, Joseph was warned in a dream by the angel of the Lord to leave Bethlehem and flee to Egypt.

1. Matthew 2:13-15 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.

Matthew 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

Matthew 2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

M. Herod kills all the babies of Bethlehem two years old and younger.

1. Matthew 2:16-18 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.

Matthew 2:17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

a. Alfred Edersheim, in his, The Life And Times Of Jesus The Messiah, wrote  that considering the population of Bethlehem, the number of the infants murdered would have been about 20.

N. Joseph, Mary and Jesus return to Israel from Egypt.

1. Matthew 2:19-21 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

2:20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

2:21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

a. They did not return to Bethlehem because Herod’s son Archelaus reigned there, so they went back to Nazareth.