THE BIRTH OF JESUS!
(As I understand the King James Version)
Luke 1:26-33 - And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused (engaged) to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, you who are highly favored,* the Lord is with you, and you are blessed among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind** what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor*** with God. And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call His name JESUS. 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: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.
Notes:
* v. 28 - Gk. charitoō - "you that are highly favored" - the only other time this Greek word is used is in Eph. 1:6 which renders it "you that have been made accepted.
** v. 29 - Gk. dialogizomai - "cast in her mind" - almost always translated "reasoned" (see Lk. 5:21-22 and 20:4).
*** v. 30 - Gk. charis - "favor" - translated "grace" (unmerited favor) 130 times (see Acts 4:33; 11:23; 13:43; 14:3; etc.).
Luke 2:1-19 - And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 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); to be taxed with Mary his espoused (engaged) wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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.** And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 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 to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen Him, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered*** them in her heart.
Notes:
* v. 7 - "Firstborn" - Jesus was born of Mary while she was still a virgin (see Mt. 1:23-25 - Joseph "knew her not until" - indicates they consummated their marriage sometime after the birth of Jesus; Mary later had sons and daughters (see Mt. 13:55-56).
** v. 9 - Gk. megas - "their fear was great" - megas is translated "great" 150 times.
*** v. 19 - Gk. symballō "pondered" - "reasoned; considered their meaning."
THE "THREE" WISE MEN!
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, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,*** And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a Governor, that shall rule My people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently at what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child;**** and when you have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also. 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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.
Notes:
* King Herod the Great - He reigned from 37-4 B.C. - Obviously Jesus' birth was earlier than at the point where B.C. becomes A.D. on our calendars.
** "Wise men" - Gk. magos - Middle Eastern astrologers - Their number is not given in the Bible, just as the number of nails used to Crucify our Lord; here the number is based upon the number of gifts.
*** "The prophet" refers to Micah 5:2.
**** "Young child" indicates Jesus was no longer considered a babe.
***** "The house" - Jesus and Joseph and Mary were now living in a house; the "wise men" arrived nearly a year after Jesus was born. Note that Herod, wanting to make certain that his murderous soldiers didn't miss the Christ child, had all male children in Bethlehem, from birth to two years of age, put to death.
CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT TO BE TRUSTED!
THE BIBLE, THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD, IS MAN'S ONLY SOURCE OF TRUTH!
WARNING:
DON'T TAKE MAN'S WORD ON
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES;
READ IT FOR YOURSELF!
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