Write a short essay that compares the stories of the birth of Jesus by Matthew and Luke. What
parts of the Gospels point to the divinity of Jesus? How do the stories differ? Read any
footnotes.Be prepared to discuss the differences in how the Gospels begin and the meaning of the
texts.
Solution
Jesus’ birth takes place near the end of the reign of Herod the Great (Matt 2:1; Luke 1:5).
2. The names of the principal characters: Mary, Jesus’ future mother, and Joseph his adopted
father.
3. Mary is a virgin engaged to Joseph but they have not begun to live together nor have they
consummated their marriage (Matt 1:18; Luke 1:27, 34; 2:5).
4. Joseph is of Davidic descent (Matt 1:16-20; Luke 1:27; 2:4).
5. An angel from heaven announces the birth of Jesus (Matt 1:20-21; Luke 1:28-30).
6. Jesus is recognized as a son of David (Matt 1:1; Luke 1:32).
7. Jesus’ conception will take place miraculously i.e. through the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:18, 20;
Luke 1:35).
8. Joseph is not involved in the conception—unlike similar stories in the OT in which it is a
barren woman who conceives though through normal means (Matt 1:18-25; Luke 1:34).
9. The name Jesus is given by the angel prior to his birth (Matt 1:21; Luke 1:31). The Greek for
this in fact is strikingly similar which greatly increases the likelihood to hold on purely historical
critical grounds that this tradition predates both gospels:
10. Jesus is identified as “savior” by the angel (Matt 1:21; Luke 1:31).
11. Jesus is born after Mary and Joseph begin to live together (Matt 1:24-25; Luke 2:4-7).
12. Jesus is born in Bethlehem (Matt 2:1; Luke 2:4-7).
13. The family has a house in Bethlehem (Matt 2:10; Luke 2:7—which I believe refers to
Joseph’s ancestral home in Bethlehem rather than an “inn” or a stable).
14. The family settles in Nazareth sometime after the birth of Jesus (Matt 2:22-23; Luke 2:39,
51).(Matt 1:21): .And she will give birth to a son and you will call his name Jesus.(Luke
1:31): , .And you will give birth to a son and you will call his name Jesus..
Write a short essay that compares the stories of the birth of Jesus .pdf
1. Write a short essay that compares the stories of the birth of Jesus by Matthew and Luke. What
parts of the Gospels point to the divinity of Jesus? How do the stories differ? Read any
footnotes.Be prepared to discuss the differences in how the Gospels begin and the meaning of the
texts.
Solution
Jesus’ birth takes place near the end of the reign of Herod the Great (Matt 2:1; Luke 1:5).
2. The names of the principal characters: Mary, Jesus’ future mother, and Joseph his adopted
father.
3. Mary is a virgin engaged to Joseph but they have not begun to live together nor have they
consummated their marriage (Matt 1:18; Luke 1:27, 34; 2:5).
4. Joseph is of Davidic descent (Matt 1:16-20; Luke 1:27; 2:4).
5. An angel from heaven announces the birth of Jesus (Matt 1:20-21; Luke 1:28-30).
6. Jesus is recognized as a son of David (Matt 1:1; Luke 1:32).
7. Jesus’ conception will take place miraculously i.e. through the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:18, 20;
Luke 1:35).
8. Joseph is not involved in the conception—unlike similar stories in the OT in which it is a
barren woman who conceives though through normal means (Matt 1:18-25; Luke 1:34).
9. The name Jesus is given by the angel prior to his birth (Matt 1:21; Luke 1:31). The Greek for
this in fact is strikingly similar which greatly increases the likelihood to hold on purely historical
critical grounds that this tradition predates both gospels:
2. 10. Jesus is identified as “savior” by the angel (Matt 1:21; Luke 1:31).
11. Jesus is born after Mary and Joseph begin to live together (Matt 1:24-25; Luke 2:4-7).
12. Jesus is born in Bethlehem (Matt 2:1; Luke 2:4-7).
13. The family has a house in Bethlehem (Matt 2:10; Luke 2:7—which I believe refers to
Joseph’s ancestral home in Bethlehem rather than an “inn” or a stable).
14. The family settles in Nazareth sometime after the birth of Jesus (Matt 2:22-23; Luke 2:39,
51).(Matt 1:21): .And she will give birth to a son and you will call his name Jesus.(Luke
1:31): , .And you will give birth to a son and you will call his name Jesus.
