Is it an Inconsistency that the Shepherds Saw Jesus in a Manger and the Wise Men Saw Him in a House?
You may have heard people trying to confuse Christians by telling them that the Bible is full of inconsistencies, which they call lies and they claim this disproves that Jesus Is the Son of God, but is this really true?
I will do very thorough research on this topic using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible and internet resources, as needed. Often, the Bible has both the words “he” and “him” in the same Bible verse. I will put who is talking and who is spoken to within brackets for clarity, if it isn’t apparent by the text. Additionally, I will put my analysis, evaluations, comments, opinions, and conclusions within brackets, as well, and will try to let you know when I am sharing this information with you.
Since this research project covers a wide range of information and analysis, some may want to read the research analysis or share it with others who might benefit. You can find this research project posted at either of these two blog sites I felt led to create: Biblical Proof! at https://BiblicalProof.blogspot.com/ and Do Biblical Inconsistencies Really Matter? at https://Biblicalinconsistencies.blogspot.com/
In researching this topic, I have found that it could be easy to assume there is an inconsistency. Matthew, the first Gospel of the New Testament says in Chapter 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him [Jesus]. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold frankincense, and myrrh. On the other hand, Luke 2:15- 17 says: So, it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they [the shepherds] came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe [Jesus] lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, [Jesus] they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
[In looking at all these passages, and being prayerful about them, I realized that I have a whole different type of research project this time. In the past, the vast majority of my Biblical research projects have been based around the Gospel writers and whether they were or weren’t there to give eyewitness testimony or had testimony from witnesses. Also, writing style came into play in those research projects, because some Gospel writers write with more detail and some with less detail. Some will only add additional information to add clarity to what has already been adequately recorded.]
[Sometimes, not all of the Gospel writers would be there at a particular event/situation, because Luke 9:1-2 says: Then He [Jesus] called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. So, it would be unreasonable to expect all of the disciples to always be with Jesus at any given time, since they may be in different communities sharing the Word of God and healing people.]
[None of these will be helpful in analyzing the related Bible passages about Mary’s Conception and the Birth of Jesus, because the Gospel writers wouldn’t have been there to be eyewitnesses or wouldn’t have talked to witnesses. In fact, they may not have even been born yet.]
[What really is really significant in analyzing these passages comes
from
2 Timothy 3:16-17 which says: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. That, really, is the way that the Gospel writers would know about the Holy Spirit coming to speak to Mary, or an angel of the Lord speaking to Joseph, and so on.]
[With that said, not everyone of the Gospel writers share the same information about Mary’s conception and the birth of Jesus. In fact, the Gospels of Mark and John share very little. After being prayerful about this and reading these passages several times, what came to mind is that God is all knowing. He knew what information needed to be shared by the Gospel writers and whether it needed to be repeated by all of them, which it wasn’t. It appears to me that God has it like a puzzle, of sorts, with some Gospel writers writing about some aspects of this topic and some another. It’s like each of the Gospel writers had a different piece of the puzzle to share. I am going to try to relay my research results in as close to chronological order as I can, so it all falls into place.]
[It appears, in analyzing this, that possibly God wanted the Apostle John to share the connection of Jesus [John calls the Word] with God from the beginning, prior to His birth to Mary.]
John 1:1-5 says: In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
[In my opinion, God wanted the Apostle Mark to reinforce that Jesus is truly the Son of God, in that he shared: Mark 1:1 which says; The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.]
[These two Bible passages are significant, although brief, because they reinforce that Jesus Is the Son of God and didn’t just appear on the scene when He was born to the Virgin Mary. Jesus existed with God from the beginning. He was there at the creation and was a part of all creation. Pretty significant if you ask me! So, although neither of these two Gospels mention Jesus’ conception and birth, it is amazingly significant that they let us know who Jesus is: the Son of God, with God, and in God from the very beginning!]
[The Gospel of Luke 1:26-56 falls into place as a piece of the puzzle, because it explains how the angel approached Mary, how she conceived Jesus, and went to see her cousin, who was pregnant with John the Baptist.]
Luke 1:26-56 says: Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she [Mary] saw him [the angel], she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her [Elizabeth’s] womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! “But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? “For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for you. “Blessed is she who believed for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
[This important piece of the puzzle, is that God had it recorded in Matthew to show that He kept His promise that Jesus was born of the lineage of David.]
Matthew 1:1-17 says: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse , and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshapat begot Joran, and Joran begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Mannasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Joshiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and His brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. So all the generations, from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.
[The next piece of the puzzle is found in the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-25, except for the last sentence of verse 25, which hasn’t happened yet.]
Matthew 1:18-25 says: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “And she will bring forth a Son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” [from Isaiah 7:14] Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded Him and took him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. [This hasn’t happened yet.]
[The next puzzle piece is: Luke 2:1-7 which explains why Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, even though she was so close to delivery and why Jesus was born in an inn.]
Luke 2:1-7 says: And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he [Joseph] was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
[This is when the last part of Matthew 1:25 comes into play when Joseph names the baby: Jesus.]
Matthew 1:last of verse 25 says: And he called His name Jesus.
[The next puzzle piece is in Luke 2:8-20 which tells about an angel of the Lord coming to the shepherds and telling them of the birth of Jesus. Not only do the shepherds go to Bethlehem and see the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger, as the angel said, but they are eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who had been born in such humble surroundings.]
Luke 2:8-20 says: Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
[Actually, this is a two-pronged puzzle piece, because two things were going on at once. When the star appeared when Jesus was born and the angel spoke to the shepherds about Jesus’ birth, the star was also there to guide the Wise Men to Jesus. So they were following the star, but had stopped in to inquire of Herod, first.]
Matthew 2:1-10 says: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah: For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.”’ [fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy in Micah 5:2] then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen 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 exceedingly great joy.
[The next part of the puzzle is when Simeon and Anna are also witnesses of the Lord’s Christ, when Mary and Joseph take Him to be circumcised eight days after His birth.]
Luke 2:21-39 says: And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Mosus were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he [Simeon] took Him [Jesus] up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against “(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eight-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
[I checked on the internet to get an idea of how old Jesus was when the
wisemen came to see Him. I found this information on neverthirsty.org: The Magi of Christmas found at: https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-studies/christmas-accounts/the-magi-of-christmas/ [This is an excerpt from this comprehensive post on
the magi.]
These magi had to be very serious to make this trip from the East. You may ask, “Why do they have to be very serious?” Stop to think for a second: there had been a regional conflict between the Roman Empire and the Parthian Empire. There had been border skirmishes. Therefore, these men were traveling though dangerous territory in order to arrive in Jerusalem. That must have been a serious decision. Also, they would have traveled about 1,100 miles. The trip would have taken about two months. They did not have modern day transportation. The trip would have cost money and time. Their trip was not a simple little journey—get in your car and arrive in one or two days.
Matthew 2:11-12 says: And when they [Wise Men] had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
[This leads to the next piece of the puzzle where an angel of the Lord
appears to Joseph after the Wise Men see Jesus and is warned to take Jesus and
Mary to Egypt until the angel brings Joseph word that it was safe to return.]
Matthew 2:13-23 says: Now when they [the Wise Men] had
departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying,
“Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there
until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
When he [Joseph] arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and
departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of
Egypt I called My Son.” [fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy in Hosea
11:1] Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was
exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who
were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under,
according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was
fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “A voice was
heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for
her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.” [fulfilling
the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:15] Now when Herod was dead, behold, an
angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take
the young Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel. But when he
[Joseph] heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father
Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he
[Joseph] turned aside into the region of Galilee. 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.” [fulfilling the prophecy in
Isaiah 40:3]
[Although the Gospels of Mark and John had very little
to say about the conception and birth of Jesus, what they did say in the first
chapters of each is still very significant, in my opinion.]
[The Gospel of Mark starts out talking about how it was prophesied in the Old Testament that God would send His messenger [John the Baptist] to prepare the way of the Lord, which leads to telling about Jesus’ ministry after the following passage. Although the information about Jesus’ ministry isn’t included in this research topic’s scope of analysis, I did want to conclude with what the Apostle John recorded about Jesus in John 1:12-14.]
Mark 1:9-11 says: It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John [the Baptist] in the Jordan. And immediately, coming from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
John 1:12-14 says: But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
[Therefore, don’t let people confuse you, saying the Bible is full of inconsistencies and lies which disprove Jesus Is the Son of God. You have intelligent minds and you know when they are trying to lead you away from the truth! Follow the truth and the light which is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!]
