PER012

The journey to Bethlehem

Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem for a census, foretold to coincide with the Messiah's birth. Despite Mary's advanced pregnancy, the couple cover 137 km, with the journey planned for the Feast of Tabernacles. Luke is the only biblical author to document this journey. After the arduous trip, Mary goes into labour, bringing their arrival into line with the prophecies.

3 min Bethlehem journey Joseph Mary census 1 verse 1 book

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Biblical texts

Matthew
Matthew (King James Version) not cited in the book
Mark
Mark (King James Version) not cited in the book
Luke
Luke 2.3-5 (King James Version)

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 Judæa, 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 wife, being great with child.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
John
John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: Bethlehem in Judea

Date: The in October -2 BC

Method: We continue with Luke

Note on the method: Luke alone records this episode

The journey to Bethlehem

Joseph and Mary travelled 137 km over five days

Departure for Bethlehem

Departure for Bethlehem

Comments

The is imminent. According to Luke, however, the main reason for this journey is the census decreed by the , represented by Quirinius.

It should be noted that Mary and Joseph know the Messiah must be born in Bethlehem; this coincidence therefore seems providential. Legally, Mary is not obliged to accompany her husband Joseph.

Nevertheless, the couple choose not to be separated. It is also difficult to ignore the neighbours' judgement: they certainly noticed that the marriage had not followed the traditional one-year waiting period.

Nazareth is about 130 kilometres from Bethlehem, a journey that required a week's walk at the time. The image of Mary riding a donkey on this journey is implausible given her advanced pregnancy.

Instead, we suppose the couple had a small cart suited to the paths of the time, probably designed and built by Joseph, a carpenter by trade, and a donkey to pull it.

Despite their precautions, the jolting of the journey brought on labour shortly after their arrival. Joseph and Mary seem to have planned an extended stay in Bethlehem, in accordance with the prescriptions of the law of Moses, effectively making a temporary move.