Jesus is born

When did it happen?

Modern reckoning

6–4 BC

Traditional reckoning

4 BC

How it's dated

Herod's death (Josephus)

Before Herod the Great died (Matthew 2:19), which Josephus places in 4 BC.

Dates before about 900 BC depend on how the Bible's own numbers are added up. Why the two reckonings differ.

Sources: Theographic event 254; Josephus, Antiquities 17.

Where is it in the Bible?

• Luke 2:1–20

Who was there, and where?

• Jesus Christ

Where: Bethlehem.

Promises kept

• The woman's offspring: Genesis written → Jesus is born, ~1,400–1,440 years (Modern).
• Out of Bethlehem: Micah written → Jesus is born, ~690–730 years (Modern).

Which verses connect to Luke 2:7?

The strongest cross-references of the key verse, ranked by reader votes (OpenBible.info).

1. Galatians 4:417 votes

   But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

2. 2 Corinthians 8:916 votes

   For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

3. Isaiah 53:2–312 votes

   He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

4. John 1:1412 votes

   The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

5. Matthew 1:2510 votes

   But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.

6. Luke 2:11–1210 votes

   Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”