Figure 1 Hebron as seen in this 1960's photo is very much like it was
in Jesus’ day.THE GOSPELS: LESSON 4:
THE BIRTH OF JESUS, PART ONE – THE VISITATIONS.
Jesus’ birth has been the subject of countless stories and songs. Since the fourth century his birth has been celebrated by much of the Christian world on the day we know as Christmas. But even though all the world seems to know about the birth (nativity) of Jesus, there is no end to the false additions to the Biblical texts concerning this great event. As students of scripture we must separate the true from the false and fanciful. The only way to do that is to ignore Catholic and secular traditions of Christmas and concentrate on the facts of Jesus birth as presented in the Gospels. We will separate the story into two parts – 1) the angelic visitation to Mary in Luke 1 and 2) the events of Luke 2 and Matthew 1.
I. LUKE 1: 26 - 56 THE VISITATION TO MARY (THE ANNUNCIATION)
Verses 26, 27: The earthly parents of Jesus.
“In the sixth month” – This does NOT mean the sixth month of the Jewish calendar (Iyyar ≈August) or the sixth month of the Roman calendar (June). It refers to the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.
“the angel Gabriel was sent” – same angel who announced the birth of John. Gabriel was the angel “who stands in the presence of God.” He was sent in this case not to Joseph, but to Mary.
“to a city of Galilee named Nazareth” – Just in case there was any doubt which Nazareth, it was the one in Galilee (see map). Nazareth was the home of Mary and Joseph even before Jesus was born.
“betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph” – Mary was betrothed to Joseph of Nazareth, even before the angelic visit. Betrothal? See handout.
“and the virgin’s name was Mary” – Mary (Hebrew: Mariam or Miriam) Twice in verse 27 it says “virgin.”
VERSES 28 - 38: THE ANGEL GABRIEL’S ANNOUNCEMENT
Verses 28, 29: Gabriel greets Mary and she is “greatly troubled.” Gabriel does not worship her, but he does say she has received grace and that God was with her. The King James and other versions take great liberties with the text here. Literally, what Gabriel says is, “Hail, one who receives grace, God is with you.” The phrase “blessed art thou among women” is not found in the oldest and most accurate manuscripts, but seems to be an addition by a Catholic cleric, sometime in the fourth century, after the practice of mariolatry had begun creeping into the Catholic Church.
NOTE: Mariolatry is the excessive devotion and worship of Mary as practiced by the Catholic Church. The Catholics pray to Mary and the Pope has declared her a co-redemptrix with Christ. That means they think she is just as important as Jesus in saving mankind. This is heresy of the first magnitude!
Verses 30 - 33: “you have found favor with God” – Mary was obviously a very devout and righteous woman.
“you shall conceive in your womb and bear a son” – A literal, physical birth begun by miraculous means. (See I Jn. 4: 2, 3)
“you shall call his name Jesus” – The actual anglicized form of Jesus’ name should be Joshua, (Hebrew Yeshua) but the Greek form is Iesous, from which we get the anglicized Jesus.
“he will be called the son of the most high” – the Son of God.
“he will be given the throne of David” – Jesus is of the lineage of David and is called the son of David.
“he will reign over the house of Jacob forever” – The church is spiritual Israel (Jacob). (Rom. 2: 28, 29; Gal. 6: 16; Heb. 8)
“of his kingdom there will be no end” – “End” is from the Greek word telos, which can mean end in terms of time or space. In other words, the kingdom shall not end as long as the world lasts (time) and it shall have no boundaries, but shall be found in all the earth (space).
VERSES 34 - 38: DETAILS OF THE BIRTH AND OTHER THINGS.
Verse 34: “How can this be?” Mary had not “known” any man. This is a euphemism for “had sexual relations with.” Again it is clear she is a virgin.
Verse 35: God made Mary pregnant. How? By a miracle, not by coitus.
Verse 36: Mary is told Elizabeth’s story. John is six months older than Jesus.
Verse 37: With God nothing is impossible.
Verse 38: “I am the handmaid of the Lord” – Notice why Mary was highly favored by God: “I am God’s slave, let Him do as he has said.” What a great example of obedience for us. Gabriel was satisfied and left.
VERSES 39 - 45: MARY GOES TO ZECHARIAH’S HOUSE IN JUDAH.
Figure 1 Hebron as seen in this 1960's photo is very much like it was
in Jesus’ day.Verse 39: As we said before, this was probably Hebron.
Verse 40: Why only greet Elizabeth? Two reasons:
1) Zechariah was probably at work and
2) women did not socialize with men who were not their husbands or fathers or brothers; they addressed them only if there was a need to do so.
Verses 41, 42: Two things happen:
1) The babe (unborn John) leaps in the womb and
2)Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she proceeds to “prophesy” as the Spirit prompted her to do.
Verse 42: Mary would be blessed because God favored her above other women to bear His Son. The child in her womb would also be blessed. The word blessed is from the Greek eulogeo, meaning “good word.” Literally, it means “to speak well of.” By extension, it is can also mean “to receive a gift” or “offer thanks.” God blesses us by speaking well of us and sometimes by giving us some physical or spiritual gift. We bless God by speaking well of him (praise and thanksgiving).
Verse 43: Here, under the influence of the Spirit, Elizabeth calls Mary the “mother of my Lord” (Lord = Gr. kurios), NOT the mother of my God (God = Gr. theos). The Greek word theotokos meaning “mother or bearer of God” appears nowhere in scripture and was unused in Christianity until about 300 AD. The correct term for Mary should be christotokos (bearer or mother of Christ) NOT theotokos.
Verse 44: “the babe leaped in my womb for joy” – can anyone read this verse and doubt the humanity of an unborn child?
Verse 45: Who is the “she” spoken of here? Mary. She had not doubted, but had wondered how it could be done, since she was a virgin. Obviously she had been taught about the “birds and the bees.” In contrast, Zechariah had doubted that John’s birth was possible.
VERSES 46 - 56: MARY PRAISES GOD (THE MAGNIFICAT)
Verse 46: “My soul magnifies the Lord. . .” This is one of the best known phrases ever uttered by a woman.
Verse 47: Mary calls God her Savior. Surely she is recalling Isaiah 43: 11. “I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.”
Verse 48: Twice Mary has referred to herself as the “handmaiden” of the Lord. Handmaid is from the Greek doule (doo - lay), which means “slave-girl.”
“. . . from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed . . .” Mary is to be blessed (spoken well of) by us, but she is NEVER to be worshiped. The Catholic idea that Mary is the “co-redemtrix” is damnable heresy.
Verses 49 - 55: All through this Mary diverts attention from herself and gives praise to God. How sad that such a humble and righteous woman could be turned into such a stumbling block by evil and ignorant Catholics!
Verse 56: Mary stays with Elizabeth for three months and then goes back home to Nazareth. Did she stay until John was born? We are not told. Obviously for a woman of Elizabeth’s age the last three months of her pregnancy would be the hardest, and Mary was there to help. Mary was always a servant to others.
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