The life of Jesus · New Testament
The Story of the Birth of Jesus
Angels announce the births of John and Jesus; Jesus is born in Bethlehem, shepherds and magi come to him, and Joseph takes the family to Egypt and then to Nazareth.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Two Gospels tell of Jesus’ birth, and each tells different parts of it. Luke begins with the angel Gabriel’s announcements to Zechariah and to Mary, and tells of the birth in Bethlehem, the shepherds and the presentation in the temple. Luke 1:26–38Luke 2:1–20
Matthew tells the story from Joseph’s side: his dream, the visit of the magi, and the flight to Egypt from Herod. Neither Gospel tells everything, and they do not say how their accounts fit together in time; this page follows each Gospel’s own order. Matthew 1:18–25Matthew 2:1–23
Principal passages
People in this story
- Zechariah The Story of Zechariah
- Elizabeth The Story of Elizabeth
- Mary, mother of Jesus The Story of Mary, mother of Jesus
- John the Baptist The Story of John the Baptist
- Joseph of Nazareth The Story of Joseph of Nazareth
- Jesus The Story of Jesus
- Herod the Great The Story of Herod the Great
- the shepherds
- Simeon
- Anna
- the magi
Places named
- Nazareth in Galilee Luke 1:26
- Bethlehem of Judea Luke 2:4Matthew 2:1
- Jerusalem and the temple Luke 2:22
- Egypt Matthew 2:13–15
Only places the passages name. Locations are not guessed.
The story, event by event
In the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here.
An angel appears to Zechariah
While the priest Zechariah serves in the temple, the angel Gabriel tells him that his wife Elizabeth, who has been unable to have children, will bear a son named John. Zechariah doubts and is made unable to speak.
Gabriel comes to Mary
In Nazareth Gabriel tells Mary, a virgin engaged to Joseph, that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear a son named Jesus, who will be called the Son of God. Mary answers, “Behold, the servant of the Lord.”
Mary visits Elizabeth
Mary visits Elizabeth, whose baby leaps at her greeting. Elizabeth blesses her, and Mary praises God who lifts up the humble and fills the hungry.
John is born
Elizabeth gives birth. When Zechariah writes that the child’s name is John, his speech returns and he prophesies about God’s salvation and his son’s calling.
Joseph’s dream
Joseph, learning that Mary is pregnant, plans to end the engagement quietly. An angel tells him in a dream to take Mary as his wife and to name the child Jesus.
Born in Bethlehem
A decree from Caesar Augustus brings Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, the town of David. Mary gives birth to her firstborn son and lays him in a manger, because there is no room in the lodging.
The shepherds
An angel tells shepherds near Bethlehem of good news of great joy: a Saviour is born. A multitude of angels praise God. The shepherds find the baby and tell what they were told.
People: Jesus, Mary, mother of Jesus, the shepherds
Presented in the temple
Jesus is named on the eighth day and presented in the temple. Simeon takes him in his arms and praises God for his salvation; the prophet Anna speaks of the child to all who are waiting for redemption.
People: Jesus, Mary, mother of Jesus, Joseph of Nazareth, Simeon, Anna
The magi
Magi from the east come to Jerusalem asking where the king of the Jews has been born. Herod sends them to Bethlehem; they follow the star, worship the child and offer gold, frankincense and myrrh, then return home another way.
Luke does not mention the magi and Matthew does not mention the shepherds. Neither Gospel says how long after the birth the magi came.
People: Jesus, Herod the Great, the magi
Egypt, then Nazareth
Warned in a dream, Joseph takes the child and Mary to Egypt. Herod orders the killing of the boys of Bethlehem. After Herod’s death the family settles in Nazareth.
Related and parallel passages
- Isaiah 7:14 Supporting passage · Joseph’s dream — Quoted in Matthew 1:23
- Matthew 1:24–25 Parallel account · Born in Bethlehem — Matthew records the birth and the naming in one sentence.
- Micah 5:2 Supporting passage · The magi — Quoted by the chief priests and scribes in Matthew 2:6
- Hosea 11:1 Supporting passage · Egypt, then Nazareth — Quoted in Matthew 2:15
Later in the Bible
Later passages that recall or interpret this story. They are not events within it.
- John 1:14 Teaching or quotation mentioning them — “The Word became flesh, and lived among us.”
- Galatians 4:4–5 Teaching or quotation mentioning them — “God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law.”
- Philippians 2:6–8 Teaching or quotation mentioning them — Christ took the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Connected themes
- Humility
Mary praises God who has exalted the lowly. Luke 1:48–53
- Joy
Good news of great joy for all people. Luke 2:10
- The Kingdom of God
Gabriel says Jesus’ kingdom will have no end. Luke 1:33
Questions for study
Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
- How do Matthew and Luke each begin the story, and why might they choose different parts?
- What does Mary’s song (Luke 1:46-55) say about the kind of God she praises?
- Who are the first people to hear of the birth in each Gospel?
- Which Old Testament passages does Matthew quote, and what point does each make?
Reading plans
- The Life and Teachings of Jesus
The plan begins with the birth narratives.
Use offline
Save this story on your device, then download the Bible books it uses in your version: Luke, Matthew. The study keeps only its own notes and references; the Scripture comes from the books on your device, never a second copy.