In examining any issue we must go to the Word, not the writings of others or traditions. We must ask: What does the Bible say? We likely accept tradition because it takes effort, time, and study to find the answers in the Word. Jesus had to fulfill the LAW in order to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. That meant following the Law of Moses. To understand the events of Jesus we must first understand the Law. That means understanding the appointed times and requirements of the Law. Example of a TRADITION related to the Birth of Jesus: "The wisemen visited Jesus in the manager in Bethlehem." Scripture reveals that the shepherds visited Jesus in the manager in Bethlehem, but then Jesus was taken to Jerusalem and seen by Simeon. Luke records that they then went to Nazareth. The wise men visited about two years later in a house. Both the wise men and Joseph had visions and acted on them. Wise men headed back without going to Herod in Jerusalem. Joseph went to Egypt, likely funded by the gifts of the wise men. But they were likely there less than a year because Luke says they made the passover in Jerusalem every year. It's also interesting to note that those in Iraq, Iran and so on refer to Christians as followers of the Nazarene. Hence the "N" symbol. That's a tradition that supports the text and counters Western traditions. Leviticus, Matthew and Luke provide the details. From the Torah and the Gospel we see the supported time line: 1) Jesus is born in Bethlehem (Matthew and Luke, and prophets to be named later) 2) Jesus is visited in the manager by shepherds in Bethlehem (Luke 2:16) 3) Circumcised on the 8th day (Luke 2:21) 4) after the days of purification, dedicated in JERUSALEM (Luke 2:22, Leviticus 12) 5) after the dedication taken to NAZARETH (Luke 2:39, Leviticus 12) 6) According to the Law... EVERY year at the Feast of the Passover (Leviticus 23) 7) Wise men seek Jesus, talk to Herod - find out about Bethlehem (Matt 2) 8) Wise men begin to leave Jerusalem, SEE the STAR (NOTE: no mention of direction...) 9) Wise men visit Jesus in HOUSE (no mention of manger or city) 10) Joseph and the magi are warned - Magi head back east, Joseph heads to Egypt 11) The trip to Eqypt likely funded by gifts of the magi... less than one year in Egypt 12) Joseph and Jesus return to Nazareth. 1) Leviticus 12 - records the Law concerning birth. NOTE: circumcised 8th day... then, Lev 12:6 - tent of meeting Lev 12:2 "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying:' When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. Lev 12:3 On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Lev 12:4 Then she shall remain in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days; she shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed. Lev 12:6 'When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. 2) Luke 2 - records the visit by the sheperds in Bethlehem and the trip to Jerusalem to the temple Luk 2:15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another," Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." Luk 2:16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. Luk 2:21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, ... Luk 2:22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord Luk 2:23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord," Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), Luk 2:24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord," A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." Luk 2:25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; ... 3) Matthew 2 records details of the birth and the visit of the magi Mat 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, Mat 2:2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Mat 2:4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. Mat 2:5 They said to him," In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: Mat 2:6 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel. '" Mat 2:7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. Mat 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said," Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." Mat 2:9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. NOTE: which they "HAD" seen in the east... went on before them... (Jerusalem is north of Bethlehem, and so is Nazareth...) Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. NOTE: It is important to note the omission of information, Bethlehem is NOT mentioned, nor is the direction they traveled. Mat 2:11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; ... Mat 2:12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. NOTE: The text says "not to return" to Herod... If they were north of Jerusalem in Nazareth they would have to RETURN to Jerusalem, but if in Bethlehem they would only need to stop along the way. Terse details and omissions are important. Mat 2:13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord *appeared to Joseph in a dream and said," Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him." Mat 2:14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. Mat 2:15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet." Out of Egypt I called My Son." Mat 2:16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Mat 2:17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: Mat 2:18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; ... Mat 2:19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord *appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, Mat 2:20 "Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child's life are dead." Mat 2:21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. Mat 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, Mat 2:23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets." He shall be called a Nazarene." 4) Luke records additional details about where Jesus was taken after birth Luk 2:39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. Luk 2:40 The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luk 2:41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. ========================================================================================================== Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (kjv) Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. (nas) Luk 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (kjv) Luk 24:44 Now He said to them," These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."(nas) ====================== searched for: tradition ====================== ---------- tradition found in KJV and NAS translations: 27 times -- tradition found in kjv 13 times --- -- tradition found in NAS 14 times --- ---------- -- tradition was found in the KJV in: Mat 15:2; Mat 15:3; Mat 15:6; Mar 7:3; Mar 7:5; Mar 7:8; Mar 7:9; Mar 7:13; Gal 1:14; Col 2:8; 2Th 2:15; 2Th 3:6; 1Pe 1:18; --- KJV: tradition --- ---------- ----- tradition was found in the NASB in: Isa 29:13; Mat 15:2; Mat 15:3; Mat 15:6; Mar 7:3; Mar 7:5; Mar 7:8; Mar 7:9; Mar 7:13; 1Co 11:2; Gal 1:14; Col 2:8; 2Th 2:15; 2Th 3:6; --- NASB: tradition --- ---------- ======================