After the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph had to leave the town and flee to Egypt. This journey was not just a simple relocation, but a necessary escape from danger. The Bible provides key verses that shed light on the reasons why Mary and Joseph had to leave Bethlehem.
Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem is a significant event in the Bible, as it was during this journey that Jesus was born. The journey is recounted in several Bible verses, shedding light on the faith and obedience of Mary and Joseph. Here are 10 verses that highlight this important moment in biblical history:
Luke 2:4-5 (NIV)
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”
Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV)
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'”
Matthew 2:9-10 (NIV)
“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”
Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Matthew 2:11 (NIV)
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Luke 2:39-40 (NIV)
“When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.”
Luke 2:42-45 (NIV)
“When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.”
Matthew 1:18-19 (NIV)
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”
Matthew 1:20-23 (NIV)
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).”
Matthew 1:24-25 (NIV)
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
This journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem is a powerful testament to their faith and obedience to God’s plan. It ultimately led to the birth of Jesus, the savior of the world.
Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem Bible Verse Kjv
1. Luke 2:4-5 – And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, 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.
2. Matthew 1:18 – Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
3. Luke 2:6-7 – And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
4. Matthew 1:20 – But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
5. Luke 2:8-9 – And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
6. Matthew 1:21 – And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
7. Luke 2:10-11 – And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
8. Matthew 2:1 – Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.
9. Luke 2:15 – And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
10. Matthew 2:11 – And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
The journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem is a pivotal moment in the story of Jesus’ birth. These Bible verses illustrate the miraculous events surrounding this journey and the birth of the Savior.
Why Did Mary and Joseph Leave Bethlehem
1. Threat of King Herod
Matthew 2:13-15 – “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.'”
2. Fulfillment of Prophecy
Matthew 2:17-18 – “Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.'”
3. Protection and Safety
Matthew 2:20 – “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
4. Obedience to God
Matthew 2:14 – “So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,”
5. Divine Guidance
Matthew 2:19 – “After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt”
6. Avoiding Danger
Matthew 2:22-23 – “But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there.”
7. Protection of the Messiah
Matthew 2:12 – “And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”
8. Fulfilling God’s Plan
Matthew 2:16 – “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.”
9. Trusting in God’s Providence
Matthew 2:21 – “So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.”
10. Ministering to the Nations
Matthew 2:23 – “And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”
Who Told Mary and Joseph to Go to Bethlehem
In the Bible, it is mentioned that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem because of a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. But who actually told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem? Let’s explore this question further by looking at relevant Bible verses:
1. Luke 2:1-5 (NIV)
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”
2. Micah 5:2 (NIV)
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
3. Matthew 2:1-6 (NIV)
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written.'”
4. Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'”
5. Matthew 2:13-15 (NIV)
“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.'”
6. Matthew 2:19-23 (NIV)
“After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.’ So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”
7. Luke 2:4-7 (NIV)
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
8. Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'”
9. Luke 2:15-20 (NIV)
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
10. Luke 2:39-40 (NIV)
“When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.”
By examining these Bible verses, we can see that the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem was guided by a combination of historical events, prophecy, and divine intervention.
The Journey to Bethlehem Story
The journey to Bethlehem is a significant event in the Bible that has been retold for generations. It is the story of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem to register for the census, as foretold in the prophecies. This journey ultimately led to the birth of Jesus in a humble manger. The journey had its challenges, but it ultimately fulfilled God’s plan for salvation.
Scriptures pertaining to the journey to Bethlehem:
1. Luke 2:4-5
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”
2. Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
3. Matthew 2:1
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.”
4. Luke 2:6-7
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.”
5. Luke 2:41-42
“Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.”
6. John 7:42
“Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”
7. Matthew 1:20
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'”
8. Luke 2:3
“And everyone went to their own town to register.”
9. Luke 2:27
“Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required.”
10. John 7:42
“Does not scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”
The journey to Bethlehem is a testament to the faithfulness of God’s plan and the humble beginnings of Jesus. It is a reminder that God can use ordinary people and circumstances to bring about extraordinary things. The journey to Bethlehem ultimately led to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who came to save the world from sin.