Bethlehem
Church of the Nativity
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c. 7 BC – c. AD 27
- New Testament
The Birth and Childhood of Jesus
Bethlehem, the city of David, and Nazareth, a small village in Galilee: the two places where the Gospels set the beginnings of Jesus.
Credit: Rundvald · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The New Testament opens in the Judea of King Herod. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke place the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the city of David, and his childhood in Nazareth, in Galilee. Since Herod died in 4 BC, most historians date this birth between 7 and 4 BC.
The political and religious background of the time is covered in the Second Temple period, the bridge between the Old and New Testaments.
- SourcesGospels of Matthew (ch. 1-2) and Luke (ch. 1-2)
- RulersHerod the Great, then his sons under Roman authority
- Key placesBethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem (presentation at the Temple)
- To seeChurch of the Nativity, Basilica of the Annunciation
"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem."
Luke 2:4
Sites from this period
2 places covered on this page. Tap a point on the map to open its guide.
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Nazareth
Basilica of the Annunciation
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Bethlehem, the city of David
About ten kilometres south of Jerusalem, Bethlehem is already the home of Ruth and David in the Old Testament. The Gospels place the birth of Jesus there, in a cave or a stable according to tradition. As early as the 2nd century, the Christian writer Justin mentions a cave venerated at this spot.
Emperor Constantine had a first basilica built there in the 4th century; the present building is mostly the work of Emperor Justinian, in the 6th century. The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest churches still in use in the world, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012. Beneath its choir, the Grotto of the Nativity is marked by a silver star.
Nazareth, a village in Galilee
Nazareth is never mentioned in the Old Testament: in the 1st century it was a small farming village in the hills of Galilee. Excavations under the Basilica of the Annunciation (completed in 1969) uncovered carved caves, silos and traces of houses from that time. In 2009, a 1st-century house was excavated a few metres from the basilica.
Six kilometres away, the city of Sepphoris (Tzippori), rebuilt by Herod Antipas, was the regional capital: its mosaics and theatre can be visited in a national park.
Visiting the places of the birth of Jesus
- Bethlehem: Church of the Nativity and its grotto, with the neighbouring Church of St Catherine. Bethlehem is in the West Bank: check access conditions before you go.
- Nazareth: Basilica of the Annunciation, Church of St Joseph and remains of the ancient village.
- Tzippori: the capital of Galilee in the time of Jesus, easy to combine with Nazareth.
From Nazareth, the places of the ministry of Jesus in Galilee are less than an hour's drive away.
Frequently asked questions
In what year was Jesus born?
The Gospels place his birth in the reign of Herod the Great, who died in 4 BC. Most historians therefore date it between 7 and 4 BC. The gap with the year 1 comes from a calculation error made in the 6th century.
Where is the Grotto of the Nativity?
Beneath the choir of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Two staircases lead down to it; a silver star marks the traditional place of the birth. Expect a long wait at busy times.
What remains of 1st-century Nazareth?
Carved caves, silos, cisterns and traces of houses under the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Church of St Joseph, as well as a 1st-century house found in 2009 close to the basilica.
Why is Jesus called "of Nazareth" if he was born in Bethlehem?
According to the Gospels, Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth and were in Bethlehem only for a census. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, hence the name by which he was known.
Can you visit Bethlehem from Jerusalem?
Yes, Bethlehem is about ten kilometres away. The town is in the West Bank: crossing conditions change with the situation and should be checked just before the visit.