Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a little town which is a few miles (or kilometers) from Jerusalem in Israel. The Bible records this wonderful event in Matthew 2:1, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.”
An Old Testament prophecy also foretold the location of Jesus’ birthplace in Micah 5:2 (CSB), “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.”
The Jewish people were very familiar with this prophecy. When the wise men came to worship baby Jesus, they asked King Herod, who then asked the chief priests, where the new king would be born. Matthew 2:1-6 (CSB) “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him…he (King Herod) assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Christ would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Thus, scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments locate Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1261: “Am I Listening to the Angel?”
Looking at Jesus’ birth through the messages of angels
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
