Thanks to his teachings, miracles, and the fact that he is the son of God, people have grown to love and trust in Jesus Christ. But like all beings, Jesus, too, had a town where he was born and grew up. Thankfully, the Bible gives us adequate answers to these questions. However, those who might not be conversant with the Bible might often wonder, “Where is Jesus from?”
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in the town of Nazareth. Micah 5:2 shows the prophecy by Prophet Micah. He prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, and this prophecy comes to pass in Matthew 2:1. In Luke 2:39, the Bible also provides evidence that Jesus was raised in the town of Nazareth.
So, where was Jesus born? Where was Jesus raised? What was Jesus’ nationality? Did Jesus also live in Egypt? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions.
Where was Jesus born?
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. This is clearly stated in 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.’ Some might wonder why Jesus was born in Bethlehem when his parents lived in Nazareth.
Avid Bible readers might probably know that it was essential for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, and it was not a mere coincidence. One reason Jesus was born in Bethlehem was to fulfill prophet Micah’s prophecy. The prophecy is seen in the book of Micah 5:2 and it quotes prophet Micah’s words. According to the King James Version, he says ‘But thou Bethlehem Ephratah though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.’
Although fulfilling prophet Micah’s prophecy was the primary reason why Jesus was born in Bethlehem, circumstances also forced Joseph and Mary to journey to Bethlehem, thus allowing the prophecy to happen. Bethlehem was conducting a census as instructed by the Roman Empire. This census was mandatory for all Jewish people. Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, he needed to register for the census in Bethlehem.
However, it is unknown how long Jesus and His parents stayed in Bethlehem after his birth.
Where was Jesus raised?
Despite Jesus being born in Bethlehem, he was not raised in that town. He was raised in Nazareth, a city of Galilee. Luke 2:39 is evidence of the return of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to Galilee, in their home city of Nazareth after they had performed all things according to the law of God. In verse 40, the Bible talks about the growth of Jesus in Nazareth. He is depicted as strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and full of the Lord’s grace.
We can also derive the evidence of Jesus’ childhood home in Luke 2:51. Before this verse, Jesus is seen in the temple at Jerusalem, sitting amid Temple Teachers, speaking and listening to them with much wisdom and knowledge. During this period, Jesus is twelve years old.
After this incident at the temple, Jesus returns to Nazareth with his parents, as seen in Luke 2:51. From this information, it is presumed that they lived in Nazareth from this time to when Jesus was 30 years of age. This is also the age at which Jesus was baptized.
Where in Nazareth did Jesus live?
Although the Bible gives us the name of Jesus’ hometown, Nazareth, it does not give us information on where exactly in Nazareth Jesus lived. Britannica calls Nazareth a village (near Sepphoris), which leads us to assume that Nazareth was relatively small. This could probably be why it would be hard to pinpoint Jesus’ exact home in Nazareth.
However, archeologists who worked in Nazareth identified a house that they speculate was the house that Jesus grew up in. This house is dated back to the first century and was first uncovered by nuns at the sisters of Nazareth convent. This information is quite vague therefore it would be wise to take it with a grain of salt since there is no information in the Bible regarding Jesus’ exact house and location.
Was Jesus a Nazarene or a Bethlehemite?
Jesus was a Nazarene, not a Bethlehemite. The term “Nazarene” was given to a person who lived in Nazareth, and as it is stated in the Bible, Nazareth was Jesus’ hometown. In several instances, the Bible often refers to Jesus as “Jesus of Nazareth,” showing that he was from this town. Acts 22:8 and Mark 10:47 are clear depictions of this.
The Bible also clearly calls Jesus a Nazarene in Matthew 2:23, inarguably making it the best response to this question. ‘And he came and dwelt in the city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.’ These are the exact words in the King James Version of the Bible.
Did Jesus also live in Egypt?
Jesus also lived in Egypt for a while. After Jesus was born, King Herod wanted to kill the Messiah and therefore ordered the killing of all the infants in Bethlehem. Due to this, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt.
This was after an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream in Matthew 2:13-15 telling Joseph to take Jesus and Mary and travel from Bethlehem to Egypt since King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. The family was to remain in Egypt until the angel brought word that it was safe to leave. They stayed in Egypt until King Herod died. It is speculated that they spent over three years in Egypt.
References
- Where was Jesus born?
- Jesus’ childhood home
- Where did Jesus live in Nazareth?
- Archeological evidence of Jesus’ house
- Why was Jesus considered a Nazarene?
- Jesus in Egypt
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
