Hey, there. Welcome to the Investigators Guide to the Bible. When we left our intrepid couple, Mary and Joseph, they were deciding if they should move to Bethlehem. Let’s look at some more concrete reasons why a move to Bethlehem, rather than just a trip, makes more sense. One more time, let’s see if I can turn what you know about the Infancy Narrative on its head. Let’s talk about the logistics of the Nativity; what makes sense and what does not. As always, no question is off limits. Like and subscribe for new episodes. Share the episode, restack it, and send it to your friends. Feel free to ask some questions at the end, if you want.
Resources and References so I can pretend I’m really smart:
* Most Bible quotes I used come from the New American Bible, Revised Edition. Washington, DC: Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, 2010 This is just my working Bible for most of these episodes. Any Bible you use will be fine for all of the Biblical references.
* Almost every discussion on the translation of a particular word means a trip to BibleHub.com for their amazing Interlinear Bible. Bible Hub, Glassport, PA. Just assume I’m using their site and check it out for yourself. (https://biblehub.com/interlinear/, accessed more times than I can count, 2021-2025)
If you read something that is not a direct quote and think the brilliant thought might be mine, it is safer to assume I messed up the citation. Give credit to the super smart people below.
1. Pixner, Bargil, O.S.B. With Jesus in Jerusalem: His First and Last Days in Judea. Rosh Pina, Israel: Corazin Publishing, 1996
2. Schauss, Hayyim. “Ancient Jewish Marriage.” Ancient/Medieval Jewish History.My Jewish Learning website, myjewishlearning.com, Copyright 2002-2022. (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ancient-jewish-marriage/, accessed 27 Jan 2022)
3. Gaechter, Paul S.J. “The Chronology from Mary’s Betrothal to the Birth of Christ.” Theological Studies, 2(3), 347–368, 1941
4. Gaechter, Paul S.J. “The Chronology From Mary’s Betrothal to the Birth of Christ.” Theological Studies, 2(2), 145-170, 1941
5. “The Protoevangelium of James the Lesser.” Translated by Alexander Walker. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 8. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.
6. Bailey, Dr. Kenneth. “The Manger and the Inn,”Associates for Biblical Research, 8 Nov 2008. (https://biblearchaeology.org/research/chronological-categories/new-testament-era/2803-the-manger-and-the-inn, accessed 16 Sep 2025)
7. Pitre, Brant. The Hidden King: The Jewish Roots of St. Joseph. New York: Image, 2016
8. Philo, translated by F.H. Colson and G.H. Whitaker. Loeb Classical Library: Philo Volume I. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1929.
9. Pixner, Bargil, O.S.B. Paths of the Messiah: Messianic Sites in Galilee and Jerusalem. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2010
10. Filz, Gretchen. “The Story of St. Francis of Assisi and the First Nativity Scene, as told by St. Bonaventure,” The Catholic Company Magazine, 20 Dec 2016 (https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/story-francis-assisi-first-navity-scene-5955?rsltid=AfmBOopxP7r3qMIHzJk8QuBHsr8fdkPZUYZA61FtiWqe6EIjaVLrQ0q0, accessed 15 Dec 2021)
11. Hesemann, Michael, translated by Michael J. Miller. Mary of Nazareth: History, Archeology, Legends. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, CA 2016 (Original German edition, 2011, Sankt Ulrich Verlag, Augsburg, Germany.)
12. Ratzinger, Joseph, Pope Benedict XVI. Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives. New York: Crown Publishing, 2012
13. Wise, Michael; Abegg, Martin Jr.; and Cook, Edward. The Dead Sea Scrolls: A New Translation. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1996
14. Crawford, Sidnie White, "Not According to Rule: Women, the Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran" (2003). Faculty Publications, Classics and Religious Studies Department. Paper 65. (http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/classicsfacpub/65, accessed 28 Sep 2022)
15. Safrai, Schmuel. “No Room in the Inn?” Jerusalem Perspective, Volume 4, Number 6. Jerusalem: Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research, 1991
16. Lanser, Rick, MDiv. “Pinpointing the Date of Christ's Birth,” Associates for Biblical Research, 2019. (https://biblearchaeology.org/about/abr-projects/the-daniel-9-24-27-project/4368-pinpointing-the-date-of-christ-s-birth, accessed 2 Mar 2022)
17. Bergsma, John. Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls. New York: Image Penguin Random House, 2019
18. Mishnah, Online Version from Sefaria (https://www.sefaria.org/texts/Mishnah, accessed frequently between 2021 and 2025.) This episode references Mishnah Keritot and Shekalim.
19. van der Hoeven, A.A.M. Jesus and Moses – Mary Magdalene. April 26, 2009 (http://www.jesusking.info/Jesus_and_Moses.pdf, accessed 10 Apr 2023)
20. Nunnaly, Dr. Wave. “Modern Midrash: The Myth of Migdal Eder.” The Bible Unplugged website, 2025. (https://wavenunnally.com/modern-midrash-the-myth-of-migdal-eder/, accessed 12 Sep 2025)
