The Nativity
Bethlehem, the magi, and the temple (Matthew 1:18–2:23; Luke 1–2)
27 profiles tagged The Nativity.
Augustus
Founder of the Roman Empire who decreed the census mentioned in the Gospel of Luke
The first Roman Emperor, whose census decree brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus Christ.
Archelaus
Cruel ruler of Judea whose reputation caused the Holy Family to settle in Nazareth
Herod Archelaus was the ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea, whose notoriously cruel reign forced Joseph and Mary to settle in Nazareth with the infant Jesus.
Aaron
First High Priest of Israel who served as the spokesman for Moses during the Exodus
The first High Priest of Israel, elder brother of Moses, and primary spokesman for the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt.
Abijah, Priest of the Divided Monarchy
Priest who headed the eighth division of the twenty-four priestly courses established for Temple service
A descendant of Aaron through Eleazar whose priestly course served as a foundational division for Temple service from the era of David through the first century AD.
Abraham
Patriarch who is the father of the nation of Israel and an exemplar of faith
The first of the three biblical patriarchs and the father of the nation of Israel, known for his unwavering faith and his covenant relationship with God.
Anna
Prophetess who recognized the infant Jesus as the Redeemer in the Temple
An elderly prophetess of the tribe of Asher who testified to the infant Jesus' identity as the Redeemer in the Temple at Jerusalem.
Asher
Patriarch who founded one of the twelve tribes of Israel and was noted for the fertility of his land
Asher was the eighth son of Jacob, the second born to Zilpah, and the ancestral patriarch of the Tribe of Asher, known for the fertile lands and prosperity promised in his father's blessing.
David
King of Israel who defeated Goliath and established the Davidic dynasty
The second king of the United Monarchy of Israel, a shepherd-warrior and psalmist known as a man after God's own heart.
Elijah the Tishbite
Prophet who called down fire from heaven and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind
A foundational prophet of the Divided Monarchy known for his confrontation with Baal worship and his departure from earth in a whirlwind.
Elizabeth
Prophetess and mother of John the Baptist who recognized the unborn Christ
The mother of John the Baptist, a daughter of Aaron, and a prophetess who recognized the lordship of the unborn Christ.
Father of Elizabeth
Father of Elizabeth and descendant of Aaron through whom John the Baptist received his priestly lineage
A member of the tribe of Levi whose direct lineage established the priestly credentials of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist.
Herod, King of Judea
King of Judea who ordered the Massacre of the Innocents
The Roman-appointed King of Judea who sought to kill the infant Jesus and ordered the Massacre of the Innocents in Bethlehem.
Israel
Patriarch who wrestled with God and fathered the twelve tribes
The third patriarch of the covenant, formerly known as Jacob, who received his name after wrestling with God and became the father of the twelve tribes.
Jeremiah, Son of Hilkiah
Prophet who predicted the seventy-year Babylonian exile and the New Covenant
A major prophet of the Divided Monarchy who predicted the fall of Jerusalem and the 70-year Babylonian exile while suffering intense persecution for his message.
Jesus
Messiah and central figure of the New Testament whose life, death, and resurrection form the basis of the Christian faith
The central figure of the New Testament, Jesus was born of Mary in Bethlehem, performed numerous miracles, and was crucified under Pontius Pilate before rising from the dead.
John the Baptist, Son of Zechariah
Prophet who baptized Jesus and preached repentance in the wilderness
An ascetic prophet and the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth who preached repentance in the wilderness and prepared the way for the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Joseph, Husband of Mary
Legal father of Jesus and husband of Mary who protected the Holy Family during their flight to Egypt
A righteous descendant of David who served as the legal father of Jesus and the husband of the Virgin Mary during the early 1st century AD.
Judah, Son of Jacob
Patriarch who received the blessing of the scepter and whose lineage produced King David and Jesus Christ
The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, ancestor of the Tribe of Judah and the Davidic line, known for his leadership and pivotal role in the preservation of his family.
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Mother of Jesus who conceived by the Holy Spirit
A woman of the tribe of Levi who, while a virgin, was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Moses
Prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments
The preeminent prophet and lawgiver of Israel who led the Hebrews out of Egyptian bondage and mediated the Covenant at Mount Sinai.
Phanuel
Father of the prophetess Anna who recognized the infant Jesus
A member of the tribe of Asher and the father of the prophetess Anna, mentioned during the presentation of Jesus at the Temple.
Quirinius
Roman Governor of Syria whose census compelled Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem
Publius Sulpicius Quirinius was a high-ranking Roman official and Governor of Syria whose census provides the chronological marker for the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke.
Rachel
Matriarch of Israel and the beloved wife of Jacob who died giving birth to Benjamin
The beloved wife of the patriarch Jacob and the biological mother of Joseph and Benjamin, recognized as a foundational matriarch of the nation of Israel.
Simeon, Witness of the Presentation
Prophet who identified the infant Jesus as the Messiah in the Temple
A righteous and devout man in Jerusalem who, led by the Holy Spirit, recognized the infant Jesus as the promised Messiah during His presentation at the Temple.
Theophilus
Recipient of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts
Theophilus was the official recipient of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, likely a high-ranking Gentile undergoing Christian instruction.
Wife of Heli
Mother of Mary and daughter of the priestly line of Aaron
An unnamed woman of the priestly line of Aaron, identified as the partner of Heli and mother of Mary.
Zechariah, Father of John the Baptist
Father of John the Baptist who was struck mute in the Temple
A righteous priest of the division of Abijah who was momentarily struck mute for his disbelief before fathering John the Baptist in his old age.