Page 79 - Biblical Theology Textbook - masters

Here is a brief guess of the chronology in the life of Christ.

Jesus may have been born on the Day of Atonement in 2BC (Fall of the year). The Wise Men sought to
worship the child in early 1 BC (arriving three to four months after Jesus’ birth). Herod sought the life of
the child. Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt in early I BC (Spring). Herod probably died later in 1 BC (Fall –
when Jesus was almost 1 years old). Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Nazareth after Herod’s death.
Jesus began his ministry when he was 30 years old in 29 AD (spring). Jesus was crucified when he was
33 or 34 years old in March of 33 AD. This chronology fits the dates we do know.

A 6 or 5 BC birthdate would put Him much older. The Bible tells us that Jesus was born in the “fullness
of time” (Galatians 4:4-5). Jesus’ birth took place at the time in history God chose. He had promised
humanity a Savior in Genesis (3:15); and then set about to prepare humanity for the Savior’s
arrival. God’s providence had arranged everything to culminate in the birth of the Savior in that stable
on that night. The birth of the One who would give His life to pay for our sins. He would fulfill the
promises made by God to redeem us!

Gabriel visits Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
Luke 1:26-38 tells us the story of the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary. This must have been quite unnerving
for Mary, a visit from a heavenly being telling her that she, a virgin, has been chosen to give birth to the
Savior of the world. Mary was initially frightened until Gabriel told her that she had found favor with
God. Gabriel explained to her that she would conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers
rightly celebrate Jesus’ birth, but it was actually a normal birth; if being born in a stable can be called
normal, that is. However, His conception was a one-time event that was unique in all of history.
The angel told Mary a few things about her soon-to-be-son:

• He was to be called “Jesus” (1:31);
• He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High (1:32);
• God will give Him the throne of David (1:32);
• there will be no end to His kingdom (1:33);
• He will be called Holy-the Son of God (1:35).
Gabriel assured Mary these things would surely take place because, “…nothing will be impossible with
God” (1:37 ESV). Mary and the angel ended their conversation with Mary humbling herself to the will of
God.

Angel visits Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1:18-25)
At this time, Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married. In their culture, when a man and woman
were engaged it was very much as if they were married, only without sexual relations. When Joseph
found out that Mary was pregnant, he decided that he should divorce her without any publicity. Joseph
was probably very confused about the situation. He believed he was marrying a virgin, and now he
discovers that she is pregnant. People would think that Mary had been unfaithful to her spouse
already. Still Joseph could have made a public spectacle of Mary, disgrace her publicly in order to
preserve his pride. However, apparently, Joseph was a better man and decided to divorce Mary quietly.

However, God had other plans for Joseph. In Matthew 1:18-25, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream
reassuring him that Mary’s pregnancy was a gift from God and that Joseph should not be afraid to take
Mary as his wife. Once again, the angel included in its message that the baby’s name was to be “…Jesus,
for he will save his people form their sins” (1:21 ESV). The name ‘Jesus’ is the Greek form of a Hebrew

78