Back Cover Blurb
- Each Christmas, the birth of Jesus is celebrated through carols, Bible readings and nativity plays. The angelic announcements to Mary and the shepherds, the baby lying in a manger, and the presentation of the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh are among the best-known stories in the Bible. But did they really happen? And were these events predicted by Israel’s prophets, as the Bible claims? Steve Moyise suggests that the clue to answering these questions is to understand how Israel’s Scriptures were being interpreted in Jesus’ day. Was Isaiah thinking of a virgin birth when he uttered his famous prophecy, or is that a later Christian interpretation? Was there a star that led the Magi to Bethlehem or should the account be taken symbolically? These and other questions are fully explored in this illuminating book.
- ‘The accounts of Jesus’ birth in Matthew and Luke raise more questions regarding their historicity and meaning than any others in the Gospels. Since fulfilment is a strong feature of the accounts, Steve Moyise, a specialist in the New Testament’s use of the Old Testament, is more than well suited to discuss these questions. His masterful handling of the texts and sensitive handling of problematic issues result in a book many wall find both insightful and liberating.’
→ James Dunn, Emeritus Professor of Divinity, Durham University
- ‘Bringing to bear his well-known expertise on the New Testament’s use of the Old Testament, Steve Moyise tackles the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke. The result is a clear and accessible guide to how the Jewish Scriptures function in these stories.’
→ Andrew T. Lincoln, Professor of New Testament, University of Gloucestershire
- ‘All who take seriously the birth of Jesus and the details surrounding it will read with pleasure and great interest Steve Moyise’s Was the Birth of Jesus According to Scripture? ... I recommend this superbly researched and clearly written study with enthusiasm.’
→ Craig A. Evans, Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College
- Steve Moyise is Professor of New Testament at the University of Chichester and the author of Paul and Scripture (2010), Jesus and Scripture (2010) and The Later New Testament Writers and Scripture (2012).
Amazon Book Description
- This book focuses on the question that will be of most interest to readers: Was the Birth of Jesus according to Scripture? It sets the scene by outlining the debate between those who think that Matthew and Luke devised their narratives on the basis of specific Old Testament texts and those who think the Gospel narratives have determined the choice and meaning of those texts.
- It helps the reader engage with the material by beginning with the least controversial topics (Jesus was preceded by a forerunner and was of the house of David), then moving on to the importance of particular places in the narrative (Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Egypt, Nazareth) and the historical evidence for associating Jesus with them, before ending with the most controversial topics (virgin birth and slaughter of the innocents).
- Steve Moyise is Visiting Professor of Newman University, Birmingham and author of Was the Birth of Jesus According to Scripture? (2013), Paul and Scripture (2010), Jesus and Scripture (2010) and Evoking Scripture: Seeing the Old Testament in the New (2008).
Contents
Abbreviations – viii
Introduction – 1
- Preceded by a Forerunner – 11
- Son of David – 25
- Bethlehem and Nazareth – 45
- Egypt and Ramah – 61
- Born of a Virgin – 78
- Conclusion – 102
Bibliography – 105
Index of Biblical References – 109
Index of Modern Authors – 117
Book Comment
Text Colour Conventions (see disclaimer)- Blue: Text by me; © Theo Todman, 2025
- Mauve: Text by correspondent(s) or other author(s); © the author(s)