2) Did Jesus, Mary, and Joseph go to Egypt or Nazareth?

Question

Did Jesus, Mary, and Joseph go to Egypt or Nazareth?

Answer

They went to Egypt first and then, 2-3 months later, they went to Nazareth from Egypt.

Discussion

Luke recounted that Joseph family performed all things according to the injunction of the Lord before went to Nazareth.

και ως ετελεσαν απαντα τα κατα τον νομον κυριου υπεστρεψαν εις την γαλιλαιαν εις την πολιν αυτων ναζαρετ

And when they had performed all things according to the injunction of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (Luke 2: 39)

The injunction of the Lord included:

1. Circumcision

   Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. (Leviticus 12: 2-4)

2. Purification

   Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. (Leviticus 12: 2-4)

3. Escape to Egypt and back to Palestine after Herod death

   And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. (Matthew 2:13-15)

Time in Julian Calendar	Event	Ref
25th of December 5 BC	Jesus was born in a cave in outer skirt of Bethlehem.	See “Train of Thought about Christmas December 25“
A day between 26th and 30th of December 5 BCE	Joseph, Mary, and Jesus moved to a house in Bethlehem City.	Matthew 2: 11
31st of December 4 BC	Preparation for Jesus circumcision (religious and social event) in Bethlehem.	Considering social setting of Luke 2: 21
1st of January 4 BC	Jesus circumcision in Bethlehem	Luke 2: 21
2nd of February 4 BC	Purification of Mary in Jerusalem	Luke 2: 22
February and/ or March 4 BC	Fled to and dwelt in Egypt	Matthew 2:13-15
April 4 BC	Herod death, Mary family went to Nazareth	Luke 2:39; Matthew 2: 15, 19-23

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