Question
When did Mary leave Elizabeth’s home?
Answer
Mary arrived at Elizabeth home on March 30, 5 BC Julian Calendar.
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. (Luke 1:56)
According to Luke 1: 56, Mary abode with her about 3 months. Word “about” implies that 3 is a round number.
March 30 + ≈3 months = ≈June 30
Then, Mary left Elizabeth on about June 30, 5 BC after John’s birth. She arrived at Nazareth on first week of July 5 BC.
≈June 30 + 6 days = ≈ July 6 (first week of July 5 BC)
Chronology
| Time in Julian Calendar | Event | Ref |
| 30th of March 5 BC | Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s home. | Luke 1: 39 |
| 30th of June 5 BC | Mary left Elizabeth’s home. | Luke 1: 56 |
| First week of July 5 BC | Mary arrived at her home in Nazareth. | Calculation |
| A day between 1st and 24th of December 5 BC | Joseph and Mary, which have been married, arrived at Bethlehem. | See “Were Joseph and Mary married or engaged when they arrived at Betlehem?“ |
| 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 |
| 6/7th of January 4 BC | The wise men arrived at Bethlehem. | See “When did the wise men come to Jesus“ |
| 2nd of February 4 BC | Purification of Mary in Jerusalem | Luke 2: 22 |
| February 4 BC | Matthew 2:13-15 | |
| February – April 4 BC | Dwelt in Egypt | Matthew 2:13-15 |
| April 4 BC |
|
Luke 2:39; Matthew 2: 15, 19-23 |
Version
Christmas on December 25 
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