1) When did Mary visit Elizabeth?

Question

When did Mary visit Elizabeth?

Answer

March 30, 5 BC Julian Calendar.

Discussion

Gabriel visited Mary on March 25, 5 BC.

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; (Luke 1: 39)

Luke used word “days”, neither “week(s)” nor “month(s)”. This implied that Mary left Nazareth, traveled, and arrived at Hebron, Elisabeth home less than 1 week (< 7 days). Thus, Mary arrived at Elizabeth home on, at most, March 30, 5 BC.

1. March 25
2. March 26
3. March 27
4. March 28
5. March 29
6. March 30

Other consideration includes:

1. Mary needed to make a preparation for the long journey. So, she departed on the next day (March 26).
2. Distance from Nazareth to Hebron is 187 km with estimated travel time 39-43 hours on foot. Assuming there is similarity between ancient modern routes, Mary took similar distance.¹
3. She went through dangerous journey (robber, beast, etc), indicating she went in a group and only walked in daylight.
4. She took rests along journey. She needed eating, praying, taking a bath, etc.

Considering factors above, she possibly walked about 9 hours a day and arrived at Hebron on March 30, 5 BC.

 

Time in Julian Calendar	Event	Ref
30th of March 5 BC	Mary arrived at Elizabeth house.	Luke 1: 39
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	The wise men returned to their respective kingdoms. Fled to Egypt	Matthew 2:13-15
February – April 4 BC	Dwelt in Egypt	Matthew 2:13-15
April 4 BC	Herod death Joseph, Mary, and Jesus left Egypt and went to Palestine.	Luke 2:39; Matthew 2: 15, 19-23

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Bibliography

¹https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Nazareth,+Israel/Hebron/@32.1152644,34.5507591,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x151c4e7cf16c0fff:0xd2385b30c1275dd6!2m2!1d35.303546!2d32.699635!1m5!1m1!1s0x1502e427ecc463fb:0xbe464d5c6a2f134c!2m2!1d35.099826!2d31.532569!3e2?hl=en ; access June 16, 2015.

Nazareth-Hebron

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