Pregnancy
Which two books of the Bible give us a clear written account about the infancy of Jesus?
What are Matthew and Luke? Matthew includes the full genealogy of Jesus, while Luke goes into some of the specifics surrounding the pregnancy of Jesus. Both help us see a fuller picture of the birth of Christ.
What was Jesus wrapped in when he was born?
Luke 2
What are swaddling clothes? - When a Jewish child was born, it was usual for them to be washed in water, rubbed in salt and wrapped in swaddling clothes, which are bands or blankets that confined the limbs closely. (Ezek 16:4)
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. -Matthew 2 Gold symbolizes his royalty, frankincense points to their worship of Jesus as a deity, and myrrh is a symbol of death and suffering.
What does the name Emmanuel mean?
Matthew 1
What is God is with us? Immanuel (OT) or Emmanuel (NT) means "God with us."
What is the name of Jesus' cousin, born six months before him?
Luke 1
Who is John? - John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, by six months.
To what country did he family escape to after they were warned of the death threat to Jesus?
Matthew 2
What is Egypt? - They departed immediately under the cover of darkness.
How did the wise men know that the King of the Jews had been born?
Matthew 2
What is they saw a star in the East? - Much has been written about the star, but all we can really say for sure is there was a luminous object which appeared for a special purpose.
What is the name of the angel who appeared to Mary?
Luke 1
Who is Gabriel? - Gabriel, who also announced the birth of John the Baptist.
What did Joseph want to do when he discovered Mary was pregnant?
Matthew 1
What is quietly divorce her? - the option of divorce was available under the Law of Moses, Deut 24:1. Normally, the circumstances would have to be made public and require witnesses to testify, hence Joseph wanted to do it "privately."
In what city was Jesus brought up as a child? Matthew 2
What is Nazareth? - and so the prophecy that he shall be called a Nazarene was fulfilled.
What was the occupation/job title of the wise men?
Matthew 2
We don't know! The title "magi" just means "wise men." Some have speculated they were astrologers or kings.
Which Old Testament Prophet foretold that Jesus would be born of a virgin?
Matthew 1
Who is Isaiah? Isaiah 7:14 - part of a difficult passage of prophecy written some 700 years before the birth of Jesus!
What famous king of Israel was Jesus a descendant of?
Matthew 1
What is king David? -Jesus is the King from the line of David that is promised to reign forever! (2 Samuel 7:16-17)
How was the family warned that someone wanted to kill Jesus?
Matthew 2
What is in a dream? - The angel only appeared to Joseph in a dream and didn't actually visit them in a physical sense. Also the angel appeared only to Joseph and not to them both.
What approximate age was Jesus when the wise men visited him?
Matthew 2
What is nearly 2 years old? - Jesus could well have been nearly two years old by the time the wise men visited him.
What Old Testament prophet foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem?
Matthew 2
Who is Micah? Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem Ephratah, to distinguish it from another Bethlehem, which was in the tribe of Zebulun.
What sacrifice did Mary and Joseph offer when the days of purification were complete after Jesus' birth?
Luke 2
What are two turtledoves or pigeons? - among the Jews, a mother would remain at home for about 40 days after the birth of a boy and about 80 days for a girl because she was considered unclean. After this she presented him as "holy to the Lord" and offered the sacrifice as according to the law.
How many wise men does the Bible say came to visit Jesus?
Matthew 2
It doesn't say! There is no indication of how many wise men visited Jesus, except that there were at least two because the word 'magi' is plural. We often assume three only based on the three gifts Jesus was given.
What was the name of the old prophetess who saw Jesus in the temple when he was presented to the Lord after his birth?
Luke 2
Who is Anna? - daughter of Phanuel.