The Christ in Prophecy Journal

When Was Jesus Born?

Miracle Baby

According to Luke 1:24-26, Mary conceived Jesus in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy with John the Baptist. This means that Jesus was born 15 months after the angel Gabriel appeared to Elizabeth’s husband, Zacharias, and informed him that his wife would bear a child.

According to Luke 1:5, Zacharias was a priest of the division of Abijah. Luke 1:8 says that Gabriel appeared to Zacharias while he was serving as a priest in the Temple.

We know from the Talmud and other sources that the division of Abijah served as priests during the second half of the fourth month of the Jewish religious calendar — which would have put it in late June (the Jewish religious calendar begins in March with Passover).

Fifteen months later would place the birth of Jesus in the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. That would be in the fall of the year, in either late September or early October. His conception, not His birth, would have occurred in December of the previous year.

The seventh month of the Jewish calendar is the month of the Feast of Tabernacles. John 1:14, speaking of Jesus as the Word, says: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” The word “dwelt” that is used here is the Greek word “skenoo” which literally means “to tabernacle”!

So, when God came to earth to tabernacle among Men it appears that He timed His arrival in the Bethlehem manger to coincide with the Feast of Tabernacles. That was only appropriate, for the Feast of Tabernacles is the most joyous of all the Jewish feasts. It is, in fact, their feast of thanksgiving.

The total meaning of that feast will not be fulfilled until the Lord returns again to tabernacle among Men for a thousand years while He reigns over the earth from Mt. Zion in Jerusalem.

Isn’t the Word of God marvelous?

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Dr. David Reagan

Dr. David Reagan is the Founder and Evangelist Emeritus of Lamb & Lion Ministries. He is a life-long Bible student, teacher, and preacher and he led over 45 pilgrimages to Israel. Dr. Reagan was the host of the radio then television program Christ in Prophecy for nearly 40 years.

3 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • I agree that the most important fact is that Jesus was born, died, and rose again and that ALL that believe in Him will have everlasting life. With that said, I believe Dr. Reagan is erroneous in his timeline. In 1 Chron 24 we learn that there were 24 courses of the Levitical priesthood and that Zacharias was of the course of Abijah. Dr. Reagan states that he served at Tabernacles – this is true. But the course of Abijah also served at passover (6 months later) Each course served twice a year (not once) and then ALL priest served when all Jewish men had to be present – Tabernacles, Passover & Pentecost. So the question is, was Jesus born at Tabernacles or six months later – Passover? The bible calls Jesus "Our passover lamb" over 40 times. Note also, the shepherds were tending their flocks at Jesus' birth (springtime) They don't do that during the fall (Tabernacles) Something to consider.

  • Your first sentence is all that matters. The rest will be settled after we begin our eternal state lives. Then the REAL education begins. No matter how much anyone THINKS they know, they DON'T know.

  • I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF JESUS WANTED US TO KNOW WHEN HIS BIRTH WAS WOULD HE NOT HAVE SPOKE OF IT,JESUS SPOKE MORE OF HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION.SO WHAT ARE WE CELEBRETAING IF IS ISN'T JESUS BIRTHDAY.WHY DO WE KEEP SAYING IT IS HIS BIRTH WHEN NO ONE KNOWS IT.I HAVE COME TO WHAT IS IT WE ARE CELEBRATING THESE DAYS AND WHY.ANYONE OUT THERE CAN HELP ME ON THIS?

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