Luke 2:1,2, 'And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a

decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  (And

this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria)'.

Matthew's circumference is Judaea, and its centre, Herod.  Luke's

circumference is 'all the world', and its centre, Caesar Augustus.

Matthew 2:1, 'There came wise men from the east to Jerusalem'.

Luke 2:8,15, 'There were in the same country shepherds ... Let us now

go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which

the Lord hath made known unto us'.

Matthew makes no reference to the shepherds; Luke makes no reference to

the wise men.  Each is divinely guided in his selection as the sequel will

Matthew 2:2,5, 'Where is He that is born King of the Jews ... they said

... In Bethlehem of Judaea'.

Luke 2:11, 'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a

Saviour, which is Christ the Lord'.

Here the contrast is most marked.  Matthew says in Bethlehem is born

the King, Luke says in Bethlehem is born a Saviour, each evangelist keeping

strictly to his aim and purpose.

Luke supplements his account of the shepherds' and of the angels'

testimony by the added doxology 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth

peace, good will toward men', whereas Matthew quotes the prophet Micah saying

'that shall rule My people Israel'.  In addition, old Simeon is brought

before us, an Israelite looking for the consolation of Israel, but when he

saw the Infant Christ and took Him in his arms, the Gentile is mentioned

first, strange as it may seem.  He said, 'A light to lighten the Gentiles,

and the glory of Thy people Israel' (Luke 2:32).

The Lord's Opening Ministry

Matthew 4:1, 'Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness

to be tempted of the devil'.

Luke 4:1, 'And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan,

and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness'.

No comment is here necessary, the only reason these passages are quoted

is to show that the next statements are rightly compared together.

Matthew 4:17, 'From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,

Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'.