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(2) THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.
(a) The Time and Period.
Matt. 2: 1, "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of
Herod the king."
Luke 2: 1, 2, "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from
Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed (and this taxing was first
made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria)."
Matthew's circumference is "Judæa" and its centre Herod; Luke's circumference is
"all the world" and its centre Cæasar Augustus.
(b) The Worshippers.
Matt. 2: 1, "There came wise men from the east to Jerusalem."
Luke 2: 8, 15, "There were in the same country shepherds . . . . . Let us go now 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 show.
(c) The Purpose of the Nativity.
Matt. 2: 2, 5, 6, "Where is He that is born king of the Jews . . . . . they said . . . . . In
Bethlehem of Judæa."
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, Israel is not
mentioned first, but strange as it may seem, he said, "A light to lighten the Gentiles, and
the glory of Thy people Israel" (Luke 2: 32).
(3) THE LORD'S OPENING MINISTRY.
(a) The Context.
Matt. 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."