Early Events
I call these the “Early Events,” but they are also referred to as the Infancy Narratives.
There are similarities and differences between Matthew and Luke. Both groups are significant.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7iX03Tr8qU
Similarities
- Mary and Joseph are parents who are betrothed (M 1:18; L 1:27,34)
- Joseph is of Davidic descent (M 1:16; L 1:27,32; 2:4)
- There is an angelic announcement of the child’s birth (M 1:20-23; L 1:30-35)
- Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit (M 1:18,20,23,25; L 1:34)
- Angel says the child is to be named Jesus (M 1:21, L 1:31)
- Angel says Jesus will be “Savior” (M 1:21; L 2:11)
- Jesus is born after parents live together (M 1:24-25; L 2:5-6)
- Jesus is born in Bethlehem (M 2:1; L 2:4-6)
- Birth is related to the time period of Herod the Great (M 2:1; L 1:5)
- Jesus grows up in Nazareth (M 2:23; L 2:39)
Differences
Two types of differences:
- Content
- Theological Emphasis
Content Differences
| Matthew | Luke |
|---|---|
| Title of gospel (M 1:1) | Preface to Gospel (L 1:1-4) |
| Focus on Joseph | Focus on Mary |
| Begins with Genealogy | Begins with backstory of John the Baptist |
| Genealogy through David’s son Solomon | Genealogy through David’s son Nathan |
| Joseph’s father is Jacob | Joseph’s father is Heli |
| Angel visits Joseph | Angel visits Mary |
| No mention of living in Nazareth before Bethlehem | Had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem because of census |
| Born and named right away (M 1:25) | Born but named at circumcision 8 days later (L 2:21) |
| Magi led by star come from east and talk to Herod | Angels sing to shepherds |
| Magi visit Jesus in a house | Shepherds visit Jesus in a manger |
| Magi return by a different way to avoid Herod | Shepherds return glorifying and praising God |
| Herod kills male children in Bethlehem | |
| Jesus and family flee to Egypt | Jesus and family go to the temple for circumcision |
| Jesus and family return from Egypt and go to Nazareth | Jesus and family return to Nazareth after circumcision |
| Jesus and family visit the temple again when he is 12 |
Theological Differences
| Matthew | Luke | |
|---|---|---|
| Hebrew Scriptures Fulfilled | Driving Force | Holy Spirit is at work |
| Son of David/Abraham - Legal son | Jesus’s Heritage | Son of God, son of Mary by the Holy Spirit |
| Focus on Kingship | Names and titles | Various titles/roles |
| Men: David, Joseph, Magi, Herod, scribes | Characters Emphasized | Women: Mary, Elizabeth, Anna; Also poor and old |
| obstacles, conflict, fear, murder, politics | Themes | glory, praise, joy, poverty, humility, grace |
| Moses, Joseph (dreams) | OT Parallels | Birth of Samson (Judge); Birth of Samuel (Prophet) |
Why the differences?
Matthew
- Jewish
- Direct disciple of Jesus
- Focused on traditional Moses/Messiah relations and political implications
- Lot’s of ties to Old Testament themes
Luke
- Probably Syrian
- Companion of Paul, who was not a direct disciple of Jesus
- Had to rely more on third party sources
- Seems to have been writing for a benefactor (Theophilus)
- Focused on gentiles and under-privileged people groups (women, poor, old)