When Was Jesus Born? You probably know we celebrate Christmas on December 25.
But the Bible does not tell us the date of Jesus’ birth. The Bible does tell us some important things. Matthew and Luke write about Jesus’ family line, Bethlehem, King Herod, and the story of His birth.
The way the Gospel writers describe His birth shows that we do not need to know the date – we need to know the One who was born.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet had said (Matthew 2:5).
He was wrapped in cloth and laid in a manger, because there was “no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
And angels announced His birth, shepherds traveled to find Him, and the coming of the promised Savior was foreshadowed (Luke 2:8-20).
So what do we know about the date? How do the Gospels answer the question of Jesus’ birth?
When Was Jesus Born? According to the Bible
The answer to the question of Jesus’ birth date begins with an important fact: the Bible never directly states when He was born.
Matthew says Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the time when Herod was king (Matthew 2:1). Luke also says Jesus was born in Bethlehem when Quirinius was governor of Syria (Luke 2:2).
Those details are enough to identify the time as around the reign of Herod and around the census.
Those details do not tell us His exact date of birth, however.
Each Gospel writer had a different focus. They wanted us to know who Jesus was, and why He had come.
And they describe His arrival with references to His real context in human history.
For example, Luke mentions the census of the Roman governor Quirinius.
His family traveled to Bethlehem from Nazareth before Jesus was born (Luke 2:4-6), and then after His birth they returned home (Luke 2:39).
Meanwhile, the angel announced that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem, who would be Christ, the Lord (Luke 2:11). That’s the most significant thing about His birth.
Did Jesus Born on December 25?
You’re probably aware that December 25 is the traditional date of Christmas Day. But Scripture never says that Jesus was born on December 25.
It is just the date that Christians have chosen to commemorate His birthday.
It’s been this way for nearly 2,000 years – but it has nothing to do with biblical instruction.
Luke’s mention of shepherds in the fields at night (Luke 2:8) has led some people to speculate that He might have been born in a different season of the year.
But we simply don’t have enough information in the Bible to determine His actual birth month.
The Bible’s honest answer is that December 25 was the traditional date that Christ was born, not a biblically established date.
What Year Was Jesus Born?
Again, the Bible does not tell us the exact year of Jesus’ birth, but it does give us clues.
He was born “in the days of Herod the king” (Matthew 2:1) and it’s that detail that helps us estimate when He was born, so we have a pretty good idea of when that was.
Many scholars and historians think Jesus was born around 4 BC, 5 BC, or 6 BC. The AD and CE system was not used at that time, but we use these dates today to count the years.
Still, the scholars won’t agree on the exact year.
Matthew says Herod ordered the death of all boys who were two years old or younger (Matthew 2:16). He made this order based on what the wise men had told him.
And Matthew also records that after Herod died, Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23).
Those details make Herod’s death date, and therefore Jesus’ birth date, the focal point when historians try to determine a year.
But the truth is that we just don’t have enough information yet to know.
Why Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?
The Gospel writers tell us Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1), and it forms a major part of the Old Testament prophecy about the coming King.
Micah, for instance, foretold that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
Matthew connects Jesus’ birth to this prophecy. He says, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king…” (Matthew 2:1).
When Mary and Joseph went there, we learn that Jesus was born “because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
That detail is more significant than it seems, too: it explains the choice of the manger for the infant’s bed.
The reason, however, goes back again to the Old Testament: Jesus was the King who was promised to Israel, born in the place of promise.
What Events Follow Jesus’ Birth?
The Bible records several exciting and unusual events that follow the birth of Jesus Christ.
Luke mentions that angels appeared to shepherds and announced that a Savior had been born in the city of David (Luke 2:10-11).
The shepherds went at once to Bethlehem. They told others what the angels had said and found the baby Jesus lying in a manger (Luke 2:15–20).
Matthew describes another aspect of the coming of Christ. Wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem seeking the “King of the Jews,” who had been born (Matthew 2:1-2).
They found the young Jesus and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).
Luke and Matthew share different parts of the story. But both show that people were amazed and joyful when Jesus was born.
Later, the writers of the New Testament explained why Jesus came to earth: “The Word became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14).
The next verse explains why He came. “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law” (Galatians 4:4–5).
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
When Was Jesus Born?
The Bible never states an exact day, month, or year of Jesus’ birth.
Matthew says Jesus was born in Bethlehem when Herod was king (Matthew 2:1). Luke says His birth happened during a time when people were being registered (Luke 2:1–7).
Many Bible scholars believe Jesus was born a few years before AD 1. So, He was born about the same number of years before AD 1 as He would have been after it.
Was Jesus Born on December 25?
The Bible never mentions that Jesus was born on December 25.
Christians began celebrating His birth on this date many centuries after He was born.
Luke says that shepherds were outside with their sheep at night (Luke 2:8). Because of this, some people think Jesus may have been born at another time of the year.
But that is not enough evidence to determine the specific month.
The Bible does not give us the exact date when Jesus was born. December 25 is a traditional day used to celebrate His birth.
Where Was Jesus Born?
Matthew says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea (Matthew 2:1). Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph went from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Mary gave birth to Jesus (Luke 2:3–7).
Both writers say that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Matthew also connects His birth there with an Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah (Matthew 2:5–6).
What Year Was Jesus Born?
The Bible does not tell us the exact year Jesus was born. But Matthew says Jesus was born when Herod the Great was king.
Many scholars think Jesus was born around 4 or 5 BC. The calendar we use today was made many years later.
That puts His age at our current point in history as … ahem. Still, there’s no consensus among experts as to the exact year.
Conclusion
The Bible tells us where Jesus was born and when, but not His exact birthday.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem when Herod was king, and many historians believe He was born a few years before AD 1.
The Bible focuses on what matters most: the baby born in Bethlehem was our Savior and our hope.
Jesus’ birth led to salvation in the lives of those He knew and loved. What part of Jesus’ birth touches you most? Let us know in the comments.
