In Matthew, unless one knew otherwise before reading the text, one would assume that the hometown of Jesus\u2019 family was Bethlehem, the first geographical setting mentioned. It is hinted that Jesus may be up to 2 years old, since Herod, after inquiring when the star appeared, gave orders for all males two years old and under to be killed. At the very least, Jesus does not seem to have been a newborn. The family is found in a house.<\/p>\n
They flee to Egypt, and particularly striking is what happens after that. After Herod\u2019s death, they want to return to Judea, and only head for Nazareth in Galilee because they are afraid of Archelaus, Herod\u2019s son who ruled over Judea after his death. Going home for Joseph in this Gospel thus meant returning<\/i> to Bethlehem.<\/p>\n
In Luke, the impression given is very different. The family lives in Nazareth, and only go up to Bethlehem for the census. If we ask how long they stayed there, we have a firm basis to draw a conclusion about that. They go up to Jerusalem to take care of Mary\u2019s purification, as specified in Leviticus 12. They were thus in Bethlehem for little more than a month after Jesus was born. We\u2019re told that once they completed everything required by the Law, after making a very public appearance in the capital of Judea (which it would be hard to imagine them doing in Matthew\u2019s Gospel) they return<\/i> to Nazareth.<\/p>\n
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