Bible Video: Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem to Be Taxed

The Old Testament prophet Micah (Micah 5:2) prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. The challenge was that Mary and Joseph resided in Nazareth nearly 70 miles (111 km) away. It is amazing how God is in the details of our lives and planned everything beforehand so the prophecy would be fulfilled that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. About the time when Jesus was to be born, there was a decree from Caesar Augustus that the world should be taxed.

 

So, according to Jewish custom, which required the Jews to be taxed in their ancestral homelands, Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem when Mary was far along in her pregnancy. This must have been a very uncomfortable journey for her. The Spirit of the Lord must have been with Mary as she made the uncomfortable journey over probably 2 or 3 days.

Ready to challenge yourself with some Bible trivia? Check out our Bible Quizzes.

Previous Video about Jesus' Life

Watch Previous Video
Zacharias names John the Baptist
Zacharias Names John the Baptist

Next Video about Jesus' Life

Watch Next Video
An angel announces the birth of Jesus to the shepherds
An Angel announces the birth of Jesus to the Shepherds

Subscribe: For a Daily Video

Bite-Size Videos About Jesus' Life

Privacy Policy/Terms of Service: We will never sell or give away your email. 

More About this Video:

It is telling that God chose such humble parentage and humble circumstances for His Only Begotten Son to be born in. There was no pomp or circumstance that surrounded his birth, he was born in a manger, with humble parents and shepherds who came to see. From that example, we can learn the importance of humility and our dependence on God. The goal of life is not be become famous and powerful, but to have integrity, to seek to do God’s will, to help others and learn to love them – whether in our families or outside of our families. Watch more videos about the ministry of Jesus .