From Nazareth to Bethlehem
Surely you know the biblical story about the pregnant Mary and Joseph, who had to leave the city of Nazareth for a census in Joseph's hometown Bethlehem. But what is the actual distance on this route?
A census was held in Bethlehem
- You are certainly familiar with the Christmas story about poor carpenter Joseph and his heavily pregnant wife Maria. the story begins with the reigning Emperor Augustus ordering a census.
- It was customary to register in the tax lists in the city from which the male head of the family - Joseph - came from. For this reason, Joseph, who had settled in Nazareth but actually came from Bethlehem, set off for his place of birth with his fiancée Maria.
- According to the Christmas story, the city is so overcrowded because of the census and the couple is so poor that there is no longer a place to sleep and they therefore settle in a stable, where soon afterwards Jesus was born will.
The distance was five days' journeys
- Depending on the chosen route, it is about 140 to 160 kilometers from Nazareth to Bethlehem, usually 150 kilometers in connection with the Christmas story. Today, you can easily cover this distance in less than three hours by car.
- At the time of the census, however, you had to walk the way for better or worse and you could only use a donkey to carry the load. A distance of 150 kilometers corresponds to about five day trips on foot.
- This means that the couple walked around 30 kilometers with their luggage every day and of course you have to keep in mind that Maria is this distance When she was heavily pregnant, the journey was correspondingly exhausting for her, despite taking a donkey with her, on which she was able to rest for a while have to be.
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