Of Galilee and Judea Where the Child Was Raised and the Word Was Made Known

In the Days of Herod the King

And it came to pass in those days, when Herod reigned over Judea, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child (Luke 2:1–5).

And so it was that Bethlehem of Judea became the place appointed for the birth of Jesus the Christ, as it was written by the prophet:
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2).

And there in a lowly manger, because there was no room in the inn, the Savior was born, and the angels did proclaim:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

The Flight and the Return

But when Herod sought the young child’s life, an angel of the Lord warned Joseph in a dream. And he took the child and His mother by night and fled into Egypt, and they dwelt there until the death of Herod (Matthew 2:13–15).

Afterward, they returned not to Judea, but to Galilee, for Archelaus reigned in his father’s stead. And they came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matthew 2:23).

Galilee, the Land of Preparation

And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him (Luke 2:40). In Nazareth of Galilee, He learned obedience and dwelt among men as a carpenter’s son.

And Galilee became a land of great light, as it is written:
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:2).

There He walked by the Sea of Galilee and called His disciples—fishers of men. There He taught in the synagogues, healed the sick, cast out devils, and proclaimed the kingdom of heaven.

Judea, the Land of Fulfillment

Yet it was in Judea that the Lamb of God was brought forth to be slain. He came to Jerusalem riding on a colt, as the prophet had spoken. And though He was despised and rejected of men, He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

There in Jerusalem, He was crucified, buried, and on the third day rose again, fulfilling the Scriptures.

Thus were Galilee and Judea appointed by God as the cradle and crown of redemption:

In Bethlehem, He was born according to promise.
In Nazareth, He grew in grace and truth.
In Galilee, He called and taught.
In Jerusalem, He died and rose again.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, who visited His people and redeemed them, as He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began (Luke 1:70).