Most of us have grown up with the idea of Jesus being born in a stable – a shelter providing a little less protection from the outside world than a barn. Recently, stories are circulating that he was born in cave. Really? A cave? Are you kidding me?
Nope. Not kidding.
So what’s going on? The whole story would fill multiple books, so let’s hit just a few high points.
The writings that eventually became our New Testament were written in Greek. Have you heard of the Roman Empire? They spoke Latin, and the scriptures were being translated into Latin as early as the second century CE (AD for those of us who are old). Around 405 Jerome completed the first complete translation, The Vulgate, which became the official translation for the Catholic Church.
Fast forward several hundred years, In Europe, Latin is the language of the educated (usually the wealthy and church leaders) but not the language of common people. In the late 1300s, John Wycliff translated the scriptures into Middle English. Noted translators in the 16th century include Martin Luther (German, 1522), William Tyndale (English, 1526), Gustav Vasa (Swedish, 1541), and Olivtan (French, 1535).
So what does this have to do with the stable/cave question?
Imagine you are translating a work of literature. You come across a word that translates to “stable” – a place for sheltering animals. What do you and your readers envision? Whatever building you are used to seeing animals living in – that’s what. In our day in America, many people would see something like cages at a zoo. Rural folks might see a barn enclosed on all sides with a loft. Expensive horses are housed in quarters that make some homes look shabby. So, if you’re living in Europe where the landscape is covered in trees and many structures are made of wood, including shelters for animals, your visual of “stable” would be very much like our traditional nativity scene depicts.
And THEN there are archeological discoveries and people who study the culture of different eras. In Israel, long ago and now, there are not a lot of trees. Rocks, however, are abundant. What materials do people use for building? Those that are available. Homes for people and animals are made of rock.
Overall, does it really matter if Jesus was laid in a wooden manger or a stone feeding trough? Yes and no. Details matter. Context matters. BUT what matters the most is what you believe about Jesus and his purpose in coming to Earth. Do you believe he came to restore our relationship with God? Are you willing to follow his teachings, including sharing his story and making disciples?
Note: While I have a basic understanding of how the scriptures came to be what we use today, I used this website on 22 Dec 25 for specific information.
#bgwww26
Wondering, Wandering, and Writing 