THE INFANCY NARRATIVES & THE INCARNATION
Overview
 The Fundamental Doctrine of the Incarnation – Refer to sheet
 The Infancy narratives refer to Jesus as the incarnation of God, “God
made flesh.”
 2 records of Jesus birth (Infancy Narratives)
o Matthew chapters 1 – 2
o Luke chapters 1 - 2
 Analyze the Infancy Narratives (similarities & differences)
o Similarities
– Joseph is a descendant of David and Jesus is brought up in
Nazareth.
o Differences
– Matthew’s Gospel tells of the visitation of the wise men.
– Luke’s Gospel adds that Mary and Joseph were going to
Bethlehem for the census.
 The Infancy Narratives profess Jesus as the incarnation of God (God
made flesh).
 Matthew’s Intentions: Three Themes
 Matthew presents his genealogy from Abraham to Jesus.
 Jesus is the Messiah – (Matthew 1:1) – “the son of David, the
sons of Abraham.”
–
Throughout Jewish history, the people had expected the Messiah to
descend from David, and David’s hometown was Bethlehem.
 Jesus was accepted by Gentiles, rejected by Jews – The story of
the Magi.
–
–
These were non-Jewish men known for their understanding of astrology.
This story shows that Jesus was accepted by Gentiles as the Messiah
though many Jews rejected him.

Jesus is “the new Moses” – The holy family flees to Egypt, and
then an angel calls them out of Egypt to Israel after the death of
Herod.
–
–
The Israelites were also led out of their bondage in Egypt by Moses.
Jesus was “the new Moses” who fulfilled the Law and was the Messiah
who would lead the people to salvation.
 Luke’s Intentions: The Good News is for Everyone
 Luke presents his genealogy from Jesus back to Adam. Adam,
as the first man, is the father of all people.
 Luke’s Gospel stresses that the Good News is for everyone,
especially those who are poor and downtrodden.
– Luke includes the shepherds in his story, indicating that the poor would be
the first to recognize and respond to Jesus.