Star of Bethlehem

The traditional account of the Star of Bethlehem has puzzled historians and astronomers for 2,000 years. Opinion remains divided as to whether accounts of the star are based on an actual astronomical phenomenon or instead represent a fiction intended to situate the birth of Jesus within the context of prophecy. The first appearance of the star in literature occurs in the Gospel of Matthew as it guides the Magi (or “wise men”) from the East to Jerusalem. Upon arriving, they are informed of the prophecy in Micah 5:2–4 that a Jewish Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. They journey to the birthplace and worship the newborn Jesus of Nazareth as “King of the Jews.” The early Christian writer Luke, however, does not mention the star in his nativity account, leading some to call the portent legend. Many nonetheless accept Matthew's text as a reliable account of historical events, and countless scholars have tried through the years to identify what stellar phenomenon motivated the trek of the Magi. Exactly what event inspired Matthew's account may never be known with certainty.

within generations of Matthew's testimony, many exaggerations arose. Ignatius's Epistle to the Ephesians, for example, claimed the star exceeded all others, even the sun and moon. This counters the idea that King Herod and his court had no knowledge of the star prior to the Magi's arrival. In an effort to sort true events from the fantastic and identify the star, modern scholars study history and Matthew's text alongside ancient astrology and astronomical records. It is hoped that this method, paired with advances in technology and astronomy, will allow researchers to establish which theories fit the existing data most closely.

The Star of Bethlehem, if successfully identified, could help elucidate a more exact time for Jesus's birth. Current scholarly consensus restricts this event in a 10-year time frame, between 12 BCE and 2 BCE, with many considering the 5-year frame of 9 BCE to 4 BCE highly probable. Reaching a more specific date for Jesus's birth helps scholars identify dates of other significant biblical events, including Herod's death, Jesus's crucifixion, and the conversion of the early Christian missionary Paul.

Some, as previously noted, relegate the Star of Bethlehem to the realm of fantasy; others elevate the occurrence over the natural, claiming that only a miraculous event can suffice. In between these views range many diverse theories. Common suggestions include simple explanations, such as the planet Venus or a comet.

The planet Venus, however, was well known and recorded as early as the Assyrian Venus Tablet, circa 1700 BCEhardly a unique astral portent that might inspire a voyage to bring tribute. Likewise, comet theories usually receive little credit from scholars. Unlike short-lived meteors, comets provide a lengthy display. Most ancient historical writings, however, attributed comets to be signs of disaster. An appearance of Halley's comet in 12 BCE, for example, was recorded by the Romans, who applied it to the death of statesman-general Marcus Agrippa. Some nonetheless propose the comet to be Bethlehem's star, suggesting a date of 12 BCE for Jesus's birth.

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