Luke and Matthew both tell the story of Jesus’ conception, birth, and infancy, and the stories are aligned where it matters. However, each author has a unique perspective, and the differences are striking. From these differences, we see that the birth of Jesus is a gift to all of us.
Luke’s Unique Perspective
Luke, a companion of the Apostle Paul and a dedicated servant of the early church, provides a unique lens into Jesus’ life. His well-educated background, fluency in Greek, and probable profession as a doctor contribute to a narrative marked by a sharp mind and a compassionate disposition.
Notably, Luke’s account highlights God’s choice to reveal the good news to society’s undervalued shepherds.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:8-10 (NIV)
God, in his infinite wisdom, picked someone society didn’t value to first to hear the good news about Jesus. God loves the lowly, and the message to the shepherds was that Jesus was here as a savior to all.
Matthew’s Unique Perspective
Before becoming one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, Matthew worked as a tax collector outside Capernaum. Jewish tax collectors like Matthew were despised and ostracized in Jewish society. A savvy businessman, Matthew knew how to read and write, was quite proficient at numbers, and likely lived far above the level of many others in the region. When Jesus approached and said to him, “Follow me” (Matt. 9:9), Matthew’s response was immediate, decisive, and sacrificial (Luke 5:28).
Matthew brings a distinctly Jewish perspective to the Gospel.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV)
He frequently points out how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about a messiah, including in the birth narrative. He stresses that Jesus was the promised messiah who had come to redeem all humankind.
—
Go deeper with Jesus & learn more about the context for Christmas.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE E-BOOK “WHO’S WHO IN THE NATIVITY STORY” | DOWNLOAD NOW
CHECK OUT THE PODCAST
This Christmas season, I’ll be sharing more about the context of Christmas and diving into the stories of many of the people who were important to his story. Each episode is a chance for you to grow deeper in your faith as you fix your eyes on Jesus.
