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Lk 2:7 - And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Gk - kataluma). NASU
Mk 14:14 - and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is My guest room (Gk - kataluma) in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"' NASB
I have included the above two passages of scripture that use the same Greek word "kataluma". In the Luke passage it is interpreted "inn" and in the Mark passage it is interpreted "guest room". I believe the best translation would be "guest room" and if I am correct then there wasn't any "heartless innkeeper". So how did we get so far off the track? Kenneth E. Bailey in his book, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, says, "an anonymous Christian wrote an expanded account of the birth of Jesus … and is called The Protoevangelium of James. This book is said to have been written 200 years after the birth of Jesus and is filled with imaginative details surrounding His birth. Much of the incorrect theology of the birth of Jesus and surrounding events has come from this non-canonical work.
In Luke 2:4 - Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,… All Joseph had to do was tell people of his lineage and that he was a descendant of King David and he and Mary would have been immediately welcomed into any person's home in Bethlehem, the city of King David. King David was and is a hero of theirs and to be able to say that one of his relatives is staying in your house would be considered a great honor. Another point is Joseph had been in Bethlehem days before Jesus was born. It didn't happen like the Christmas story when they arrive at night, find no room at the inn and immediately Mary gives birth to Jesus in a barn aka stable. Luke 2:6 says, "While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth". Who is the "they"? The "they" is Joseph and Mary. Where is "there"? The "there" in the above passage is Bethlehem. The culture that could be found in those days would be screaming "stay with us, stay with us". Joseph is a descendant of King David and Mary is pregnant. They would be welcomed in any home because of their ancestors and I believe they were. Houses in this day had a "guest room". The house they went to had a "guest room" and it was taken by someone but that doesn't mean they couldn't stay in the house. Mr. Bailey's book goes on to draw a layout of what a typical first century house would have looked like and how it wasn't uncommon for a house to have a place for their animals stay in as well (pg.29).
It wasn't uncommon for a house to be built so that at one end the livestock could be brought in and kept safe at night from theft or attacks from other wild animals. In the daylight they would be untied and taken outside.
Also, remember that Jesus' birth record we have been discussing is also recorded by Luke. The same man would use the same word if he were referencing a similar place. The Good Samaritan story found in Luke 10:34 - "…and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn,…" (Gk - pandocheion) and took care of him. The Good Samaritan brought the victim to an "inn" but Luke uses a different Greek word for this "inn". He uses the Greek word - "pandocheion". He doesn't use the Greek word "kataluma" that he used in referencing Jesus' birth place, but he uses "pandocheion" for a lodging place. My point is if there were no rooms in the lodging place "pandocheion" with the heartless innkeeper for Jesus to be born in then why didn't Luke use that word?
I am hoping you will see this Pump Up as a tool that says you are never too old to learn something new. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV I hope you will continue to "study" God's Word and "rightly divide the word of truth". Think About These: Truth is not always popular, but it is always right. To hear truth and not accept it doesn't nullify it. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word
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Luke 2:15 -16 - When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us. So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger." NASU
I send this Pump Up out every year at this time for all my new subscribers. I have made some updates to it this year. May you have a very Merry Christmas.
What some may not know is the meaning of Bethlehem. It means "house of bread." Jesus was the Bread of Life or the Bread of God that came from the "house of bread" to give spiritual life to the world. John 6:33 - "For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." John 6:35 - Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:41 - So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” John 6:48 - "I am the bread of life." John 6:51 - "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” Jesus was and is the Bread of Life. If you are spiritually hungry Jesus is the One who can take away all of your hunger pains. If you have been wondering "What is my purpose?" Then look to Jesus for your answers.
The sheep were offered on the altar were special as they were sheep without a blemish. When John the Baptist saw Jesus he said this about Him. John 1:29 - The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John saw Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and this Lamb was born in Bethlehem where a lot of other lambs were born and would sacrifice their blood. But only the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus, could totally atone for the sins of mankind. I hope and pray you have allowed the blood of Jesus to wash away your sins.
What greater gift could anyone receive? Truly, Jesus is the Gift that keeps on giving. Think About These: Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and receive without forgetting. The Christmas season is only as meaningful as we make it. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word |
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