Early Christian Beliefs About Jesus’ Nativity

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Direct teaching

Listen again to how Isaiah explicitly foretold that He would be born of a virgin; for he spoke this way: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son, and they shall call His name, ‘God with us.’” For things that were incredible and seemed impossible to people, these God predicted by the Spirit of prophecy as events that would happen, so that when they did happen, there would be no disbelief, but faith, because of their prediction. But lest some, not understanding the prophecy now referenced, accuse us of the very things we have accused the poets of, who say that Jupiter approached women through lust, let us try to explain the words. This, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive,” means that a virgin would conceive without intercourse. For if she had been with anyone, she would no longer be a virgin; but the power of God came upon the virgin, overshadowed her, and caused her to conceive while still a virgin. And the angel of God who was sent to the same virgin at that time brought her the good news, saying, “Behold, you shall conceive by the Holy Ghost, and you shall bear a Son, and He will be called the Son of the Highest, and you shall call His name Jesus; for He will save His

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

...n's own words. Matthew also acknowledges the same Jesus Christ, showing His birth as a man from the Virgin, just as God promised David that He would bring forth from his lineage an eternal King, having previously made the same promise to Abraham. He states: "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." Then, to dispel any doubts about Joseph, he says: "But the birth of Christ happened in this way. When His mother was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child of the Holy Ghost." When Joseph considered divorcing Mary because she was pregnant, Matthew tells us about the angel of God appearing to him, saying: "Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Ghost. She will give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. This took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which means God with us." This clearly signifies that the promise made to the forefathers was fulfilled, that the Son of God was born of

Tertullian, Against Praxeas Direct teaching

I will not here largely use the support of the other Gospels, which confirm our belief by the Lord's nativity: it is sufficient to remark that He who had to be born of a virgin is announced in express terms by the angel himself as the Son of God: The Spirit of God shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you;

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

1 [Arabic, p. 7] Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was on this wise: In the time when his mother was given in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, 2 she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Let them rest on the festival of His birth, because on it the unexpected favour was granted to men, that Jesus Christ, the Logos of God, should be born of the Virgin Mary, for the salvation of the world.

Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ Direct teaching

...e sign of Christ’s birth, as Isaiah says: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: look, a virgin will conceive and bear a son." Isaiah 7:14 So then, we find what the sign is that will be spoken against: the conception and the giving birth of the Virgin Mary. About this, these sophists say, "She was a virgin and yet not a virgin; she gave birth and yet did not give birth," as though such language, if it must be spoken at all, would not fit us better than them. For she gave birth, because she brought forth offspring from her own flesh. Yet she did not give birth, since she did not bring Him forth from a husband’s seed. She was a virgin in regard to abstaining from a husband, and yet not a virgin in regard to bearing a child. However, there is not the equal line of reasoning that the heretics claim. In other words, it does not follow that, because she did not give birth in one sense, she who was not a virgin was still a virgin, simply because she became a mother without the fruit of her own womb. But with us there is no double meaning, nothing twisted into two senses. Light is light, and darkness is darkness. Yes is yes, and no, no. Whatever is more than these comes from

Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Direct teaching

... patience not only by words but also by deeds. Therefore He was born a second time as a man, from a virgin, without a father, so that, just as in His first spiritual birth, being born from God alone, He became a holy spirit, so also in His second birth in the flesh, being born from a mother alone, He might become holy flesh. In this way, through Him, the flesh, which had become subject to sin, might be set free from destruction.

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

...acknowledged in the substance of the power put forth by God. The mysteries of His sacred and divine nativity no apostle has learned, no prophet has discovered, no angel has known, and no creature has grasped. They are known to the Son alone, who has known the secrets of the Father. Then, since He was begotten of the Father, He is always in the Father. And I say always in this way, so that I may show that He is not unborn, but born. But He who is before all time must be said to have always been in the Father, for no time can be assigned to Him who is before all time. And He is always in the Father, unless the Father has not always been Father. Only, in a certain sense, the Father also goes before Him, since it is necessary, in some degree, that He should be before He is Father. Because it is essential that He who knows no beginning should go before him who has a beginning. In this way, He is less, since He knows that He is in Him, having an origin because He is born, and being of like nature with the Father in some measure by His nativity. Although He has a beginning in that He is born, since He is born of that Father who alone has no beginning. He, then, when the Father willed i

Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ Direct teaching

It was simply this, that (He was born) of a virgin in the real manner which we have indicated, in order that our regeneration might have virginal purity — spiritually cleansed from all pollutions through Christ, who was Himself a virgin, even in the flesh, in that He was born of a virgin's flesh.

Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ Direct teaching

You say that He was born through a virgin, not of a virgin, and in a womb, not of a womb, because the angel in the dream said to Joseph, That which is born in her (not of her) is of the Holy Ghost.

Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Supporting witness

Therefore He was born a second time as man, of a virgin, without a father, that, as in His first spiritual birth, being born of God alone, He was made a sacred spirit, so in His second and fleshly birth, being born of a mother only, He might become holy flesh, that through Him the flesh, which had become subject to sin, might be freed from destruction.

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Direct teaching

For [it is written], “A virgin shall conceive in her womb, and bring forth a son.” He was then truly born, truly grew up, truly ate and drank, was truly crucified, and died, and rose again.

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

With respect to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, if any one desires, after the prophecy of Micah and after the history recorded in the Gospels by the disciples of Jesus, to have additional evidence from other sources, let him know that, in conformity with the narrative in the Gospel regarding His birth, there is shown at Bethlehem the cave where He was born, and the manger in the cave where He was wrapped in swaddling-clothes.

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

And now, if it shall be deemed necessary to examine the narrative about the Magi, and the appearance of the star at the birth of Jesus, the following is what we have to say, partly in answer to the Greeks, and partly to the Jews.

Gregory Thaumaturgus, Twelve Topics on the Faith Direct teaching

For He was born in Bethlehem according to the flesh, in a manner meet for Deity, the angels of heaven recognising Him as their Lord, and hymning as their God Him who was then wrapped in swaddling-clothes in a manger, and exclaiming, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will among men.

Gregory Thaumaturgus, Twelve Topics on the Faith Direct teaching

If any one affirms that Christ, just like one of the prophets, assumed the perfect man, and refuses to acknowledge that, being begotten in the flesh of the Virgin, He became man and was born in Bethlehem, and was brought up in Nazareth, and advanced in age, and on completing the set number of years (appeared in public and) was baptized in the Jordan, and received this testimony from the Father, This is my beloved Son, Matthew 3:17 even as it is written, let him be anathema.

Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness

23 Luke 2:15 And when the angels departed from them to heaven, the shepherds spoke to one another and said, We will go to Bethlehem and see this word which has been, as 24 the Lord made known unto us.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Direct teaching

and while they were there Mary brought forth the Christ and placed Him in a manger, and here the Magi who came from Arabia found Him.

Matthew 2:1 Direct teaching

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Luke 2:4 Supporting witness

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

Luke 2:16 Supporting witness

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Luke 2:7 Direct teaching

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:12 Direct teaching

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Luke 2:11 Supporting witness

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

...ed that God incarnate was about to come to men. For Emmanuel means God with us. Because when He was born of a virgin, men ought to confess that God was with them, that is, on the earth and in mortal flesh. Therefore David says in the eighty-fourth Psalm, "Truth has sprung out of the earth," because God, in whom truth is found, has taken a body from the earth, so that He might open a way of salvation to those of the earth. In the same way Isaiah also says in Isaiah 63:10, "But they disbelieved, and vexed His Holy Spirit; and He was turned to be their enemy. And He Himself fought against them, and He remembered the days of old, who raised up from the earth a shepherd of the sheep." But who this shepherd was going to be, he declared in another place, saying, "Let the heavens rejoice, and let the clouds put on righteousness; let the earth open, and put forth a Saviour. For I the Lord have begotten Him." But the Saviour is, as we have said before, Jesus. In another place the same prophet also proclaimed, "Behold, to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, whose dominion is upon His shoulders, and His name is called Messenger of great counsel." For He was sent by God the Father for

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

Matthew might certainly have said, “Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise;” but the Holy Ghost, foreseeing the corrupters [of the truth], and guarding by anticipation against their deceit, says by Matthew, “But the birth of Christ was on this wise;” and that He is Emmanuel, lest perchance we might consider Him as a mere man: for “not by the will of the flesh nor by the will of man, but by the will of God was the Word made flesh;” and that we should not imagine that Jesus was one, and Christ another, but should know them to be one and the same.

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

But as the prophets also foretold, it was from a virgin that one was to be born, according to the promised sign. He was to give His name to the event itself, showing that at His birth God was to be with man. Now it seems to me fitting for a Jew to have quoted the prophecy of Isaiah, which says that Immanuel was to be born of a virgin. But Celsus, who claims to know everything, has not done this, either because he did not know it, or because he was unwilling, if he had read it and deliberately passed over it in silence, to provide an argument that might defeat his purpose. And the prophecy says this: "And the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. And he said, Hear now, O house of David; is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel," which means, when interpreted, "God with us." And it is clear to me that Celsus did not quote this prophecy out of deliberate malice, because although he m

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

...of faith when He said, “And this is eternal life, that they should know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent”? If He had not wanted it to be understood that He also is God, why did He add, “And Jesus Christ, whom You have sent,” unless He wanted to be received as God also? For if He had not wanted to be understood as God, He would have added, “And the man Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” But in fact, He did not add this. Nor did Christ present Himself to us as only man. Instead, He joined Himself with God, because He wanted to be understood by this joining to be God also, as He is. Therefore, according to the rule He gave, we must believe in the Lord, the one true God, and consequently in Him whom He has sent, Jesus Christ. As we have said, He certainly would not have joined Himself to the Father if He had not wanted to be understood as God also. For He would have separated Himself from Him if He had not wanted to be understood as God. He would have placed Himself among men only if He had known Himself to be only man. Nor would He have joined Himself with God if He had not known Himself to be God also. But in this matter He is silent about His being man

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

...his, when He said, “And this is life eternal, that they should know You, the only and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent?” If He had not wished that He also should be understood to be God, why did He add, “And Jesus Christ, whom You have sent,” except because He wished to be received as God also? For if He had not wished to be understood to be God, He would have added, “And the man Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” But in fact He neither added this, nor did Christ present Himself to us as man only. Instead, He associated Himself with God, since He wished by this joining to be understood to be God also, as He is. We must therefore believe, according to the rule prescribed, in the Lord, the one true God, and consequently in Him whom He has sent, Jesus Christ. As we have said, He would by no means have linked Himself to the Father if He had not wished to be understood to be God also. For He would have separated Himself from Him if He had not wished to be understood to be God. He would have placed Himself among men only if He had known Himself to be only man. Nor would He have linked Himself with God if He had not known Himself to be God also. But in this case He is sil

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching

...tion was complete, the kingdom of heaven was near, and He resided within those who believed in Him, born as Emmanuel of the Virgin. They confirm this, stating that before Joseph united with Mary, she remained a virgin and was "found with child by the Holy Spirit." The angel Gabriel told her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, the holy one to be born of you will be called the Son of God." The angel told Joseph in a dream, "This happened to fulfill what Isaiah the prophet spoke: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son." The elders interpreted Isaiah's words: "And the Lord said to Ahaz, Ask for yourself a sign from your Lord God from the depths below or the heights above. Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not test the Lord. Then he said, It is not a small thing for you to tire men; how does the Lord tire them? Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and you will call His name Emmanuel. He will eat butter and honey. Before He knows to reject evil, He will choose good; before He knows good or evil, He will not choose evil, so He may select what is good." The Hol

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

...onceive and bear a son," was spoken about Him. For if the one to whom Isaiah referred was not to be born of a virgin, of whom did the Holy Spirit declare, "Behold, the Lord Himself shall give us a sign: behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son?" If He were also to be born from sexual intercourse like all other first-born sons, why did God say He would give a sign not common to all first-born sons? But the true sign, meant to be made trustworthy to humanity—that the first-born of all creation should become incarnate from the Virgin’s womb and be a child—this He anticipated by the Spirit of prophecy and predicted, as I have repeated to you in various ways, so that when it happened, it would be recognized as the work of the power and will of the Creator of all things; just as Eve was made from one of Adam’s ribs, and all living beings were created in the beginning by the word of God. But you dare to distort the interpretations given by your elders who were with Ptolemy, king of Egypt, since you claim that Scripture says, "Behold, the young woman shall conceive," as if great events were meant to occur because a woman conceives through sexual intercourse: which indeed all you

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

and these declare that the Lord was born at night, that so it might be before the morning star, as is evident both from the star especially, and from the testimony of the angel, who at night announced to the shepherds that Christ had at that moment been born, and again from the place of the birth, for it is towards night that persons arrive at the (eastern) inn.

Gregory Thaumaturgus, Twelve Topics on the Faith Supporting witness

How could one say that Christ was born of the seed of man by the Virgin, when the holy Gospel and the angel, in proclaiming the good tidings, testify of Mary the Virgin that she said, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Matthew 1:23 Direct teaching

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Isaiah 7:14 Direct teaching

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Luke 1:35 Direct teaching

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Methodius, Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Supporting witness

...lainly proclaiming to the people, stirring them, as it were, to the knowledge of this extraordinary nativity, and saying, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord." Exodus 31:19. O wondrous circumstance! O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Romans 11:33. Indeed, it was fitting that the Lord of the law and the prophets should do all things in agreement with His own law, not making the law void but fulfilling it, and rather joining to the fulfillment of the law the beginning of His grace. Therefore the mother, though superior to the law, submits to the law. And she, the holy and undefiled one, keeps that time of forty days appointed for the unclean. And He who makes us free from the law became subject to the law; and for Him who has sanctified us, a pair of clean birds is offered, in testimony of those who approach clean and blameless. Luke 11:24. Now Isaiah is our witness that that childbirth was polluted by nothing, and stood in no need of expiatory victims. He clearly proclaims to the whole earth under the sun, "Before she travailed," he says, "she brought forth; before her pains came, she escaped, and brought forth a man-ch

Methodius, Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Supporting witness

For He who said, "Honor your father and your mother," Exodus 20:12, would certainly have kept untouched that grace, and His own decree toward her who served Him in that birth to which He willingly stooped. And He would have glorified with divine honor her whom He Himself recorded as mother, since He was without a father just as she was without a husband. These things must be so. For the hymns we offer to you, O most holy and wonderful dwelling place of God, are not useless or ornamental words. Nor is your spiritual praise mere worldly trifling, or the outcry of false flattery, O you who are praised by God. You were nursed by God. He who by birth gives mortals their beginning of existence has done this. These things are of plain and evident truth. But time would fail us, and even the ages and the generations that follow, to give you the greeting that is fitting for you as the mother of the Eternal King, 1 Timothy 1:17, just as the glorious prophet says somewhere, teaching us how beyond understanding you are: "How great is the house of God, and how large is the place of His possession! Great, and without end, high and immeasurable." For truly, truly, this prophetic oracle, and this m

Methodius, Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Supporting witness

But the womb of this virgin, without being opened before, or being impregnated with seed, gave birth to an offspring that transcended nature, while at the same time it was cognate to it, and that without detriment to the indivisible unity, so that the miracle was the more stupendous, the prerogative of virginity likewise remaining intact.

Methodius, Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Supporting witness

The must holy virgin mother, therefore, escaped entirely the manner of women even before she brought forth: doubtless, in order that the Holy Spirit, betrothing her unto Himself, and sanctifying her, she might conceive without intercourse with man.

Tertullian, On the Veiling of Virgins Supporting witness

Whereas, if He was born of a virgin— albeit withal betrothed, yet intact — acknowledge that even a virgin, even an intact one, is called a woman.