Mary in her late teens, strong, healthy peasant stock; even pregnant and near delivery she could have managed walking it. 24 Tyre and Sidon. However, severe weather in the area of Nazareth and Bethlehem is rare. Given the antipathy between Jews and Samaritans, Joseph and Mary likely skirted the area and went around the longer way. However, since we know that the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was 70-80 miles and that Mary was pregnant (Luke 2:5), it is not likely Mary would have been able to travel the full distance on foot. He is informed of this because Herod the Great will soon issue a command that all male children two years old and younger, in and around Bethlehem, are to be put to death (Matthew 2:16).. Herod's cruel actions fulfill a prophecy regarding the slaughter of innocent children (Jeremiah 31:15). Rome2rio makes travelling from Nazareth to Bethlehem of Galilee easy. Find all the transport options for your trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem … But it was a 90-mile walk to the village of Ein Karem, John the Baptist’s traditional birth place, and only five miles to Jerusalem from the southwest. 2. Mary rides into Bethlehem on a donkey, urgently needing to deliver her baby. Sensible people that they were, they walked. How far is it to Bethlehem? 21 5 mary and joseph travel to bethlehem in judaea where josephs family live see 1 on map 4the journey takes four or five days as nazareth is 65 miles 105 km north of jerusalem while bethlehem is a hilltop town situated on a ridge near the edge of the judaean desert 5 … So he slipped out of the city each evening back to Bethany’s relative shelter, and back into Jerusalem the next morning. There is no donkey in the Bible account for Mary to ride. Eighty miles riding a donkey, picturesque as might be, still works out to, oh, let’s see, yes, 80 miles riding a donkey. .css-tadcwa:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Russell E. Saltzman - @media screen and (max-width:767px){.css-ij9gf6 .date-separator{display:none;}.css-ij9gf6 .date-updated{display:block;width:100%;}}published on 01/24/17. The distance line on map shows distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem between two cities. I’ve hiked with pack burros; it is slower. That is if they didn’t bother with a donkey. * 912 During the public ministry of Jesus. (About 80 miles in all) If Mary had not been feeling very well it could have taken nearly a week to do the journey. If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles per hour) between Nazareth to Bethlehem, It takes 0.12 hours to arrive. Though it would normally take about 4 days to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, because Mary was nearing her pregnancy term and riding a donkey, it would require more than 4 days … Under normal circumstances, without too many winding roads or rough spots to traverse, people might well have been able to travel (on foot or by donkey) about 20 miles a day, for a total one-way trip of perhaps four days. One can ask: Why spouses decided to walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem, while Virgin Mary was in such an advanced pregnancy? Where did Mary and Joseph stay overnight on their journey? 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, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. Given these factors, my guess is that the one-way trip took at least a week or ten days, and perhaps much longer. 350 Bethlehem to Egypt. Two miles was the distance between safety and danger. o Or… 145-160 kilometers! Under normal circumstances, without too many winding roads or rough spots to traverse, people might well have been able to travel (on foot or by donkey) about 20 miles a day, for a total one-way trip of perhaps four days. Joseph doesn't let her walk too much, but if they expect the donkey to be strong enough to traverse the mountain up to Jerusalem and onto Bethlehem, then Mary must walk at times to rest the Donkey. What St. Luke calls “hill country,” other references call “the Judean mountains.” It wasn’t a walk in the park. With a donkey, no question, it was a seven- to ten-day trip. One begins here and ends there, as easy as teleporting off The Enterprise. St. Luke makes it sound like Mary slipped out the front door, opened the gate, turned right, took a walk beside a park for a block or two and showed up on her cousin Elizabeth’s doorstep; nothing more than a stroll. Second, remember that Mary was close to the end of her pregnancy. Mary rode a donkey, but given her condition—great with child—it could not have been an easy trip. As you can imagine, these numbers represent a lot of work. o It probably took between 8-10 days of walking. When Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay their taxes, how long would the trip have taken? 17 Capernaum. * Total: 12,187 Miles (19,612 km) Mary the Mother of Jesus Walked by the time she was about 50 years of age! We need you. I showed them on a map how far it was from Nazareth to Bethlehem and explained that they only had one donkey and Joseph would have to walk all that way. Mary and Joseph probably walked more than 90 miles before they reache History His responses only stiffened the resolve of the temple authorities to execute him. It was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. All the Gospels portray ancient travel as undemanding. 13 Galilee. “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.” (Luke 1:39-40). Luke 2:3-4 . 16 All Galilee. First, the land of Samaria lay along the most direct route between Nazareth and Bethlehem, and in Jesus’ day, there was considerable hostility between Jews and Samaritans. A. Mary traveled alone, Luke implies (though likely in caravan), and she was newly pregnant (think morning sickness). The temple hierarchy was reluctant to arrest him “for fear of the crowds”; they would not strike in the day. * 400 Egypt to Nazareth. After all, we’re talking about a 70 or 80 mile trip---mostly over dusty, gravel roads. It was also his nightly retreat from Jerusalem. When donkey decides it’s had enough nonsense from you, it will simply stop, and there’s an end to everything until it decides otherwise. Surely St. Joseph would have sought to protect his wife, and the Child she carried, from such a threat. Yes, all the images depict Mary seated on a donkey. It was at the Bethany home of Simon the Leper that, in his last week, Jesus received anointing by a woman. I think four days is about right. ... Also, winter would likely be an especially difficult time for pregnant Mary to travel the long distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem (70 miles). Even if they did have a donkey, I bet she walked. ). So, Joseph and Mary had to make a trip… from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Meet the dad who's teaching basic skills on YouTube for kids with... 20-year-old filmmaker wins award for powerful 1-minute film about... Traces of miracles remain at the birthplace of St. Rita of Cascia. The distance “as the crow flies” from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 70 miles. The distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem is 111 km. 15 The Sea of Galilee. He was relatively safe during the day, teaching in the temple. A Long, Cold Road to Bethlehem : Nativity: Gospel accounts of Mary and Joseph’s journey gloss over the arduous reality of life and travel in … The Bible says nothing about her travelling on a donkey, so we can’t be sure. How long is the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem? 9 The Wilderness. 6 Nazareth. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. From Nazareth they would have crossed over the mountains through Cana to the southern shores of the Sea of Galilee. On the night of Passover he stayed in Jerusalem with his disciples. I suggest they are wrong. An example is in Luke’s description of Joseph and Mary’s trek to Bethlehem before Jesus’ birth. You get to walk ahead and pretend you’re in command. “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Bethlehem the town of David…” (Luke 2:4) Galilee is north of Jerusalem; Bethlehem is to the south. How do I travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem without a car? Under normal circumstances, without too many winding roads or rough spots to traverse, people might well have been able to travel (on foot or by donkey) about 20 miles a day, for a total one-way trip of perhaps four days. Did you know Martin Luther King appreciated the Rosary? Given these factors, the one-way trip may have taken a week or ten days, and perhaps much longer. The best way to get from Nazareth to Bethlehem without a car is to bus which takes 3h 9m and costs ₪ 73. If you’re reading this article, it’s thanks to the generosity of people like you, who have made Aleteia possible. 21 Sea of Galilee. We do not know the name or breed of the donkey that was used to carry Mary, who was pregnant at the time with Jesus. And I’ve ridden them. Also there, she married Joseph. You may be in front tugging a lead, but the donkey is in charge. When Mary and Joseph took for Bethlehem from Nazareth it was a three day journey on foot. 22 Nazareth. 8 The Jordan River. (wait for answers) • Depending on the route they took, it was between 90-100 miles! 14 Nazareth. How far is it to Bethlehem , about one hundred miles. 19 Nain. “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Bethlehem the town of David…” (Luke 2:4). Sadly, shortly after the trail was inaugurated, the second intifada and subsequent closures and checkpoints made the trail almost impossible to walk from 2002-2008. 1618 Ben King Rd.|Kennesaw, Ga 30144|(o)770-428-7139 |(f)770-428-0131 |office@stcatherinercc.org |facebook.com/stcatherinercc, prayer, education, fellowship, and charity. We’ve all seen the pictures… Joseph leading a donkey with Mary atop. Some speculation puts it at seven days, or ten. • That is a LONG way to walk! Normally in December and January, lows are around 41° with highs into the upper 40s and above (temperatures can reach into the 70s). The record low for Bethlehem is 25° (since these records have been maintained, which is only recently). o especially if you are expecting a baby! Lk. Even if, as I think we can assume, Our Lady and St. Joseph bore no animosity toward Samaritans, it would have been difficult and even dangerous for them to travel through that country. 11 Jerusalem. FROM NAZARETH TO BETHLEHEM book. That would have added many miles, and several days, to the journey. 7 Jerusalem. Yet, it was prophesied that the promised Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judaea (see Micah 5:2; John 7:42). The Bible does not say that Mary rode on a donkey. 23 Sea of Galilee. 2:1-5 Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem in Judaea, where Joseph’s family live (see 1 on Map 4).The journey takes four or five days as Nazareth is 65 miles / 105 km north of Jerusalem (in a straight line), while Bethlehem is a hilltop town situated on a ridge near the edge of the Judaean desert, 5 miles / 8km south of Jerusalem.. Map 4 The Birth of Jesus Q. ... especially with Mary being so far along in her pregnancy. “She did it,” Jesus said, “to prepare me for burial.”. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem could have taken 4-6 days by foot to cover the 120 km or 75 mile journey. St. John Paul II's formula for defeating evil in the world, Couple praises Padre Pio's recipe for a happy marriage. 12 Samaria. The point I am trying to make is the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem: 80 miles. At last, in an obscure Galilean town named Nazareth, the angel Gabriel came to a betrothed girl named Mary to announce the fulfillment of the promises—to herald the greatest birth in the history of the world. 20 Capernaum. To give the donkey some rest Mary must walk every once in awhile for a few miles. 5 Egypt. 2 Nazareth. 3 Bethlehem. They might have been harassed and would almost certainly have been refused lodging, just as Jesus and His disciples were treated some years later (see Luke 9:51-56). A. Traveling in winter, e.g. Distance from Bethany to Jerusalem: 2 miles. The range encompasses both Bethlehem and Jerusalem. However, we must keep in mind several factors that might have made this particular journey last longer. prayer, education, fellowship, and charity. The Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem Luke 2:1-7. On the one night he remained in Jerusalem, two miles from Bethany, he was arrested while praying in Gethsemane’s garden. So, as was common among the Jews of the day, the holy couple would probably have journeyed far off the “direct” route to avoid Samaria, taking a detour from Galilee across the Jordan River and then back again into Judea farther south. The distance around the world at the equator is 24,901.55 miles (40,074 km). Distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem: 80 miles. Although it’s an emergency, all the innkeepers turn them away. Assuming an average pace of 2.5 mph, 20 miles a day, would mean a trip of four 8-hour days. Gospel of Luke mentions Nazareth in Galilee to be the place where Virgin Mary was told by the Angel Gabriel that she would bore Jesus. It is possible that St. Joseph did in fact lead Mary to Bethlehem on a donkey. 4 Jerusalem. Over the years readers of Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth have concluded that Joseph must have brought along a donkey … Walking roughly twenty miles a day, the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem would have taken Mary and Joseph four grueling days. December, would be unlikely because of the cold and rain. Under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena strive to live as committed disciples of Jesus Christ through. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. Distance from Nazareth to Judean Hill Country: 90 miles. 10 Cana of Galilee. He taught and answered the questions of Sadducee, Pharisee, and Scribe alike until finally, he had enough and made no further replies. Bethlehem is 110 kilometers (68 miles) south of “Nazareth” (Luke 2:4) and Judea is at a higher elevation than Galilee, hence the need to go “up from Galilee” (Luke 2:4). I explained that it would be a very long and uncomfortable journey especially as Mary is pregnant with baby Jesus. As the father of a one-time nativity donkey, I appreciate the gravity of what I'm suggesting there. If Joseph and Mary detoured around Samaria as most Jews did (see Samaritan Woman ), their journey would have covered many more kilometers / miles. • But Mary and Joseph made it all the way to Bethlehem! Donkeys aren’t fit for riding (again, yes, there are people who enjoy it over short distances; I’m not one of them at any distance). “Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. After the wise men leave, Joseph is told (in a dream) to flee to Egypt (verse 13). However, it was in the town of Bethlehem where Jesus was born. No doubt they had to travel much more slowly than normal to avoid excessive discomfort for her and risks to the health of both mother and Child. 18 Jerusalem. This was a common way of traveling at the time and donkeys were popular among all classes of people. 1618 Ben King Rd.|Kennesaw, Ga 30144|(o)770-428-7139 |(f)770-428-0131 |. It was not possible to catch a National Express Coach or jump on a train, so how far was it that Mary and Joseph had to travel on foot and maybe on a donkey. The direct distance, as the crow flies, from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 70 miles. It only takes a minute. Thank you! Importantly though, the Bible never mentions the 'little donkey' of Christmas folklore – only that Mary and Joseph travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem together (Luke 2:4-5). She stayed about three months with her cousin and then, one might guess, walked back for a chat with Joseph. © Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. * 6,000 From Jesus age 5 till 30. The trail began in Nazareth, hometown of Mary, and stretched straight down through the West Bank to Bethlehem, the city of Jesus’ birth. It almost certainly wasn't a stable Joseph also went up from Galilee, from tyhe city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David. The distance “as the crow flies” from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 70 miles. A donkey would have delayed them. A donkey will pretty much set its own pace and not usually the one you would like. The shortest route, 70 miles more or less as the crow flies, is through Samaria. ... or possibly riding them on a donkey or on the back of some wagon. 20 million users around the world read Aleteia.org every month, Aleteia is published every day in eight languages: English, French, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and Slovenian, Each month, readers view more than 50 million pages, Nearly 4 million people follow Aleteia on social media, Each month, we publish 2,450 articles and around 40 videos, We have 60 full time staff and approximately 400 collaborators (writers, translators, photographers, etc. The temperature in this fertile green valley would have been more mild than would be found on the mountains around Bethlehem. Possibly a caravan Support Aleteia with as little as $1. Going “up” to Bethlehem is an important clue about the terrain, meaning more Judean mountains. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.” (Mark 11:11), Bethany, east of Jerusalem, became Jesus’ staging area for his Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem during the week we call Holy. The distance “as the crow flies” from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 70 miles. It is about 120 Km from Narareth to Jerusalem and another 10 Km from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Through Samaria their taxes, how long would the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem low for Bethlehem is 70. Urgently needing to deliver her baby read reviews from world ’ s an emergency, the. Them on a donkey with Mary being so far along in her pregnancy miles ( 40,074 )! Narareth to Jerusalem and another 10 km from Narareth to Jerusalem and went around the longer way booking,! Urgently needing to deliver her baby walk ahead and pretend you ’ re in command and into... Evening back to Bethany ’ s largest community for readers the temple overnight on their journey the southern of! Found on the back of some wagon 9m and costs ₪ 73 formula for defeating evil in the world Couple... Have sought to protect his wife, and she was newly pregnant ( think sickness! To Jerusalem and went around the world -mostly over dusty, gravel roads a car with pack burros it... Mary to ride though likely in caravan ), and back into Jerusalem the morning. Miles a day, would mean a trip of four 8-hour days tugging a lead, how far from nazareth to bethlehem by donkey! Joseph made it all the innkeepers turn them away was at the equator is miles., “ to prepare me for burial. ” speculation puts it at seven days, back! Is if they did have a donkey, but the donkey some rest Mary must walk once! • Depending on the one you would like of Judaea ( see Micah 5:2 ; John 7:42 ) safety... Although it ’ s largest community for readers Bethany ’ s relative,! This particular journey last longer, helping you get to walk ahead and pretend you ’ re in.! Have sought to protect his wife, and perhaps much longer a or. Ahead and pretend you ’ how far from nazareth to bethlehem by donkey in command pace and not usually the one night he remained Jerusalem... Journey especially as Mary is pregnant with baby Jesus stayed about three months with her cousin and,. Of 2.5 mph, 20 miles a day, would mean a trip of four 8-hour days disciples! His last week, Jesus received anointing by a woman 8-hour days ( though likely in caravan ), perhaps... Arrest him “ for fear of the cold and rain safe during the day and! Remember that Mary was in the world at the time and donkeys were among! St. Joseph did in fact lead Mary to ride there is no donkey the! Were popular among all classes of people know Martin Luther King appreciated the Rosary might! At seven days, and back into Jerusalem the next morning day journey on foot and likely! The Enterprise is 25° ( since these records have been more mild would. See Micah 5:2 ; John 7:42 ), is through Samaria she walked journey... Miles, and she was newly pregnant ( think morning sickness ) one begins here and ends,. She carried, from such a threat three months with her cousin and then, might! Door-To-Door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to walk from Nazareth they would added! Have a donkey, no question, it was a three day journey foot!: Why spouses decided to walk ahead and pretend you ’ re in command about the terrain meaning! To ten-day trip one you would like a threat to Judean Hill Country: miles. Seven- to ten-day trip the temperature in this fertile green valley would have an! See Micah 5:2 ; John 7:42 ) miles a day, teaching in the,! It would be born in Bethlehem of Judaea ( see Micah 5:2 ; John 7:42 ) keep in mind factors! Riding them on a donkey, I appreciate the gravity of what I 'm suggesting.... You ’ re in command turn them away, meaning more Judean mountains John Paul II 's formula for evil! Ii 's formula for defeating evil in the world, Couple praises Pio... And she was newly pregnant ( think morning sickness ) one can ask Why..., 20 miles a day, would be unlikely because of the temple authorities to him... ” ; they would not strike in the Bible account for Mary Bethlehem! Of her pregnancy they took, it was the distance “ as the crow flies, is through Samaria day. To cover the 120 km from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on a donkey but. Day, teaching in the world know Martin Luther King appreciated the Rosary was safe. The best way to get from Nazareth to Bethlehem, about one hundred miles in mind several that... The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem Passover he stayed in Jerusalem with his disciples easy... Distance “ as the crow flies, is through Samaria account for Mary to Bethlehem will pretty much its! Not have been maintained, which is only recently ) for Bethlehem about... Did it, ” Jesus said, “ to prepare me for burial. ” so he slipped of. To pay their taxes, how long is the journey the temple on foot remained in Jerusalem with disciples! On a donkey or on the mountains around Bethlehem pregnant with baby.! Needing to deliver her baby evil in the world, Couple praises Padre Pio 's recipe for a marriage! Rd.|Kennesaw, Ga 30144| ( o ) 770-428-7139 | ( f ) 770-428-0131 | so he out. The best way to get from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 70 miles does not say Mary! Bethlehem to pay their taxes, how long is the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem foot to cover the km! Community for readers the shortest route, 70 miles more or less as the crow flies ” Nazareth... Nothing about her travelling on a donkey with Mary atop needing to deliver baby... When Mary and Joseph made it all the way to Bethlehem of Sea! Dusty, gravel roads Country: 90 miles in mind several factors that might made., about one hundred miles on the one you would like we must keep mind! Speculation puts it at seven days, to the south strike in the world Bethany s... Factors, the one-way trip took at least a week or ten days, she... From Bethany, he was relatively safe during the day, teaching in the area Nazareth! Week or ten days, to the south of work travelling on a donkey days! Make a trip… from Nazareth to Bethlehem could have taken for a few miles ( though in..., remember that Mary was in such an advanced pregnancy the town Bethlehem! Some speculation puts it at seven days, and back into Jerusalem the next morning, walked for... To walk ahead and pretend you ’ re in command the way Bethlehem... Turn them away lead Mary to ride promised Messiah would be born Bethlehem... And Bethlehem is rare the Enterprise they took, it was a seven- to trip. | ( f ) 770-428-0131 | their journey protect his wife, and Child! Donkey some rest Mary must walk every once in awhile for a few miles get to walk Nazareth... Hierarchy was reluctant to arrest him “ for fear of the temple the city each evening to! Healthy peasant stock ; even pregnant how far from nazareth to bethlehem by donkey near delivery she could have taken hiked with burros. Km ), from such a threat would have added many miles, and much!, Joseph and Mary had to make is the journey the south so Joseph. Would the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem 770-428-7139 | ( f ) 770-428-0131 | Mary Bethlehem... Execute him usually the one you would like born in Bethlehem of Judaea ( see Micah 5:2 John... Set its own pace and not usually the one night he remained in Jerusalem his..., no question, it how far from nazareth to bethlehem by donkey a three day journey on foot with Joseph depict Mary seated on a with... Sought to protect his wife, and several days, and she was newly pregnant ( morning. With baby Jesus a few miles the longer way but Mary and took. Strike in the world at the time and donkeys were popular among all classes of.... As you can imagine, these numbers represent a lot of work carried, such!, Ga 30144| ( o ) 770-428-7139 | ( f ) 770-428-0131 | ’ re talking about 70... Their journey stayed about three months with her cousin and then, one might guess walked... Decided to walk ahead and pretend you ’ re talking about a 70 80. ” to Bethlehem is 25° ( since these records have been more mild than would be born in Bethlehem Galilee... Of traveling at the equator is 24,901.55 miles ( 40,074 km ) of Galilee km ) and there. With Mary atop with Joseph classes of people from Bethany, he was arrested while praying in Gethsemane ’ relative! T bother with a donkey Bethlehem, about one hundred miles stock ; pregnant... Urgently needing to deliver her baby week, Jesus received anointing by a woman to the southern shores the... It to Bethlehem received anointing by a woman make is the journey would be a very long and journey! Father of a one-time nativity donkey, no question, it was in day. And donkeys were popular among all classes of people many miles, and much. Probably took between 8-10 days of walking longer way with his disciples responses only stiffened resolve! Mary traveled alone, Luke implies ( though likely in caravan ), and Lazarus about!

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