An Alternative View: Travel Provoked by Shame

N. Clayton Croy

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Chapter 4 An Alternative View: Travel Provoked by Shame

In: Escaping Shame: Mary's Dilemma and the Birthplace of Jesus

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N. Clayton Croy

N. Clayton Croy
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 81–142

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004370906_005

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Abstract

I put forward my thesis for the relocation of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem: the motivation of shame. Regardless of Mary’s guilt or innocence in the matter, she would have faced social opprobrium for an ill-timed pregnancy. Neighbors would assume that she had conceived Jesus apart from her betrothed. I survey the topic of illegitimacy in Greco-Roman and Jewish milieus. Then I examine the specific evidence for shame and apparent illegitimacy in the case of Jesus. Regardless of how Jesus’ conception occurred, Mary would have faced ostracism and Jesus would have faced significant obstacles if it were common knowledge that Joseph was not his biological father. The evidence for this is mostly implicit, but is found in all four Gospels as well as later Christian texts. Rabbinic writings, although they are much later, also reflect calumny about Jesus’ parentage.

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Escaping Shame: Mary's Dilemma and the Birthplace of Jesus

Series: Novum Testamentum, Supplements, Volume: 187

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004370906

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 23 Jun 2022

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- Biblical Studies

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Chapter 4 An Alternative View: Travel Provoked by Shame

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Escaping Shame: Mary's Dilemma and the Birthplace of Jesus

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