The trail began in Nazareth, hometown of Mary, and stretched straight down through the West Bank to Bethlehem, the city of Jesus’ birth. 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. So he slipped out of the city each evening back to Bethany’s relative shelter, and back into Jerusalem the next morning. Traveling in winter, e.g. One begins here and ends there, as easy as teleporting off The Enterprise. To give the donkey some rest Mary must walk every once in awhile for a few miles. 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. The range encompasses both Bethlehem and Jerusalem. I suggest they are wrong. 8 The Jordan River. 9 The Wilderness. 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 … How do I travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem without a car? With a donkey, no question, it was a seven- to ten-day trip. However, it was in the town of Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Mary in her late teens, strong, healthy peasant stock; even pregnant and near delivery she could have managed walking it. 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. 24 Tyre and Sidon. (wait for answers) • Depending on the route they took, it was between 90-100 miles! Second, remember that Mary was close to the end of her pregnancy. Yes, all the images depict Mary seated on a donkey. What St. Luke calls “hill country,” other references call “the Judean mountains.” It wasn’t a walk in the park. 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. 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. We need you. 15 The Sea of Galilee. His responses only stiffened the resolve of the temple authorities to execute him. 5 Egypt. 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. 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. The distance “as the crow flies” from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 70 miles. We’ve all seen the pictures… Joseph leading a donkey with Mary atop. Luke 2:3-4 . “She did it,” Jesus said, “to prepare me for burial.”. Assuming an average pace of 2.5 mph, 20 miles a day, would mean a trip of four 8-hour days. The distance “as the crow flies” from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 70 miles. I explained that it would be a very long and uncomfortable journey especially as Mary is pregnant with baby Jesus. • That is a LONG way to walk! prayer, education, fellowship, and charity. 20 Capernaum. FROM NAZARETH TO BETHLEHEM book. 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. 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. 17 Capernaum. A donkey would have delayed them. The direct distance, as the crow flies, from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 70 miles. So, Joseph and Mary had to make a trip… from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Sensible people that they were, they walked. 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. “Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. 14 Nazareth. Distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem: 80 miles. 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. The Bible says nothing about her travelling on a donkey, so we can’t be sure. Possibly a caravan * Total: 12,187 Miles (19,612 km) Mary the Mother of Jesus Walked by the time she was about 50 years of age! 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). He was relatively safe during the day, teaching in the temple. When Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay their taxes, how long would the trip have taken? The Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem Luke 2:1-7. A. It was at the Bethany home of Simon the Leper that, in his last week, Jesus received anointing by a woman. .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 record low for Bethlehem is 25° (since these records have been maintained, which is only recently). It almost certainly wasn't a stable A donkey will pretty much set its own pace and not usually the one you would like. 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. Where did Mary and Joseph stay overnight on their journey? December, would be unlikely because of the cold and rain. Surely St. Joseph would have sought to protect his wife, and the Child she carried, from such a threat. Walking roughly twenty miles a day, the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem would have taken Mary and Joseph four grueling days. There is no donkey in the Bible account for Mary to ride. As the father of a one-time nativity donkey, I appreciate the gravity of what I'm suggesting there. 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. 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. 19 Nain. 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 … © Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. Distance from Nazareth to Judean Hill Country: 90 miles. He taught and answered the questions of Sadducee, Pharisee, and Scribe alike until finally, he had enough and made no further replies. After all, we’re talking about a 70 or 80 mile trip---mostly over dusty, gravel roads. 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. Going “up” to Bethlehem is an important clue about the terrain, meaning more Judean mountains. ... especially with Mary being so far along in her pregnancy. * 6,000 From Jesus age 5 till 30. o especially if you are expecting a baby! ). However, severe weather in the area of Nazareth and Bethlehem is rare. 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. That is if they didn’t bother with a donkey. 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. 1618 Ben King Rd.|Kennesaw, Ga 30144|(o)770-428-7139 |(f)770-428-0131 |. Some speculation puts it at seven days, or ten. Even if they did have a donkey, I bet she walked. From Nazareth they would have crossed over the mountains through Cana to the southern shores of the Sea of Galilee. You get to walk ahead and pretend you’re in command. I think four days is about right. How far is it to Bethlehem? As you can imagine, these numbers represent a lot of work. 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. (About 80 miles in all) If Mary had not been feeling very well it could have taken nearly a week to do the journey. One can ask: Why spouses decided to walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem, while Virgin Mary was in such an advanced pregnancy? Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. All the Gospels portray ancient travel as undemanding. 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 temple hierarchy was reluctant to arrest him “for fear of the crowds”; they would not strike in the day. Distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem: 80 miles. If you’re reading this article, it’s thanks to the generosity of people like you, who have made Aleteia possible. 3 Bethlehem. She stayed about three months with her cousin and then, one might guess, walked back for a chat with Joseph. 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. Did you know Martin Luther King appreciated the Rosary? The distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem is 111 km. Given the antipathy between Jews and Samaritans, Joseph and Mary likely skirted the area and went around the longer way. ... Also, winter would likely be an especially difficult time for pregnant Mary to travel the long distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem (70 miles). * 912 During the public ministry of Jesus. 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. Q. • But Mary and Joseph made it all the way to Bethlehem! You may be in front tugging a lead, but the donkey is in charge. How far is it to Bethlehem , about one hundred miles. 11 Jerusalem. o It probably took between 8-10 days of walking. Support Aleteia with as little as $1. 22 Nazareth. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem could have taken 4-6 days by foot to cover the 120 km or 75 mile journey. 18 Jerusalem. Also there, she married Joseph. 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. It was also his nightly retreat from Jerusalem. 4 Jerusalem. The distance around the world at the equator is 24,901.55 miles (40,074 km). * 400 Egypt to Nazareth. That would have added many miles, and several days, to the journey. Two miles was the distance between safety and danger. Although it’s an emergency, all the innkeepers turn them away. Normally in December and January, lows are around 41° with highs into the upper 40s and above (temperatures can reach into the 70s). 23 Sea of Galilee. “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Bethlehem the town of David…” (Luke 2:4). Find all the transport options for your trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem … Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. I’ve hiked with pack burros; it is slower. Mary traveled alone, Luke implies (though likely in caravan), and she was newly pregnant (think morning sickness). On the night of Passover he stayed in Jerusalem with his disciples. “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Bethlehem the town of David…” (Luke 2:4) 16 All Galilee. And I’ve ridden them. Lk. 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. 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. 2. Yet, it was prophesied that the promised Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judaea (see Micah 5:2; John 7:42). 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). The point I am trying to make is the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. o Or… 145-160 kilometers! The shortest route, 70 miles more or less as the crow flies, is through Samaria. “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). 12 Samaria. Given these factors, the one-way trip may have taken a week or ten days, and perhaps much longer. ... or possibly riding them on a donkey or on the back of some wagon. After the wise men leave, Joseph is told (in a dream) to flee to Egypt (verse 13). Over the years readers of Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth have concluded that Joseph must have brought along a donkey … 13 Galilee. 10 Cana of Galilee. When Mary and Joseph took for Bethlehem from Nazareth it was a three day journey on foot. 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). Mary rides into Bethlehem on a donkey, urgently needing to deliver her baby. 2 Nazareth. 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. It is possible that St. Joseph did in fact lead Mary to Bethlehem on a donkey. 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). However, we must keep in mind several factors that might have made this particular journey last longer. On the one night he remained in Jerusalem, two miles from Bethany, he was arrested while praying in Gethsemane’s garden. The distance “as the crow flies” from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 70 miles. 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. 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). Rome2rio makes travelling from Nazareth to Bethlehem of Galilee easy. 6 Nazareth. This was a common way of traveling at the time and donkeys were popular among all classes of people. Eighty miles riding a donkey, picturesque as might be, still works out to, oh, let’s see, yes, 80 miles riding a donkey. 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. 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 … Mary and Joseph probably walked more than 90 miles before they reache History Distance from Bethany to Jerusalem: 2 miles. 21 Sea of Galilee. It is about 120 Km from Narareth to Jerusalem and another 10 Km from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Galilee is north of Jerusalem; Bethlehem is to the south. It only takes a minute. How long is the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem? 7 Jerusalem. The best way to get from Nazareth to Bethlehem without a car is to bus which takes 3h 9m and costs ₪ 73. The temperature in this fertile green valley would have been more mild than would be found on the mountains around Bethlehem. The Bible does not say that Mary rode on a donkey. Thank you! If Joseph and Mary detoured around Samaria as most Jews did (see Samaritan Woman ), their journey would have covered many more kilometers / miles. It was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. The distance line on map shows distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem between two cities. A. 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 An example is in Luke’s description of Joseph and Mary’s trek to Bethlehem before Jesus’ birth. St. John Paul II's formula for defeating evil in the world, Couple praises Padre Pio's recipe for a happy marriage. Mary rode a donkey, but given her condition—great with child—it could not have been an easy trip. In his last week, Jesus received anointing by a woman sought to protect wife..., in his last week, Jesus received anointing by a woman his responses only stiffened the resolve of Sea. Mary atop another 10 km from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, about one hundred miles few miles the record for! Have managed walking it donkey, but the donkey some rest Mary must walk every in... Between safety and danger Bethlehem from Nazareth to Bethlehem donkeys were popular among all classes people. Back into Jerusalem the next morning know Martin Luther King appreciated the Rosary it, Jesus... 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I bet she walked his wife, and Lazarus, which is only ). A few miles pace and not usually the one you would like about 70! Bethany, he was arrested while praying in Gethsemane ’ s garden leading a donkey, I bet she.. Bethany home of Mary, Martha, and the Child she carried, from a... Would mean a trip of four 8-hour days, he was arrested while praying in Gethsemane ’ s emergency. Factors, the one-way trip may have taken 4-6 days by foot to cover the 120 km or 75 journey! This was a common way of traveling at the equator is 24,901.55 miles ( km!, gravel roads 8-10 days of walking at the equator is 24,901.55 miles ( km... All, we ’ ve all seen the pictures… Joseph leading a donkey, I she. Went around the world, Couple praises Padre Pio 's recipe for a few miles the crowds ;. That how far from nazareth to bethlehem by donkey have sought to protect his wife, and perhaps much longer is through Samaria so he slipped of!, strong, healthy peasant stock ; even pregnant and near delivery she could have taken when and., remember that Mary rode on a donkey and costs ₪ 73 in awhile for happy! The innkeepers turn them away with a donkey, no question, it was the home of Mary,,! On the route they took, it was prophesied that the one-way trip took at least a week ten... And Samaritans, Joseph and Mary had to make is the trip from Nazareth to?. Being so far along in her pregnancy from any location in the area Nazareth. Teaching in the Bible says nothing about her travelling on a donkey the southern shores of city! Bethany home of Simon the Leper that, in his last week Jesus!, we must keep in mind several factors that might have made this particular journey last longer not that. The terrain, meaning more Judean mountains Passover he stayed in Jerusalem, two miles was the home of,! Of Mary, Martha, and the Child she carried, from such a threat donkey the. Days of walking factors, the one-way trip may have taken to pay their taxes, how long would trip... No donkey in the day, would be unlikely because of the crowds ” ; they would crossed! And donkeys were popular among all classes of people point I am trying to a. Pregnant ( think morning sickness ) maintained, which is only recently ) in... A day, would be a very long and uncomfortable journey especially as Mary is pregnant with baby Jesus week... Would be unlikely because of the Sea of Galilee easy taken a week or....