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The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke (The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library) Paperback – May 18, 1999

by Raymond E. Brown (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 89 ratings
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The truth behind the Gospel accounts of the  Nativity, updated to include the latest research--a  classic by a renowned scholar, hailed as  "masterly" and "definitive" in the  original edition.
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  1. Part of series
    The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library
  2. Print length
    752 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Yale University Press
  5. Publication date
    May 18, 1999
  6. Dimensions
    9.28 x 6.24 x 1.93 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0300140088
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0300140088
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A line-by-line exegesis . . . that not only synthesizes a generation of modern scholarship but also provides a coherent and compelling explanation of what the stories of Christ's birth were meant to convey. . . . Brown manages to rescue the Christmas story from both the contempt of experts and the sentimentality of naive laymen. . . . Ordinary Christians can thank this priestly scholar for helping them to put the adult Christ back into Christmas."—Newsweek

"A work of the highest critical historical scholarship in a form that is accessible to the average well-educated reader. . . . Brown's treatment of the infancy narratives is definitive. It will undoubtedly be the standard work on the subject for years to come."―Best Sellers

"Recommended to readers at all levels and without reservation."―America

"A masterly work. Every conclusion is argued with the utmost thoroughness."―The Catholic Bible Quarterly

"A magnificent tome, which puts previous studies in the shade and which promises to remain standard for a very long time. A superb study, rich in content, profound in insight."―The Living Church

"One of the premier events in biblical publishing. . . . One thing is sure: This book will become a classic study of the nature and message of the infancy narratives."―The Bible Today

About the Author

Over his illustrious career, Raymond E. Brown, S.S., Ph.D., was internationally regarded as a dean of New Testament scholars. He was Auburn Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, received over thirty honorary degrees from Catholic and Protestant universities worldwide, and was elected a (Corresponding) Fellow of the British Academy and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In addition to serving as president of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, and the Society of New Testament Studies, two popes appointed Father Brown as the sole American on the Pontifical Biblical Commission. Some of the best known of his more than thirty-five books on the Bible are three volumes in the Anchor Bible series on the Gospel and Epistles of John, as well as the Anchor Bible Reference Library volumes The Birth of the Messiah, The Death of the Messiah, and An Introduction to the New Testament, winner of the 1998 Catholic Press Association Award for Biblical Studies. Father Brown’s untimely death on August 8, 1998, saddened all who knew him.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press; Updated edition (May 18, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 752 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0300140088
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0300140088
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.28 x 6.24 x 1.93 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 89 ratings

About the author

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Raymond Edward Brown

Raymond Edward Brown

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Raymond E. Brown, S.S., taught for many years at Saint Mary's Seminary in Baltimore and was Professor of Biblical Studies at the Union Theological Seminary for two decades. He was the author of three books in the Anchor Bible series on the Gospels and Epistles of John and wrote the classic Anchor Bible Reference Library volumes The Birth of the Messiah, The Death of the Messiah, and An Introduction to the New Testament. He died in 1998.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
89 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States

cheapie pie
5.0 out of 5 stars magisterial!!!
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2023
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This is a scholarly book that is accessible to many. Fr Brown takes on a lot of questions that have troubled readers of the infancy narratives and the Bible. Highly recommended! But, like me, you will probably choose a section at a time for your focus rather than sit down to read the entire book from start to finish.
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DoctorD
5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST starting point to understand the infancy narratives
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2015
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Whether you are Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, whatever, this book is the place to start for anyone interested in the gospel infancy stories. Brown carefully analyzes chapters 1 and 2 of Matthew and Luke to show us the many, many quotes and allusions to the Old Testament they contain and the message the infancy narratives are intended to deliver. After all, what exactly were the reasons these chapters were included?

The book is accessible and useful to readers of all levels from the interested layman to the hardcore scholar. The scholarly notes he includes on each verse can easily be skipped and left to the specialist.

Brown follows his usual rules of analysis: each gospel is analyzed independently and the reader is always cautioned not to read into one gospel what is present in the other; and he only uses material that was present at or near the time the gospels were composed. Any commentary or interpretation that was composed after 100 AD is not allowed. And by following these guidelines, the two gospels can be seen even by the ordinary reader in a whole new light.

After the book proper, Brown includes a series of appendices. Here one can zoom in on the most controversial aspects of the two infancy narratives: were there actually wise men? Was there actually a census? Was Jesus actually illegitimate?

Finally, for the second edition, Brown reviewed the literature in the field that was published in the ~18 years after the book first appeared. He must have been rushed as his writing does not display his typical grace. And while interesting, the bottom line is that he has found very little to change his views from the first edition.

I read Brown’s “Death of the Messiah” before reading this one (even though “Birth” was written earlier). He is much more judicious in his use of language in “Birth of the Messiah” since some critical theological points arise in the infancy stories. He has a nuanced understanding of the Bible and should not be missed by anyone.
17 people found this helpful
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Thaimaster
5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced, scholarly and fair interpretations of the birth and infancy narratives of our Lord Jesus
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2016
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St. Mark left the Messiah's birth narrative out of his Gospel. St. John didn't touch on it either. How much do you know about Jesus' birth and the infancy narrative? I thought I did until I read Father Brown's "Birth of the Messiah" (hereafter referred to as BOM). Now I realize I didn't know it that well after all these years.

Father Brown goes into a VERY detailed yet VERY even and fair treatment of St. Matthew's and St. Luke's gospels that would surely open one's eyes. It is neither conservative nor liberal interpretation. BOM is just a balanced, scholarly, honest and fair approach to the birth and infancy narratives that strives to understand the evangelists' message to his readers back then.

I highly recommend reading it and determine for yourself what Matthew and Luke are saying to you if you were to have them over for dinner.
10 people found this helpful
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KB from NYC
4.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly detailed
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2021
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Future lay readers such as myself should be aware going in that this is first and foremost a scholarly work and that while it's intended for readers of all levels, the lay reader is truly a distant afterthought. That said, if you work your way through, as I did this Christmas season, you'll absolutely come away with a the deeper understanding of the Mathew & Luke nativity narratives. I bow down to Raymond E. Brown's scholarship and intimate examination of literally every single word contained therein.
One person found this helpful
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LYNN J. LABUDDE
5.0 out of 5 stars Raymond Brown is the leading expert on the New Testament ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2018
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Raymond Brown is the leading expert on the New Testament, especially the infancy narratives of the Holy Family. I use this text also in preparing classes on the New Testament. He uses historical criticism in this work, to paint a picture of the early life of the Holy Family.
3 people found this helpful
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Darla Fenster
5.0 out of 5 stars A study for sure
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2020
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Not am easy read, but very interesting. A lot to ponder
One person found this helpful
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gg
5.0 out of 5 stars Fr. Raymond Brown is the best with writings of John the Apostle
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2018
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simply the best Bible scholar giving us the best scholarship. get this book.
3 people found this helpful
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Edward Blaine
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2018
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Excellent and thorough Christological view of the birth of Christ.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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jack michele turner
5.0 out of 5 stars Morte del Messia.
Reviewed in Italy on July 4, 2022
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Devo leggerlo nei suoi tempi, no si parla di Collodi, ma di Dan Brown.
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Mr. Jack Lawson
5.0 out of 5 stars Forget About Dan Brown
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 9, 2012
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The birth of Jesus has puzzled many people. It is full of contradictions, not least the gap between the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke. The Jewish tax collector and Greek physician might be expected to have different perspectives, but both strive to be honest -- so why the contradictions?? This book towers over most biographies of Jesus and New Testament Commentaries. It is distinguished by Raymond Brown's scholarship and sincerity combined with clarity of organization, thought and expression. He engages the reader in the best way possible. He reconciles difficult issues of conflict by means of courtesy rather than glossing over. If the reader's perspective is Catholic, Protestant, or other he or she will be gently confronted with one insight after another which at least assures learning at the feet of a master. The greatness of the book is possibly indicated by its substantial length and the fact that it is not one page too long. If you want to know the secret at the heart of Christianity, forget about Dan Brown.
8 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2021
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The book was in excellent condition and was exactly what I needed for my research. It was delivered ahead of time and I am very pleased with it.
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jpasneves
5.0 out of 5 stars Mandatory
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2017
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Event though my expectatives were sky high it still amazed me. A definite must have.
One person found this helpful
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Innocent Ugyeh
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on December 19, 2016
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just what I expected
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