Topic(s):  Jesus

Todd Clippard

The Bible says in Luke 2:7 that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of David, and laid in a manger. The word manger has at least two general uses:

1) it refers to the entirety of a stable where animals are kept (Adam Clarke); and

2) it refers to a crib or trough wherein horse feed is placed (Jamieson, Faussett, & Brown).

In either event, Jesus was not born in a house. The manger scene is given to show the humility that marked the beginning of our Lord's life, which would also be the mark of his entire ministry (Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter 2:21-23).