Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem?

Verses to Read: Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1–2, Luke 2:4

Jesus was born in Bethlehem to fulfill a prophecy in the Old Testament (Micah 5:2). A prophecy is a statement in the Bible about something that will happen in the future. Over 400 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Micah wrote that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. And it came true!

Mary and Joseph returned to Joseph’s hometown of Bethlehem because of the census. The census required Jewish families to return to their hometowns to be registered, or counted, by the government. While they were in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus.

Micah’s prophecy about Jesus’ birthplace is just one of many prophecies in the Bible that came true. Fulfilled prophecies are one way we can know that the Bible is God’s Word.