The accommodations of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem: Κατάλυμα in Luke 2.7
Carlson, Stephen C.
Carlson, Stephen C.
Author
Abstract
The identity of the κατάλυμα in Luke 2.7 has been debated among Western scholars for over five hundred years. Proposals have ranged from an inn to a guest room. This article argues that the term κατάλυμα has a generic sense of ‘place to stay’ and that the final clause of Luke 2.7 should be rendered ‘because they had no space in their place to stay’. Moreover, three clues in the context—Joseph's compliance with the census order, the betrothal of Mary, and the manger—suggest that the accommodations presupposed by Luke are a marital chamber too small for giving birth.
Keywords
Date
2010
Type
Journal article
Journal
New Testament Studies
Book
Volume
56
Issue
3
Page Range
326-342
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy