Erode e i Vangeli dell’infanzia: le questioni aperte

Abstract

The Gospels’ accounts of Jesus’ birth and childhood leave several questions open about the historical authenticity of the events. This paper provides a brief list: the doubts raised by the different genealogies of the Messiah presented by Matthew and Luke; the date of the census ordered by Augustus at the time when Jesus was born, which must be brought into accord with the reign of Herod the Great (who died in 4 BC) and the years of Quirinius’ governor­ship (6-7 AD); the suspected confusions between Herod the Great, Herod Archelaus, Herod Antipas, and Herod Philip; the uncertainties surrounding the Presentation to the Temple for purification, and, last but not least, with the famous Massacre of the Innocents.