Wouldn't Jesus have been born in modern day Palestine and not Israel?

Question

Ironically enough, I have noticed that many of the towns Jesus spent his childhood in or happened to visit such as Bethleham, Nazareth, Galilee (inside Israel), and East Jerusalem home to the via dossa (apologize for the misspell) are populated by a large Palestinian majority except for Galilee which has a small Palestinian minority. Although the West Bank was then known as Judea, today it is home to more than two million Palestinian Arabs and Jesus' birthplace happens to be in a future Palestinian state.

Biblically, the idea of Palestine is ignored and probably never mentioned in the bible. Only the name of Israel is mentioned. I haven't came across the name in the text but there are bibles that carry maps with Palestine written on it.

Historically, Palestine has been a part of world history. Prophet Muhammad's night travel, the Crusades, the Ottoman Empire and our concept of the HolyLand in historic terms until 1948, have all taken place inside Palestine.

Answer 1

You are correct, although most of the area was called Judaea or Samaria at the time the Bible was written. Palestine, although it is an equally correct designation, came later.

Answer 2

There is no Modern Day Palestine - It's Israel. You are correct in stating that most of the places mentioned in both the old and new testaments are in areas that are today considered 'occupied territories' Bethlehem, Nazereth, and the Old City of Jerusalem are all in areas liberated by Israel in 1967.

You have to understand that the present day map, is a result of a cease fire after the Israeli War of Independance in 1948. Prior to 1948 the term "Palestinian" referred to Jews living in Mandatory Palestine (which after 1948 became Israel). It wasn't until several years AFTER the war that the Arabs of "Palestine" were ever called "Palestinian"

The term "Palestine" was coined by the Romans when they conquered Israel, in an attempt to de-Judafy Israel, and to recognize the biblical Philistines, whom had long since left the land of Israel. The term "Palestine" has been used interchangably with "the Land of Israel" or "Holy Land" since that time. It is only in the latter half of the 20th Century that any group of people ever claimed a "Palestinian" identity.

So in answer to your question, it really doensn't matter what you call the land. He would be born in Bethlehem

Answer 3

That's not your problem-Israel Palestine-one can debate the real or proper name, but it is moot. Your problem is that Israel has once again been placed on the world map. It was annihilated 1936 years ago-completely wiped off the map. In 1948 it appeared again. That is your problem-you can call it whatever you wish-but you have to deal with Israel.

Answer 4

The historical Jesus was born in Palestine, which was then a Roman province. There was no state called Israel then. (The one that had existed previously had ceased to exist centuries before.)

Answer 5

You're right. Jesus was a Jewish settler from the West Bank.

If he were born today, the whole world would hate and condemn him as an "obstacle to peace"

Answer 6

And even if you are correct ....therefore?
One must not assume Israel, nor what is called 'the holy land' has any special signigance these days.
The Jewish system was abandonned by God.
Matthew 23:38
Luke 21:24

Answer 7

the israelis stole palestine from the palestinians. They no longer have a country.

Answer 8

but it is not people , he will be born in new york. if he is not born there GW Bush would not accept it, agian there will be a war with some other country in search of W M D.

Answer 9

Jesus would have been born in Oklahojma

Answer 10

Maybe, if he really existed, he would have chosen to be born someplace closer to Elvis