Do the narratives of Jesus' birth contradict each other?

TL;DR:

The narratives of Jesus' birth found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke have differences, but they are not contradictory. The narratives of Jesus’ birth are complementary accounts that provide different perspectives on the same events.

what does the bible say?

The differences in the birth narratives of the two gospel accounts can be reconciled by considering the unique focus of each gospel. Matthew writes to a Jewish audience, emphasizing Joseph's perspective and it includes the story of the Magi. Luke writes to a Gentile audience, focusing on Mary's perspective and Luke includes the visit of the shepherds. Just because some details included by Luke were omitted by Matthew, and vice versa, does not mean that those events did not happen. Matthew and Luke both affirm key points: Mary was a virgin (Matthew 1:18, 23, 25; Luke 1:27), Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4–7), and Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth after Jesus was born (Matthew 2:23; Luke 1:26; 2:39). Some people question the timing of the flight to Egypt. This is explained below by considering the chronological differences and the different emphases of each gospel.

from the old testament

Jesus’ birth is not recorded in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

Matthew Chapters 1—2 and Luke Chapters 1—2 contain the birth narratives of Jesus.
Matthew implies Joseph and Mary lived in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1, 11). Luke says they lived in Nazareth, traveled to Bethlehem for a census, and returned to Nazareth after Jesus’ birth (Luke 1:26; 2:4, 39). Matthew focused on events surrounding Jesus' early years while Luke gave more context.
Matthew records Magi visiting a child in a house (Matthew 2:1–11), likely some time after Jesus’ birth. Luke describes shepherds visiting the newborn baby in a manger (Luke 2:8–16) on the night of His birth. There is no contradiction here: the shepherds came shortly after Jesus’ birth; the Magi likely came later, when the family had settled in a house.
Matthew says Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod (Matthew 2:13–15). Luke makes no mention of Egypt, stating that after purification, they returned to Nazareth (Luke 2:22, 39). Luke was summarizing events, likely omitting the Egypt trip for brevity. The family could have returned to Nazareth after a stay in Egypt.
Matthew and Luke present different genealogies. Matthew traces Jesus’ genealogy through Joseph’s line to Abraham, highlighting Jesus’ royal descent through David and Solomon (Matthew 1:1–17). Luke traces the line back to Adam, possibly through Mary’s line (though stated through Joseph), via David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:23–38). These distinct genealogies together affirm Jesus as both the rightful Messiah and the Son of Man, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy (see Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5).

implications for today

Regarding the flight to Egypt, there would not have been enough time for a trip to Egypt between Jesus' circumcision (on the eighth day) and his dedication at the temple thirty-three days later (time for Mary's purification). However, they could have very plausibly gone to Egypt after they'd seen Simeon and Anna at the temple. It says in Luke, "when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth" (Luke 2:39). But this does not require that they returned to Nazareth immediately after. They could easily have gone to Egypt before they returned to Nazareth. Luke is giving a summary statement whereas Matthew describes an interim event. A timeline of events following Jesus' birth follows:

1. Jesus is born in Bethlehem.

2. The shepherds visit Jesus.

3. Mary and Joseph go to Jerusalem to dedicate Jesus, where Simeon and Anna rejoice over Him.

4. Mary and Joseph return to Bethlehem (for an unspecified amount of time).

5. The magi seek Jesus out and give Him gifts, avoiding Herod on their return.

6. Joseph is warned to flee for Egypt.

7. Herod realizes he is tricked by the wise men and orders the death of all baby boys under the age of two.

8. Herod dies in 4 BC.

9. Joseph and Mary return to Nazareth.

The above chronology does not contradict any part of Matthew or Luke.

understand

Matthew and Luke offer different perspectives but affirm the same key truths.
Apparent differences are due to each Gospel’s emphasis and timeline, not contradictions.
When harmonized, both accounts provide a fuller picture of Jesus’ birth and early years.

reflect

How does understanding the harmony between Matthew and Luke’s birth accounts strengthen your trust in the truth of Scripture?
How have you grown in understanding that the accounts in the Gospels are complementary, not contradictory?
How can you let the full story of Jesus’ birth—both its humble details and fulfilled prophecies—deepen your worship and faith?

engage

How do the different perspectives of Matthew and Luke help us better understand the significance of Jesus’ birth?
What can we learn from the way each Gospel writer emphasized different parts of the same story to reach different audiences?
How should we explain to someone who believes the birth accounts contradict each other that they are actually consistent and trustworthy?