The Star and Star Map
The Stars of Bethlehem: A Scribe Who Studied the Kingdom of Heaven -Part 1
By Kenneth. Beckmann
Copyright 2021, Kenneth Beckmann. All rights reserved.
Abstract: For more than two thousand years, the Star of Bethlehem has remained an enigma in the light of biblical scholarship and astronomical research. In 1984, Dr. Dorrit Hoffleit wrote an article in the Journal of the AAVSO, Volume 13 Number 1 entitled “The Christmas Star, Novae and Pulsars.”The article described Carolyn Murphy-Beehler’s discovery of an ancient star map of the Star of Bethlehem in the catacomb of Priscilla at Rome. Recently, as a result of research and investigation, clues and a key were uncovered in Matthew’s Gospel that demonstrate the Star on the star map in the catacomb and the Star in Matthew’s Gospel may be one and the same. This article will demonstrate how two observations, one, the Star at the rising in the East and the other, the Star that went before them (Magi) until it came and stood over where the child was at Bethlehem provided an indisputable argument that the Star of 5 BC (the Star on the star map in the catacomb) accurately described the Star of Bethlehem Matthew spoke of in his Gospel.
Keywords: Star of Bethlehem, Gospel of Matthew, Star of 5 BC, Magi, astronomy, astrology, Christ’s birth, comets, novae.
I. Introduction
The Star of Bethlehem’s identity, a two thousand year old astronomical enigma, rests on the testimony of a Greek speaking Jewish-Christian who penned an infancy narrative of Jesus of Nazareth as part of the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew around or before the end of the first century (60-85 CE). The writer, a Jewish-Christian scribe, lived in a village near or at Edessa, Mesopotamia (modern Urfa, Turkey).[1] Besides his familiarity with the Old Testament (OT) and an evolving Christian gospel message which originated in Jerusalem and circulated throughout parts of the Near East, Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, the author was familiar with astrology (a rudimentary form of astronomy).
The gospel writer left clues and a key in Matthew 2:1-12, 16 which served as a possible link between the Star of Bethlehem in Matthew’s Gospel and a painting of a Star and star map in the catacomb of Priscilla (a first century Christian missionary and martyr) at Rome. Matthew wrote about a Star that appeared as much as ninety years earlier, long before he penned his Gospel.
In 1984, Dr. Dorrit Hoffleit wrote an article entitled, “The Christmas Star, Novae and Pulsars” which appeared in the Journal of the AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers). Dr. Hoffleit’s work was based on research conducted by Carolyn Murphy-Beehler (a Tucson, Arizona artist) who visited the catacomb of Priscilla at Rome in 1980. Ms. Murphy-Beehler noticed an older, partially hidden painting of a woman and her infant child seated while a man standing and dressed in royal attire pointed to a Star. This painting was partially concealed by a more recent one of a shepherd tending sheep in an apple orchid. The arrangement of apples in the tree vaguely resembled stars on a star map. Beehler surmised that the older partially hidden painting represented the Star of Bethlehem and its position among the stars of the northern summer Milky Way. Based on her research, Dr. Hoffleit suggested that the Star in the catacomb closely resembled a transient in the Zodiacal constellation of Capricornus, the Sea Goat that appeared for a brief time in 5 BC.[2] The transient, the Star of 5 BC, appeared near the ecliptic and about midway between α and β Capricorni and the handle of the Teapot in the Zodiacal constellation of Sagittarius, the Archer. Hoffleit stated the Star of 5 BC (less likely a comet and more likely a bright nova) was a probable candidate for the Star of Bethlehem.[3]
Based on Dr. Hoffleit and Carolyn Murphy-Beehler’s conclusions, I used their findings as a template to determine if two observations (Matthew 2:2b, 7, 16 and 2:9-10) Matthew left about the Star in his Gospel might be one and the same Star on the star map in the catacomb of Priscilla at Rome. My findings demonstrated a possible match between the position of the Star on the star map in the catacomb and the Star Matthew spoke of in his Gospel. Matthew composed this account of the Star of Bethlehem and the visit of the Magi to reach an audience of star worshipers in northern Mesopotamia. While reaching out to this new audience, the gospel writer was also presenting an apology or defense for the Christian Gospel against the over reach of astrology and star worship which had infiltrated some churches of Mesopotamia, the Near East and Asia Minor.[4]
[1] Bacon, Benjamin, Studies in Matthew, 1930, New York: Henry Holt & Co., p. 36. While current tradition suggests the Gospel of Matthew was written at Antioch, Syria, Bacon suggested the Gospel of Matthew may have been written at Edessa, Mesopotamia where star worship (astrology) was held in high regard.
[2] Williams, John, F.S.A., Observations of Comets, from BC 611 to AD 1640, Assistant Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society, Extracted From the Chinese Annals, 1871, London: Strange Ways and Walden, p 9-10. Star of 5 BC: (Entry 52) “March 5 BC - In the reign of the Emperor Gae Te, the 2nd year of the epoch Keen Ping, the 2nd moon, a comet appeared in Keen New for about 70 days. Emperor Gae Te, B. C. 6-1; epoch Keen Ping, 6-3: 2nd year, 2nd moon B. C. 5 March Keen New, same as S D New, determined by Alpha, Beta &c Capricorni (M. T. L.) Ho Peng-Yoke, (Vistas Astronomy., 5, 127-225) translated the Chinese text which William attributed to Ma Twan Lin (M.T.L.). He stated that the comet of 5 BC appeared between March 9th and April 7th, 5 BC. In ancient China, the beginning of a month occurred at the first appearance of a new moon. In 5 BC, the second new moon of the year appeared on March 9th. This did not mean that the Star of 5 BC appeared on the same date as the new moon; only that it appeared sometime during the second month of the Chinese year (between March 9th and April 7th). Since it is impossible to provide an exact date when the comet first appeared, descriptions Matthew and Luke left in their gospels may help to narrow the range of dates when the Star appeared in the heavens. If the Magi left their homeland before March 9th, it is possible that another celestial event motivated the Magi to journey to Jerusalem.
[3] Hoffleit, Dorrit Journal of the AAVSO, “The Christmas Star, Novae and Pulsars,” 1984, Volume 13 No. 1, Cambridge: AAVSO, p 15-20.
[4] Schaff, Philipp, The Ante Nicene Fathers, Volume 3, 1897, England T. & T. Publishers, P. 65,”The interpreters of the stars were the first to announce Christ’s birth, the first to present him gifts. However, this practice has been allowed to the (Gentiles) until the Gospel, in order that after Christ’s birth, no one should thereafter interpret anyone’s birth by the heavens.” P. 66,”After the Gospel, you will nowhere find sophists, Chaldeans, enchanters, diviners or magicians – except as clearly punished. You know nothing astrologer, if you do not know that you should be a Christian. If you did know it, you should have known this also that you should have nothing to do with that profession of yours.” Tertullian (c. 200 CE), an early church leader, wrote these texts because he was deeply disturbed and troubled by astrology’s over reach in the second century Christian Church more than one hundred years after Matthew wrote his Gospel. Rather than attack former stars worshipers who converted to Christianity, Tertullian attacked those who made a profession of astrology implying to those who converted that astrology would not be tolerated in the Christian church.
II. Baskets for the Star and the Magi
In an effort to identify the Star Matthew described in his Gospel and its connection to the Star on the star map in the catacomb of Priscilla at Rome, I conducted a biblical exegesis of Matthew 2:1-12, 16. Unlike other exegesis that addresses form, literary style, author, date, etc., I separated verses about the Magi at Jerusalem and Bethlehem from verses about the Star of Bethlehem.
We will call the bold text the Basket of Magi verses. We will call the italicized text the Basket of Star verses. This should help establish if Matthew borrowed from and later edited an ancient pre-gospel tradition to pen the infancy narrative. (A pre-gospel tradition described early Christian practices and beliefs in oral or written form that preceded writings found in the Bible’s New Testament (NT). In Matthew 2:1-12, 16, “wise men” are otherwise known as Magi, a priestly cult who studied and followed the teachings of Balaam, a secular prophet in the OT.)
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” When Herod the King had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when they had gathered all chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, “In Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it is written by the prophet: “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” Then Herod when he had privately called the wise men diligently inquired of them what time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” When they had heard the king, they departed and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” (Matt. 2:1-12, KJV).
“Then Herod when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, he was exceedingly angry, and sent forth and killed all the children that were in Bethlehem, and all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he (Herod) diligently inquired of the wise men.” (Matt. 2:16, KJV)
Next, let’s review both Baskets individually to see how Matthew may have viewed each before combining or editing the two to become one.
(Basket of Magi verses) “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? We are come to worship him!” When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, for thus it is written by the prophet: “And thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” Then Herod when he had privately called the wise men, he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” (Matt. 2:1-12, KJV)
“Then Herod when he saw that he was mocked of the Magi, he was exceedingly angry and sent forth and killed all the children that were in Bethlehem, and all the coasts thereof” (Matt. 2:16, KJV).
(Basket of Star verses) “We have seen his star in the east,(Matt. 2:2b, KJV). Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. (Matt. 2:7, KJV). When they had heard the king, they departed and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (Matt. 2:9-10, KJV) “From two years old and under, according to the time that he (Herod) diligently inquired of the wise men.”(Matt. 2:16, KJV).
Noticed how the bold text, the Basket of Magi verses, flowed naturally as if allowed to stand alone. On the other hand, the italicized text, the Basket of Star verses appeared fragmented.
Separating the Basket of Magi verses and those verses dedicated to the Star of Bethlehem demonstrated Matthew cleverly edited Mathew 2:1-2a, c, 3-6, 8, 11-12, 13-15 and 16a by adding Matthew 2:2b, 7, 9-10 and 16b at strategic points within the text to give a description of the Star of Bethlehem and render the Magi’s visit to Bethlehem to appear genuine. (Astronomical observations served as an accurate celestial/geographical timepiece then as they do today. In Matthew’s day, an observation involved a celestial object’s position in the heavens relative to a geographical point on the earth’s surface from where an observer stood.)
For example, the Greek translation of Matthew 2:2b is as follows: We saw for Him the Star in the East.[1] In the East could be translated as a star “at its helical rising.” That is, a star seen from where the observer stood rising from the abyss (eastern horizon) shortly before sunrise. In Matthew’s day, the void beneath the eastern horizon was known as the abyss (Romans 8:38-39). To speak of a star at its helical rising was to describe an astronomical observation. The Star until it came and stood over where the young child was (Matt. 2:9-10, KJV) represented a second observation. The second observation described the Star of Bethlehem’s position from where an observer stood as it appeared in the skies over Bethlehem.
The Baskets of Magi verses and the Basket of Star verses (two unit theory) demonstrated Matthew combined two separate pre-gospel traditions into one. The Basket of Magi verses were obtained from an early pre-gospel tradition, perhaps an itinerant Christian apostle, teacher or preacher with little or no knowledge of astronomy or astrology. The Basket of Star verses required an elementary knowledge of astrology. If the Star of 5 BC was the Star of Bethlehem which Matthew wrote about in his Gospel, it is almost certain Matthew drew information about the transient from another pre-Gospel tradition.
It is within the realm of possibility that an itinerant Christian preacher visited Matthew’s house church, delivered a message (the Basket of Magi verses), inspiring Matthew to include them in his Gospel. Unlike the itinerant Christian preacher who knew little or nothing of astronomy or astrology, Matthew understood the heavens; the movements of the stars and planets. In order to correctly describe the position and behavior of the Star of Bethlehem, the two observations would necessarily consist of that first moment it was seen rising from the abyss and the last moments the Star would be seen, for example, shortly before sunrise. Matthew would have had to know how to sufficiently incorporate these two observations for the text to appear intelligible and to accurately describe an actual eye witness observation.
Matthew recognized that the motivation for the Magi’s visit to Bethlehem suggested something wonderful had happened in the heavens. While one may assume Matthew knew about the Magi’s astrological craft, let’s be cautious not to imagine that Matthew understood how the Magi employed their craft generating regal horoscopes. Matthew had sufficient knowledge to correctly edit and strategically incorporate and position the Basket of Star verses within the Basket of Magi verses.
While it is possible that Matthew 2:1-12, 16 may be a single unit, the two unit theory has far more traction. As I said, how many itinerant Christian preachers understood astrology? Few! These two observations (Matthew 2:2b, 7, 16b and Matthew 2:9-10) of the Star of Bethlehem if proven to be that of the Star of 5 BC would flatly reject any thought that Matthew 2:1-12, 16 was originally a single unit or at best an infancy narrative with little or no historical or celestial accuracy. By separating the Basket of Magi verses from the Basket of Star verses, we may be able to understand Matthew’s motivation as well as recognize his skill editing Matthew 2:1-2a, 3-6, 8, 11-12, 16a which gave the appearance the Magi followed the Star to Bethlehem.
By placing the verses dedicated to the Magi in one basket and those dedicated to Star of Bethlehem in another, there is high confidence that the infancy narrative was the work of a least two authors, one, a Christian apostle, teacher or preacher (Matthew 2:1-2a, 3-6, 8, 11-12, 13-15, 16a, 17-18, 19-23) and the other, an individual who was familiar with or knowledgeable about astrology/astronomy (Matthew 2:2b, 7, 16 and 2:9-10). There is additional support for the two unit theory. By separating the two baskets, as I said earlier, the Basket of Magi verses are able to stand alone. This may imply that the Magi did not need a Star to find their way to Bethlehem. The Magi had Matthew 2:5-6 (a prophecy from OT Book of Micah, the prophet) to lead the way.[6)
The Basket of Star verses was the result of clever, brilliant editing on Matthew’s part. The Basket of Magi verses were gathered shortly after Christ’s resurrection when the early Church began collecting the disciples’ memoirs about the Christian Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.
The Basket of Star verses was based on what appears to have been two actual eyewitness account(s) of observations of the Star of Bethlehem. If the Star in Matthew’s Gospel was the Star of 5 BC, the Basket of Star verses should provide a roadmap which will eventually reveal the identity, position, movement and a range of dates when the Star of Bethlehem rose from the abyss and later appeared in the skies over Bethlehem.
[5] Strong, James, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 1890, Nashville: Abingdon. The original Greek of Matthew 2:2 read: εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ. Translated from Greek to English: “We saw for of Him the Star in the east and are come to worship Him.”
[6] Micah 5:2, (KJV) “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.”
The Stars of Bethlehem: A Scribe Who Studied the Kingdom of Heaven
by Kenneth Beckmann
Copyright2021, Kenneth Beckmann. All rights reserved.
The Magi having left their home in Mesopotamia, traveling to Jerusalem to pay homage to the Messiah!