Victor Chen Ministries

Archaeological Find

Archeology has shown that the use of caves as animal stables in the Holy Land has been a common practice from very ancient times. Ancient records show that for at least two centuries before a church was built, Christians had marked this particular cave as the place of Jesus' birth.

Importance of the Find

Matthew 2:1-8, Luke 2:4-15, and John 7:42 all identify Bethlehem as the place of Jesus' birth. because Joseph and Mary could find no room at the village inn and the newborn Jesus was laid in a manger (animal feedbox), it has been assumed that the birth took place in a stable. Archeology and tradition combine in this instance to lend both accuracy and insight to the Gospel accounts.