Similarities

Jesus is born in Bethlehem during the days of Herod but spends his youth in Nazareth.

Matt. 2:1, 5–6, 23

Luke 2:4–6, 11, 15, 39

Jesus belongs to the family of David.

Matt. 1:1, 6

Luke 2:4; 3:31

Mary is the mother of Jesus, and Joseph is his legal father.

Matt. 1:16–21, 25

Luke 1:35; 2:16, 41, 48

Jesus is born from a miraculous virginal conception announced in advance by an angel.

Matt. 1:18–25

Luke 1:26–38

The name “Jesus” is chosen by God.

Matt. 1:21

Luke 1:31

The family of Jesus must undertake difficult travel due to oppressive political rule.

Matt. 2:7–8, 12–18

Luke 2:1–7

Jesus’s birth is presented as the fulfillment of scriptural promises to Israel.

Matt. 1:22–23; 2:5–6

Luke 1:54–55

Even at birth, Jesus is rejected by some and inspires worship in others.

Matt. 2:10–11, 16–18

Luke 2:7, 20

Differences

Matthew explains why the family must move from Bethlehem to Nazareth.

Matt. 2:13, 19–23

Luke explains why they must travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Luke 2:2–5

In Matthew, the genealogy of Jesus runs from Abraham to Jesus.

Matt. 1:1–16

In Luke, the genealogy runs in the opposite direction, from Jesus to Adam.

Luke 3:23–38

In Matthew, Joseph is the central character of the story.

Matt. 1:18–25

In Luke, the central character is Mary.

Luke 1:26–56

In Matthew, the angel comes to Joseph to announce the virginal conception.

Matt. 1:20–21

In Luke, this angelic announcement is made to Mary.

Luke 1:26–38

In Matthew, Jesus is given an additional name, “Immanuel.”

Matt. 1:23

In Luke, Jesus is given an additional name (or title), “Son of the Most High God.”

Luke 1:32

In Matthew, the family of Jesus must flee the wrath of King Herod.

Matt. 2:13–22

In Luke, Caesar Augustus is responsible for the family’s burdensome travel.

Luke 2:1–5

In Matthew, the events are said to fulfill quotations from the Old Testament that are cited directly.

Matt. 1:22; 2:15, 17, 23

In Luke, Old Testament Scriptures provide the background for various hymns and canticles.

Luke 1:46–55, 68–79; 2:14, 29–32

In Matthew, the birth of Jesus is noticed by the powerful and the wealthy, who respond with either worship or fear.

Matt. 2:1–12

In Luke, the birth is revealed to peasants who respond with both fear and worship.

Luke 2:8–20