Shepherds Field in Bethlehem
The Shepherds’ Field in Bethlehem is a phrase that evokes images of humble men tending their flocks under the night sky, suddenly illuminated by the glory of God as angels announce the birth of the Messiah. This scene, recorded in the Gospel of Luke, is not only a cherished part of the nativity scene narrative but also rich with theological and historical meaning. To understand the full significance of the shepherds’ field, it is essential to explore its biblical context, its place in salvation history, and its enduring legacy in Christian tradition and pilgrimage.
The Biblical Account in Luke’s Gospel
The primary scriptural account of the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem is found in Luke 2:8-20. Luke writes: “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” (Luke 2:8-14).
The shepherds respond in faith and haste, seeking out the newborn Jesus: “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them” (Luke 2:15-20).
Theological and Symbolic Significance of the Shepherds’ Field
The choice of shepherds as the first recipients of the angelic announcement is deeply significant. In the cultural context of first-century Judea, shepherds were often viewed as lowly and marginalized, yet they were entrusted with the care of flocks, a vital role in the agrarian and religious society. Theologically, their presence in the nativity narrative highlights several key themes.
First, the announcement to shepherds underscores the inclusivity of the gospel. Shepherds were unlikely candidates to first hear the good news of Christ’s birth, yet were selected as those who represented God bringing His good news to all people, regardless of their place in society. This echoes the prophetic tradition of God’s concern for the humble and the outcast (see, Isaiah 61:1-2; Micah 4:6-7).
Second, the shepherds’ field evokes Old Testament imagery. King David, Israel’s greatest king and ancestor of Jesus, was himself a shepherd in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:11-13). The messianic expectation was that the new Davidic king would be born in Bethlehem, “the city of David” (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4). The shepherds, tending their flocks in the same region, become living witnesses to the fulfillment of these prophecies.
Third, the shepherd motif is a recurring biblical symbol for God’s care and guidance. Psalm 23 famously declares, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Jesus later identifies himself as the “Good Shepherd” who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). The shepherds’ encounter with the newborn Christ thus foreshadows the shepherding role that Jesus will embody throughout his ministry.
Location and Historical Context of the Shepherds Field in Bethlehem
The “Shepherds’ Field” is traditionally located in the region just east of Bethlehem, about six miles south of Jerusalem. The Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions each maintain sites commemorating the shepherds’ encounter with the angels. The area is characterized by open fields and caves, which were commonly used by shepherds as shelters for themselves and their flocks.
While the precise location cannot be determined with absolute certainty, the biblical text is clear that the shepherds were “in the same region” as Bethlehem (Luke 2:8). Archaeological and historical evidence supports the plausibility of shepherds tending flocks in this area, especially given Bethlehem’s proximity to Jerusalem and its role in providing sacrificial lambs for the temple.
Can You Visit Where Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem?
The traditional site of Jesus’ birth is marked by the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. Built over a cave believed to be the location of the manger, the church has been a destination for Christian pilgrims since the fourth century. Nearby, the Shepherds’ Field is also accessible to visitors, with chapels and archaeological remains commemorating the angelic announcement to the shepherds.
While the exact historical accuracy of these sites cannot be guaranteed, they serve as powerful reminders of the biblical events and have played a significant role in Christian devotion and tradition.
Where Is Shepherds’ Field?
Shepherds’ Field is located in the modern town of Beit Sahour, just east of Bethlehem. The area features both Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic chapels, each claiming to mark the site where the angels appeared to the shepherds. The fields themselves are still used for grazing sheep, preserving a tangible connection to the biblical narrative.
Boaz’s Field and its Relation to Bethlehem
The mention of fields in Bethlehem also recalls the story of Ruth and Boaz in the Old Testament. Ruth, a Moabite widow, gleaned in the fields of Boaz, a relative of her deceased husband, during the barley harvest (Ruth 2:1-3). Boaz’s kindness to Ruth, a foreigner, is highlighted in Ruth 2:10: “Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, ‘Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?’” (Ruth 2:10).
Boaz’s field was in Bethlehem, and his marriage to Ruth established the lineage that would lead to David, and ultimately to Jesus (Ruth 4:13-22; Matthew 1:5-6). The fields of Bethlehem thus become a place where God’s providence and grace are repeatedly revealed, from Ruth and Boaz to the shepherds and the birth of Christ.
Old Testament Foreshadowing and Fulfillment
The “Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem” is not an isolated detail but part of a larger tapestry of biblical themes. The prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).
This prophecy is explicitly cited in Matthew 2:6 as being fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. The connection between Bethlehem, shepherds, and the Davidic line is thus deeply rooted in the Old Testament and brought to fruition in the New Testament narrative. The shepherds’ response to the angelic message is one of faith and obedience. They go “with haste” to see the child and then become the first evangelists, spreading the news of what they have seen and heard (Luke 2:17-18).