There are two Apocryphal canonical texts. One is the “Old Testament Apocrypha” and one is the “New Testament Apocrypha”. They are not actually named this; however, it is easier to understand their context and time periods with this delineation.
The story of John the Baptist, how he came to the wilderness and how his father, Zechariah died as well as a fuller understanding of the birth of Jesus are some of the stories related in the “Infancy Gospel of James’ found in the NT Apocrypha.
After more than a year and a half, Joseph and Mary had to be back in Bethlehem. During their stay, they were visited by the Magi from the east who gave them enough money for a journey they didn’t know they were about to take. The Magi leave the gifts and that night, both Joseph and the Magi are warned in dreams to flee Bethlehem. The Magi are told to depart another way and Joseph is told to go to Egypt. Zechariah would have been in Bethlehem because his course to work in the temple would have been at that time. Elizabeth and John would probably have gone with him because she knew that Mary, Joseph and Jesus would also be in town for the yearly trek for a feast. We do not have any record of Elizabeth and Zechariah receiving any warning to flee. The next day there is commotion all over Bethlehem. They simply hear of the commotion in Bethlehem, so Elizabeth flees to the hill country with John and leaves Zechariah in Bethlehem. When the soldiers come to Zechariah, knowing that he is a priest and therefore knowing about him, they realize that his son is missing. I believe this is true, I believe that John sent Elizabeth and John away into the wilderness while he stayed in Bethlehem to keep the soldiers from pursuit. Zechariah responds to their inquiries about the whereabouts of John by stating that his duties as priest have kept him at the temple and away from home and so he is not aware of John’s location. The soldiers likely returned to Herod who then instructed them to kill Zechariah because it was commonly believed that John the Baptist was the Messiah and thereby rightful heir to the throne which Herod did not have the right to. Zechariah was killed that day between the altar and the temple. Jesus even mentioned this situation later in Matthew’s account and Luke’s:
Matthew 23:35
35 "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.”
Luke 11:51
51 "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.”
I believe this is why, 28 or so years later when John the Baptist comes on the scene, he comes out of the wilderness. He seemed painfully unaware that “normal towns people” didn’t wear camel skin or eat locusts and wild honey! Furthermore, there are many references and prophecies about John being the “Voice of one crying out in the wilderness” {John 1:23}.
Furthermore, I find it extremely difficult to believe that Jesus and John did not know each other as they appear to have had their first meeting at the Jordan river. It always bothered me that these cousins would know nothing of the other since Mary and Elizabeth seemed so close. However, using the story that is presented here, it is a much more reasonable explanation as to why they were unacquainted with one another. Scripture is not that hard to comprehend if we will allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us what we do not know!!
This version of the birth of the Savior was omitted from the original cannon for a reason- we just don’t know what that reason is. I am not saying this is doctrine or that it is something that should even be argued about, but it does give a very full picture of what might have happened. This is such an interesting and I believe entirely plausible account.
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