The Star of Bethlehem appears during the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew when the Magi follows the sign to travel to Jerusalem. The star – as it has long said to have been – led the group to Jesus’ home, which is thought to have been a miracle. However, Dr Ernest Martin, a scientist and religious author claims to have worked out what this event in the sky really was.
Dr Martin, who sadly passed away in 2002, told viewers of Amazon Prime’s “Jesus: The Great Debate” how Herod, who was King at the time, helps end the debate.
He said in 1970: “In actual fact, Matthew said it was a star.
“In the first-century nomenclature, it could be either a planet, or it could be a fixed star in the heavens.
“The problem is not an astronomical one, it’s a historical one.
“Until recently, scholars have felt that Herod – who was alive when Jesus was born – died in the year 4BC.
