How do you deal with a contradiction where an event is attributed to two different known dates? Matthew says Jesus was born in the reign of Herod the Great who died in 4 BC. Luke says he was born when Quirinius governed Syria. Quirinius took office in 6 AD. Those administrations are separated by 10 years. One of the Gospels has to be wrong.
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>> “One of the Gospels has to be wrong.”
Or possibly misunderstood.
The alignment with astronomic events sides with Matthew.
Luke was not a disciple of Yeshua, and got his information handed down to him by people that were not themselves literate.
All that we have of the NT writings other than Matthew, are copies of copies, of coies... and in most cases translations from the native language into Greek, likely through the assistance of Pharisee sages that were not believers!
Fortunately in the case of Matthew’s gospel, there are still copies in the native language spread throughout the world. (and still not much discrepancy with the other gospels)
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Herod Achelaus was in power for 9 years after Herod the great and his rule included Judea. When Herod the Great died, Ceasar Augustus divided Herod the Great kingdoms into 4 parts according to his rule. Herod Achelaus was judged incompetent in 6 AD(when Quirinius was in power) and his rule given to another brother named Herod(Antipas). There...the contradiction is solved.