British adventurer and best-selling author Bear Grylls recently came under fire for describing Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, as a “Palestinian refugee” in a Christmas message on social media. X In a post on Christmas Day, Grylls talked about her upcoming book “The Greatest Story Ever Told: Eyewitness Testimony,” In it he explained: Mary is described as a “young, poor, and definitely frightened Palestinian girl.”
“Over the next few days, billions of people around the world will celebrate the birth of a Middle Eastern refugee who changed the course of the world forever 2,000 years ago,” he said. christian post reported.
“Let me tell you some of his stories. this This is a short excerpt from near the beginning of the adventure. When Mariam, a young, poor, and undoubtedly frightened Palestinian girl, gives birth to a baby in a dilapidated animal pen. was foretold For hundreds of years,” he added. “And yet she was not alone. And she never will be. For it was the moment when Almighty God entered directly into our fallen world. …For many of us, it definitely , the greatest story ever told.”
After Grylls' initial post, the 50-year-old outdoorsman faced backlash from critics, including the anti-Semitic movement, which claimed Mary “was a Jewish woman from Judea under Roman rule.”
“It wasn't until Jewish rule 100 years later that the area was called 'Palestine'.” was expelledEmperor Hadrian renamed it Syria-Palestine after the Bar Kokhba revolt in order to sever Jewish ties to the land,” the group said. tweeted In response.
Hello @BearGrylls,
A quick historical note: “Mariam” (Mary) was a Jewish woman from Judea under Roman rule.
The region did not become known as “Palestine” until 100 years later, after the Bar Kokhba revolt, when Jews (Jews) were expelled and Emperor Hadrian renamed it Syria-Palestine. https://t.co/br5iqkyGLr
— Antisemitism Campaign (@antisemitism) December 24, 2024
“For thousands of years since then, many people have believed his propaganda. Mary's family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod's persecution, but calling her a 'Palestinian refugee' not only imposes modern terminology on ancient history, but completely eradicates her Jewish identity. This is historical.'' If you want her story to be respected, tell it properly. . ”
in opinion article George Chesterton, author of the Telegraph, argues that Jesus was born in Judea during the Roman census, rather than as a refugee, and that the term “Palestine” was coined by the Romans during the Jewish revolt. He warned that calling them people is a historical omission.
“If we put aside the theological and historical absurdity of equating the Jews of 2,000 years ago with a political identity that did not exist, this is the crux of the matter. It reinforces the idea that he is a murderer. this It's something like shouted in senior citizen On the streets of London, Glasgow and Brighton. That was not something Jesus would approve of. After all, he was Jewish,” he wrote.
Mark Wallace, CEO of Total Politics, said: asked: “In what sense did Mary consider herself Palestinian? Historically, archaeologically, politically, religiously, geographically, ethnically, literally in every sense?”
In what sense did Mary consider herself Palestinian? Historically, archaeologically, politically, religiously, geographically, ethnically, literally in every sense?
— Mark Wallace (@wallaceme) December 24, 2024
Grylls' post also received a community note about X debunking his claims.
“They were not refugees. Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken. taken. Since Joseph belonged to the line of David, Joseph and Mary traveled to the city of Bethlehem in Judea (the city of David). ”
Grylls responded to the backlash by deleting the original post and reuploading it, but removing the word “Palestinian.””
“Just like that method of This is the answer to all the debates going on here about the part of the world where Mary lived. I called this area Palestine according to the maps found in most Bibles.” he I wrote. ”Scholars always go back and forth debating the technicalities of the exact dates by which different regions became known by their names, but in this case I'm simply talking about the greatest story ever told. It's just setting the stage for. When I say Palestine, I mean the general area where Mary lived. I'm not referring to her nationality or ethnicity. she was clearly Jews. ”
As an answer to all the discussion going on here about the part of the world where Mary lived. I called this area Palestine according to the maps found in most Bibles. Scholars always debate the exact technicalities of various dates.
— Bear Grylls OBE (@BearGrylls) December 26, 2024
“In answer to whether Jesus was a refugee, yes He was. maria, joseph and Jesus forced Escape your homeland and live as a refugee in the Egyptian desert. They were trying to escape Herod's order to kill all the young boys in Bethlehem. they are I'm finally back About four years later, he returned to his homeland. to Nazareth.”
he later added“And if you think Mary’s country of origin is controversial, wait until you read most of the content in The Greatest Story Ever Told! When you read the words of Jesus, You can see where it gets really confusing.”
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images
