Preface: Luke 2 begins with the birth of Jesus and takes us to Him as an adult. The emphasis of most of this chapter is the events which are related to the Lord’s birth in Bethlehem. At the end of this chapter, there is a very important section about Jesus at age 12.

Bible Summary: Mary gave birth in Bethlehem. Angels sent shepherds to see the child. Jesus was presented at the temple. He grew in wisdom and stature.

This should be the most extensive examination of Luke 2 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Quotations:

 

Augustine: “He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.”

 

A Thousand Times in History (a graphic quote); from Pinterest; accessed May 1, 2020

 

Calvin Coolidge: “To the American People: Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.”

 

Benjamin Franklin: “How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, His precepts!”

 

Ronald Reagan: “Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeers, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a teacher would answer if a student asked why it was called Christmas.”

 

Frederick Buechner: “It is impossible to conceive how different things would have turned out if that birth had not happened whenever, wherever, however it did … for millions of people who have lived since, the birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of living it. It is a truth that, for twenty centuries, there have been untold numbers of men and women who, in untold numbers of ways, have been so grasped by the child who was born, so caught up in the message he taught and the life he lived, that they have found themselves profoundly changed by their relationship with him.”

 

Robert Louis Stevenson (a graphic quote); from AZ quotes; accessed May 1, 2020.

 

Greg Laurie (a graphic quote); from Quote Master; accessed May 1, 2020.

 

John MacArthur: “There is no connection between the worship of idols and the use of Christmas trees. We should not be anxious about baseless arguments against Christmas decorations. Rather, we should be focused on the Christ of Christmas and giving all diligence to remembering the real reason for the season.”

 

J.I. Packer: “The Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the Incarnation.”

 

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” ~Norman Vincent Peale

 

“You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father’s face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.” ~John R. Rice

 

“Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born king.” Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! ~Charles Wesley

 

Frederick Buechner (a graphic quote); from Famous Quotes; accessed May 3, 2020.

 

Billy Graham: “God did not send His heavenly angelic hordes to accomplish His majestic purpose, but He sent a tiny, tender, helpless babe in the person of His son.”

 

Billy Graham: “But why did Jesus leave heaven’s glory and come down to live amid earth’s filth and corruption? He came for one reason: to save us from our sins.”

 

Henry Hon, From ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose from House to House: “God became a real man, had a real birth, and had a real, physical body. This is an essential point of the Christian faith”

 

Frederick Buechner (another graphic quote); from Pinterest; accessed May 3, 2020.

 

It should be obvious that, when investigating substantive and provocative quotations on the birth of our Lord, there is no end to them. I have no doubts that, sometime in the near future, I will run into additional ones that I cannot bear to leave out.

Outline of Chapter 2:

         Preface               Preface

         Preface               A Thousand Times in History (a graphic quote)

         Preface               Robert Louis Stevenson (a graphic quote)

         Preface               Greg Laurie (a graphic quote)

         Preface               Frederick Buechner (a graphic quote)

         Preface               Frederick Buechner (another graphic quote)

         Preface 

         Preface 

         Preface               Introduction

         vv.     1–3           Historical Context for Chapter 2

         vv.     4–7           Mary Gives Birth to Jesus in Bethlehem

         vv.     8–20         The Angel Guides Shepherds to See the Infant Jesus

         vv.     21           Jesus is Circumcised on the Eighth Day

         vv.    22–24         Jesus is Presented in the Temple

         vv.    25–35         Simeon Encounters the Infant Messiah in the Temple

         vv.    36–38         Anna the Prophetess Gives Thanks for the Lord in the Temple

         vv.    39–40         The Return to Nazareth/the Growth of Jesus

         vv.    41–50         A 12-Year-Old Jesus Speaks with the Scholars at the Temple

         vv.    51–52         Mary Remembers These Incidents/Jesus Grows Spiritually and Physically

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Luke 2 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Luke 2 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Luke 2

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel of Luke 2

         Introduction         The Principals of Luke 2

         Introduction         The Places of Luke 2

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Luke 2

         Introduction         Outline of Luke 2: Jesus’ Life Prior to His Public Ministry

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Luke 2 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Shmoop Summary of Luke 2

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Luke 2 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Luke –)

         Introduction         Paragraph Divisions of Modern Translation for Luke 2

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

         v. 

         v.       1              Augustus Cæsar (Octavian) (a graphic)

         v.       1              The Roman Empire under Augustus (a map)

         v. 

         v.       3              Palestine Under Herod the Great (a map)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.       7              The Firstborn in the New Testament

         v.       7              "What does it mean that baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes?"

         v. 

         v.       7              A Child Has Been Born for Us (a graphic)

         v. 

         v.       9              And there were shepherds... (a graphic)

         v.       9              The Glory of the Lord

         v.       9              The Annunciation Of The Angels To The Shepherds (by Benjamin Gerritsz. Cuyp)

         v.       9              A Review of Luke 2:6–8

         v.       9              Miracles in the Bible

         v. 

         v.      10              A Brief Review of Luke 2:8–10b

         v.      11              Isaiah 9:6 (a graphic)

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      15              Is the Angel of Luke 2:8–15 the Lord?

         v.      15              When Does Life Begin?/A Discussion of Abortion

         v.      16              A Short Review of Luke 2:8–15

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         v.      28              Simeon’s Moment (Artwork By Ron Dicianni)

         v. 

         v.      29              Simeon the Righteous (an oil painting by Alexey Yegorov)

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         v.      38              Presenting Jesus in the Temple (an artistic rendition)

         v.      38              Anna and Simeon with the Christ Child (a painting)

         v. 

         v.      39              The Trip to Egypt Interlude (Matthew 2:7–23)

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      39              Contradictions between Matthew and Luke

         v.      39              Contradictions/Disparities between Matthew and Luke

         v. 

         v.      40              What is the kenosis? (from Got Questions)

         v.      40              Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union (from Maranatha Church)

         v.      40              Links to the Doctrine of the Hypostatic Union

         v. 

         v.      41              Doctrine of the Passover

         v.      41              When I see the Blood (a verse and graphic)

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      46              Jesus Sitting Among the Teachers (a painting by Vasily Polenov 1896)

         v.      46              A Brief Review of Luke 2:43–46/60 Minutes Show

         v.      47              Emphasizing a particular group of Scriptures

         v.      47              The Boy Jesus in the Temple (a graphic)

         v.      47              Jesus Speaking with the Teachers (a graphic)

         v.      48              My Father’s Business (a picture by Harold Copping)

         v. 

         v.      50              Luke 2:49–50 The Lord’s Parents Did Not Understand His Words

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      52              Doctrine of GAP (The Grace Apparatus for Perception)

         v.      52              Theological Terms from the Doctrine of GAP

         v.      52              Operation Z (graphic)

         v. 

         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Luke 2 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Luke 2

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Luke 2

         Summary 

Summary

Summary

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Luke 2

         Addendum          Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Luke 2

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Luke 2

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An Introduction to Luke 2

I ntroduction: Luke 1 dealt primarily with birth of John the Baptizer (and the events leading up to that); Luke 2 will deal primarily with the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ (and the events leading to His birth). Literarily speaking, John the Herald precedes the Christ.

Just as Luke 1, at the final verses, seemed to jump ahead 30 years, so Luke 2 will do.

Luke 1 has no parallels in the other gospels; but there will be some common passages in Luke 2 which may be found elsewhere. However, there will be a considerable amount of narrative in this chapter recorded only by Luke.

The key is Luke assembled his gospel much differently from the others. Matthew and John both wrote what they themselves saw and remembered (for the most part); and Mark wrote about what Peter saw and remembered (for the most part).

Luke was apparently not a part of this movement until a considerable way into Acts (Acts 16:10, to be precise). When he became a part of Paul’s traveling seminary, he came into contact with dozens of people who saw the Lord and heard and experienced the Lord’s ministry. At some point, Luke became very interested in recording what he had been told. As a general rule, the portions of the book of Luke which are not found anywhere else are things which Matthew, Peter and John did not personally experience—they may have been unaware of these incidents.

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Historical Context for Chapter 2

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    And he is in the days those has gone out a decree of Cæsar Augustus to enroll all the world. This census, a first, was from a governor of Syria, Cyrenius. And kept departing all to register each [one] to the his city.

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled.

This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.

And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And in those days it occurred, that a decree went forth from Augustus Caesar, that all the people of his dominion should be enrolled.

And this enrollment was first made under the presidency of Quirinus in Syria.

And everyone went to his own city to be enrolled.

Original Aramaic NT              But it occurred in those days that a command also went out from Augustus Caesar that every nation* of his empire would be registered. This census was the first in the government of Quraynus in Syria. And everyone was going to be registered in his own city.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         AND it happened in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, to take a census of all the people in his empire. This first census took place during the governorship of Quirinius in Syria. And every man went to be registered in his own city.

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             Now it came about in those days that an order went out from Caesar Augustus that there was to be a numbering of all the world.

This was the first numbering, which was made when Quirinius was ruler of Syria.

And all men went to be numbered, everyone to his town.

Bible in Worldwide English     About that time, Augustus the Roman ruler made a law. All the people in the world must have their names written down in a book. This was the first time names were written in a book in this way. Quirinius was the ruler of Syria at that time. Everyone went to his home town to have his name written in the book.

Easy English                          Jesus is born

While Mary’s baby was growing inside her, Caesar Augustus was ruling the whole Roman world. He ordered his men, ‘Count everyone who is in the Roman world.’ This was the first time that the Romans had counted everyone. Quirinius was the Roman ruler of Syria at this time.

Caesar Augustus was the most powerful ruler of the whole Roman world. He had a large army and he ruled over many countries. He lived in the big city called Rome. This was the capital of the Roman world.

So everyone went to his own home town for the Romans to count them.

Easy-to-Read Version–2001  At that time, Augustus Cæsar sent out an order to all people in the countries that were under Roman rule. The order said that all people must write their name in a book (register). This was the first registration. It happened while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All people traveled to their own towns to be registered.

Easy-to-Read Version–2006  The Birth of Jesus Christ

It was about that same time that Augustus Caesar sent out an order to all people in the countries that were under Roman rule. The order said that everyone’s name must be put on a list. This was the first counting of all the people while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone traveled to their own hometowns to have their name put on the list.

God’s Word™                         Jesus Is Born

At that time the Emperor Augustus ordered a census of the Roman Empire. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All the people went to register in the cities where their ancestors had lived.

Good News Bible (TEV)         The Birth of Jesus

At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown.

The Message                         The Birth of Jesus

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.

Names of God Bible               .

NIRV                                      Jesus Is Born

In those days, Caesar Augustus made a law. It required that a list be made of everyone in the whole Roman world. It was the first time a list was made of the people while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to their own town to be listed.

New Life Version                    The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus sent out word that the name of every person in the Roman nation must be written in the books of the nation. This first writing took place while Quirinius was ruler of Syria.

So all the people went to their own cities to have their names written in the books of the nation.

New Simplified Bible              .

The Spoken English NT         The Birth of Jesus (Mt. 1:18-25)
Now, as it happened, a decree went out at that timea from Caesar Augustus:b the whole world was to be registered in a census. This was the first census, when Quiriniusc was governor of Syria. Everybody was going to get registered: each person went to their own city.

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       About that time Emperor Augustus gave orders for the names of all the people to be listed in record books. These first records were made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to go to their own hometown to be listed.

The Living Bible                     About this time Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the nation. (This census was taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

Everyone was required to return to his ancestral home for this registration.

New Berkeley Version           .

New Century Version             The Birth of Jesus

At that time, Augustus Caesar sent an order that all people in the countries under Roman rule must list their names in a register. This was the first registration; [Census. A counting of all the people and the things they own] it was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to their own towns to be registered.

New Living Translation           The Birth of Jesus

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.

The Passion Translation        .

Unlocked Dynamic Bible        Around that time Caesar Augustus sent out an official order that every person living under Roman rule must be registered in a public record. This first happened during the time that Quirinius was governing the province of Syria. So everyone had to go to his family’s hometown to be registered.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          Back in those days, Caesar Augustus had decreed that everyone in the land had to be registered, and this first registration took place when QuiRinius was the governor of Syria. So, everyone had to return to his hometown to be registered.

Beck’s American Translation .

Common English Bible           Jesus’ birth

In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled.

International Standard V        The Birth of Jesus

Now in those days an order was published by Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be registered. This was the first registration taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all the people went to their hometowns to be registered.

Len Gane Paraphrase           And so it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be taxed. (This enrollment was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) All went to be enrolled; every to his own city.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles About that time, Cesar Augustus issued an edict, that all the inhabitants of the empire should be registered. (This first register took effect, when Cyrenius was president of Syria.) When all went to be registered, every one of his own city,...

New Advent (Knox) Bible       It happened that a decree went out at this time from the emperor Augustus, enjoining that the whole world should be registered; this register was the first one made during the time when Cyrinus was governor of Syria.^[1] All must go and give in their names, each in his own city;...

^[1] There is here an ambiguity in the Greek, and some have thought the sense to be, ‘This was the register which was made before Cyrinus was governor of Syria’. (The same doubt arises in Mt. 26.17.) This gives an excellent sense; St Luke would be explaining that this was not the well-known census of the year 6 a.d., which led to an insurrection (Ac. 5.37), but an earlier one. But the facts of Quirinius’ career are not fully recorded.

20^th Century New Testament .

Williams’ New Testament      Now in those days an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census of the whole world should be taken. This, the first census, was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. So everyone was going to his own town to register.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Alpha & Omega Bible            NOW IN THOSE DAYS A DECREE WENT OUT FROM CAESAR AUGUSTUS, THAT A CENSUS BE TAKEN OF ALL THE INHABITED EARTH. †(Augustus claimed to be Theos. He had previously been known as "Octavius." He is the Roman emperor who conquered Cleopatra) THIS WAS THE FIRST CENSUS TAKEN WHILE QUIRINIUS WAS GOVERNOR OF SYRIA. †(Judea/Israel was a province of Syria under the Roman Empire. It was Syrian soldiers, under the Roman Empire, that destroyed the Temple in 70 A.D. & who burned the original New Testament scriptures) AND EVERYONE WAS ON HIS WAY TO REGISTER FOR THE CENSUS, EACH TO HIS OWN CITY.

Awful Scroll Bible                   More over itself occurred from-within those days, that there went-out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited land itself is to cause-to-be-written. This-same causation-to-be-written itself came about first, a coming about by Cyrenius, he governing Syria. Now all themselves retain to proceed to become caused-to-be-written, each to his own city.

Breakthrough Version            It happened in those days; a rule went out from the side of Caesar Augustus to be registering all the civilized world. This registration first happened as Cyrenius was the leader of Syria. And all were traveling to be registered, each to his own city.

Christian Standard Bible        The Birth of Jesus

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire [Or the whole inhabited world] should be registered. This first registration took place while [Or This registration was the first while, or This registration was before] Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

Conservapedia Translation    And so it fell out in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, requiring that all the inhabited world should register regularly for a census.

ἀπογράφεσθαι refers to a census. The capitation tax that was part of it was incidental to it. Furthermore, this is a present infinitive, indicating not a one-off event but a regular schedule, equivalent to the provision in the United States Constitution for a regular census.

The census [of Judea] was first made while Publius Sulpicius Quirinius was in command in Syria. And everyone would go to register, each to his own [designated] city.

The census rules (explained below) explain how the Romans designated the city in which each person was supposed to register.

The Disciple's Bible                .

Evangelical Heritage V.          Jesus Is Born

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. And everyone went to register, each to his own town.

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                The Birth of Jesus

It so happened, that at that time an order was issued by Cæsar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. This first census was completed when Quirinus was governor of Syria. And all went to be enumerated, each to his own town.

Free Bible Version                 .

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           And it chanced in those days: that there went out a commandment from August the Emperor, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was the first, and executed when Syrenius was leftenant in Syria. And every man went unto his own city to be taxed.

Jubilee Bible 2000                  And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, each one into his own city.

Montgomery NT                     In those days Augustus Caesar issued an edict for a census of the whole inhabited world. This was the first census, When Quirinius was governor of Syria. And every one went to be registered, each to the town to which he belonged.

NIV, ©2011                             The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while [Or This census took place before] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

NT for Everyone                     The Birth of Jesus

At that time a decree was issued by Augustus Caesar: a census was to be taken of the whole world. (This was the first census, before the one when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) So everyone set off to be registered, each to their own town. There is apparently a problem with Quirinius and the census, so the NTE solves it in this way. Note the textual notes in the CSB and the NIV above.

Peter Pett’s translation          .

Riverside New Testament      .

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      In those days there went out an ordinance from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the world. This first census was taken when Cyrenius was proconsul of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each one to his own city.

Tree of Life Version                Yeshua’s Birth in Bethlehem

Now it happened in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the world’s inhabitants. This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone was traveling to be registered in his own city.

Unlocked Literal Bible            .

Urim-Thummim Version         .

Weymouth New Testament    Just at this time an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus for the registration of the whole Empire. It was the first registration made during the governorship of Quirinius in Syria; and all went to be registered–every one to the town to which he belonged.

Wikipedia Bible Project          At that time Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that everyone in the empire should be registered. (This was the census before Quirinius was governor of Syria). So everybody went to their home town to be registered.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     The birth of Jesus—4 BC
Now it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole inhabited world should be enrolled.¹ This first census took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.² So everyone was traveling, each to his own town, to enroll himself.

⁽¹⁾ Of course the Roman Empire did not control the whole world, but the decree was doubtless worded in grandiose terms.

⁽²⁾ Quirinius served two terms: the best known was in A.D. 6-10, but there is good evidence for a prior term in 4-1 B.C.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     At that time the emperor issued a decree for a census of the whole empire to be taken. This first census was taken while Quirinus was governor of Syria. Everyone had to be registered in his own town. So everyone set out for his own city;...

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   The Birth of Jesus.

* In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus* that the whole world should be enrolled.

This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.

* [2:1–2] Although universal registrations of Roman citizens are attested in 28 B.C., 8 B.C., and A.D. 14 and enrollments in individual provinces of those who are not Roman citizens are also attested, such a universal census of the Roman world under Caesar Augustus is unknown outside the New Testament. Moreover, there are notorious historical problems connected with Luke’s dating the census when Quirinius was governor of Syria, and the various attempts to resolve the difficulties have proved unsuccessful. P. Sulpicius Quirinius became legate of the province of Syria in A.D. 6–7 when Judea was annexed to the province of Syria. At that time, a provincial census of Judea was taken up. If Quirinius had been legate of Syria previously, it would have to have been before 10 B.C. because the various legates of Syria from 10 B.C. to 4 B.C. (the death of Herod) are known, and such a dating for an earlier census under Quirinius would create additional problems for dating the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (Lk 3:1, 23). A previous legateship after 4 B.C. (and before A.D. 6) would not fit with the dating of Jesus’ birth in the days of Herod (Lk 1:5; Mt 2:1). Luke may simply be combining Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem with his vague recollection of a census under Quirinius (see also Acts 5:37) to underline the significance of this birth for the whole Roman world: through this child born in Bethlehem peace and salvation come to the empire.

* [2:1] Caesar Augustus: the reign of the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus is usually dated from 27 B.C. to his death in A.D. 14. According to Greek inscriptions, Augustus was regarded in the Roman Empire as “savior” and “god,” and he was credited with establishing a time of peace, the pax Augusta, throughout the Roman world during his long reign. It is not by chance that Luke relates the birth of Jesus to the time of Caesar Augustus: the real savior (Lk 2:11) and peace-bearer (Lk 2:14; see also Lk 19:38) is the child born in Bethlehem. The great emperor is simply God’s agent (like the Persian king Cyrus in Is 44:28–45:1) who provides the occasion for God’s purposes to be accomplished. The whole world: that is, the whole Roman world: Rome, Italy, and the Roman provinces.

New English Bible–1970        The Birth of Jesus c.7-6bce[ Lk.2.1-7 → ] - Mt.1.18-25

IN THOSE DAYS a decree was issued by the Emperor Augustus for a registration throughout the Roman world. This was the first registration of its kind; it took place when Quirinius [Or: This was the first registration carried out while Quirinius ...] was governor of Syria. For this purpose everyone made his way to his own town;...

New Jerusalem Bible             Now it happened that at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be made of the whole inhabited world. This census -- the first -- took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

New RSV                               In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.

Revised English Bible–1989   IN those days a decree was issued by the emperor Augustus for a census to be taken throughout the Roman world. This was the first registration of its kind; it took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone made his way to his own town to be registered.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This registration, the first of its kind, took place when Quirinius was governing in Syria. Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

exeGeses companion Bible   THE BIRTH OF YAH SHUA

And so be it, in those days,

a dogma comes from Kaisar Augustus

to register all the world:

this registration first becomes

when Cyrenius is governor of Syria;

and all go to register - each to his own city.

Hebraic Roots Bible               Now it happened in those days that a decree went out from Augustus Caesar that the names of all the people of his dominion should be written down. This registration first occurred under the governing of Syria by Cyrenius. And all went to be registered, each to his own city.

The Israel Bible (beta)            .

Orthodox Jewish Bible           And it came about at that time that a dvar malchut (decree) was sent out from Caesar Augustus to register everyone in the entire Roman Empire.

This mifkad (census) was before that taken while Quirinius was governor in Syria.

And everyone was traveling to register, each to his own shtetl.

The Scriptures 1998              .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

Now in those days a decree went out from [the emperor] ^[a]Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited world (the Roman Empire) should be ^[b]registered [in a census]. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own city.

^a Augustus, Rome’s first and possibly greatest emperor was born Gaius Octavius in 63 b.c. He was the great-nephew, adopted son and heir of the dictator, Julius Caesar. Under Augustus’ intelligent leadership (27 b.c.-a.d. 14) Rome entered the period of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.

^b This was the first general census conducted outside Rome that included the people of the Roman provinces.

An Understandable Version   Now it happened in those days that a decree was sent out from Caesar Augustus [the Emperor of the Roman Empire] requiring [people from] the whole empire to be registered [i.e., for taxation purposes]. This was the first registration made while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to register in his own home town.

The Expanded Bible              The Birth of Jesus

At that time, Augustus Caesar sent an ·order [decree] that all people in the ·countries under Roman rule [empire; Roman world] must ·list their names in a register [register for taxation]. ·This was the first registration; it was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria [or This was the first census while Quirinius was governor of Syria; or This census occurred before Quirinius was governor of Syria]. And all went to their own towns to be registered.

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Now it occurred in those days, [that] a decree went out from beside (= the court of) Caesar Augustus, [that] all the inhabited [domain of the Empire] is to proceed to register themselves for public record (= participate in a census). This first registration occurred while Quirinius continued leading and governing Syria. And so everyone began going their way to proceed to register themselves for the public record [of the census] – each one into his own city.

Kretzmann’s Commentary    .

NET Bible®                             The Census and the Birth of Jesus

Now¹ in those days a decree² went out from Caesar³ Augustus4 to register⁵ all the empire⁶ for taxes. This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor⁷ of Syria. Everyone⁸ went to his own town⁹ to be registered.

^1tn Grk “Now it happened that.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

^2sn This decree was a formal decree from the Roman Senate.

^3tn Or “from the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).

^4sn Caesar Augustus refers to Octavian, who was Caesar from 27 b.c. to a.d. 14. He was known for his administrative prowess.

^5tn Grk “that all the empire should be registered for taxes.” The passive infinitive ἀπογράφεσθαι (apografesqai) has been rendered as an active in the translation to improve the English style. The verb is regarded as a technical term for official registration in tax lists (BDAG 108 s.v. ἀπογράφω a).

^sn This census (a decree…to register all the empire) is one of the more disputed historical remarks in Luke. Josephus (Ant. 18.1.1 [18.1-2]) only mentions a census in a.d. 6, too late for this setting. Such a census would have been a massive undertaking; it could have started under one ruler and emerged under another, to whose name it became attached. This is one possibility to explain the data. Another is that Quirinius, who became governor in Syria for the later census, may have been merely an administrator for this census. See also Luke 2:2.

^6tn Grk “the whole (inhabited) world,” but this was a way to refer to the Roman empire (L&N 1.83).

^7tn Or “was a minister of Syria.” This term could simply refer to an administrative role Quirinius held as opposed to being governor (Josephus, Ant. 18.4.2 [18.88]). See also Luke 2:1.

^8tn Grk “And everyone.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

^9tn Or “hometown” (so CEV).

The Pulpit Commentary         .

P. Kretzmann Commentary    .

Syndein/Thieme                     {The Census and the Birth of Jesus}

Now it came to pass, in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to 'take a census'/'register all the empire for taxes'.

This was the first census taken while Quirinius/Cyrenius {name means warrior} was governor of Syria.

Everyone went to his own town to be registered.

Translation for Translators                                                              Luke 2:1-7

Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

About that time the Emperor Augustus commanded that ◂his officials must write down the names/ a census be taken► of all the people who lived in countries controlled by the Roman government {that the Roman government controlled}, so that the government could collect taxes from them. That was the first time that they ◂wrote down the names/took a census► in Syria province, which included Judea district. They did this while Quirinius was the governor of the province. Every person had to go to the town where his most famous ancestor had lived, so that the officials could write down their names.

The Voice                               Around the time of Elizabeth’s amazing pregnancy and John’s birth, the emperor in Rome, Caesar Augustus, required everyone in the Roman Empire to participate in a massive census— the first census since Quirinius had become governor of Syria. Each person had to go to his or her ancestral city to be counted.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Accurate New Testament       [It] becomes but in the days those proceeds Proclamation from caesar augustus to be registered every the land This Census First becomes governing the syria quirinius and went All [Men] to be registered {went} Each [Man] to the [of] himself city.

Analytical-Literal Translation  .

Charles Thompson NT           .

Context Group Version          .

Disciples’ Literal New T.        Mary Gives Birth In Bethlehem, Where She And Joseph Went Because of The Roman Census

Now it came about during those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus^[a] that all the world should be registered^[b]. This first^[c] registration took place while Quirinius was being-governor of Syria. And they were all going to register-themselves^[d]— each one to his own city^[e]

^a Luke 2:1 This Roman emperor, also known as Octavian, ruled from 27 b.c to a.d. 14.

^b Luke 2:1 Or, enrolled, listed on a census roll.

^c Luke 2:2 Or, This was the first registration while. This was in about 4 b.c. A second, or a finishing of this first one, took place in a.d. 6, and is mentioned in Acts 5:37.

^d Luke 2:3 Or, be registered.

^e Luke 2:3 This indicates Herod was conducting the census according to Jewish customs.

Emphasized Bible                  Now it came to pass, in those days, that there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, for all the inhabited earth to be enrolled: this enrolment, first was made while Cyrenius was governor of Syria: and all were journeying to be enrolled, each one unto his own city.

English Standard Version      .

Far Above All Translation       .

Greek NT Interlinear              .

Green’s Literal Translation    And it happened in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for all the habitable world to be registered. This registration first occurred under the governing of Syria by Cyrenius. And all went to be registered, each to his own city.

Literal New Testament           .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version           The Birth of Jesus

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed. This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.

Modern KJV                           .

New American Standard B.    Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth [I.e. the Roman empire]. This was the first census taken [Or This took place as a first census] while Quirinius [Gr Kyrenios] was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

New European Version          .

New King James Version       Christ Born of Mary

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Niobi Study Bible                   Christ Born of Mary
And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.

Restored Holy Bible 6.0         [To Beth-lehem].
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus,
         to register all the World;

(this registration was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria).

And all went to be registered, every one into his own city.

Revised Young's Lit. Trans.   And it came to pass in those days, there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world be enrolled -- this enrollment first came to pass when Cyrenius was governor of Syria -- and all were going to be enrolled, each to his proper city.

Third Millennium Bible            .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

World English Bible                .

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage:     Cæsar Augustus will tax his conquered peoples, so he issues a decree for all of his citizenry to be registered/accessed for taxation. Cyrenius is governor of Syria at the time of the census or at its completion. People were required to enroll in the cities where their ancestor birth records were kept.

Translation: So it was in those days [that] a decree of Cæsar Augustus went out to register [for tax purposes] all the [Roman] empire [lit., world, land].

The Roman empire had taken in large swaths of land; and because they provided some basic necessities (the Roman legions to keep order), they charged for this. These various places, like Judæa, were under Roman control. Even though the people of that region did not much like this, it was probably to their benefit. Rome established a common governmental control over a very large area. It also provided law and order as well as a good system of jurisprudence.

There is an overall societal advance here. At one time, a great powerful army might come into a village and simply take everything they have, and destroy what is left. Later in human history—and I am thinking particularly of the time of Solomon—a region might be dominated by a greater power, and this greater power would return periodically to be paid off not to rob and pillage (Gen. 14, if memory serves, deals with a people who decide to rebel against the greater power). But now, at this point in history, an empire is developed where the empire moves in and administrates, primarily providing governmental structures (law and order, an army and a judicial system); but they collect taxes to cover this expense (and to provide enough treasure to make it worthwhile for the Cæsar).

In some places, portions of the population rightly appreciated the law and order which Rome provided.

In exchange for governmental services and structures, taxes had to be levied. In order for taxes to be levied, the Romans needed to know who lived where and other pertinent information so that these people might be taxed in some sort of orderly fashion.

Now, let’s say that some Jewish rancher decided that he did not like this idea, and that he was not going to register in order to be taxed. He would eventually be discovered and it is very possible that the Roman government would simply take over his entire ranch for back taxes. This is not unlike what might happen in the United States today, except that there would be less recourse.

Luke 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (NKJV)

Julius Cæsar adopted his grandnephew Octavian (another source calls him Gaius Octavius). This does not mean that Octavian was some fatherless waif that Julius Cæsar saw in the streets and he took him home. Adoption by a military political leader was quite a different thing. At some point, Cæsar looked around at his various children and relatives and had determined that Octavian, age 19, had the more on the ball than anyone else related to him; and, therefore, he should the one to be his heir. Cæsar had quite an empire, and he did not want to be followed by someone ignorant and/or irresponsible.

Octavian took on the name Gaius Julius Cæsar Octavianus when his great uncle, Julius Cæsar was assassinated in 44 b.c. Although Mark Antony had assumed Caesar’s authority, as well as taking his money and papers, Octavian raised an army and defeated Mark Antony in battle in 43 b.c. (you may recall discussing this when we studied Herod the Great). Octavian and Antony reached an agreement, killed 2000 enemies, and then defeated an army led by the assassins of Cæsar.

Although Octavian and Antony agreed to a split in the kingdom (Octavian ruled over the western Roman empire and Antony over the east), Octavian later went to war against Antony after he married Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. In 31 b.c., Octavian’s admiral, Agrippa, defeated the navies of Antony and Cleopatra, who both committed suicide soon thereafter.

In 27 b.c., the Senate gave Octavian the name/title Augustus, and he, from that point on, ruled over the Republic of Rome, which was the land which surrounded the Mediterranean Sea, going as far north and west and Spain and Gaul (France). He would rule until 14 a.d. (41 years). Julius Cæsar was obviously a very good judge of character and potential.

Augustus Cæsar (Octavian) (a graphic); from slide player; accessed November 1, 2019.

Octavian was a good ruler who attempted to maintain an honest government with honest rulers, a sound monetary system, and free trade throughout the Republic of Rome. Rulers had figured out that, you want the people that you conquer on your side as much as possible. It is obviously better for the Roman government if the people accepted its authority and appreciated the order and organization which it provided. Therefore, there had to be a good balance between being a conqueror and an administrator for Roman Cæsars.

Augustus took a census at least 3 times—in 28 b.c., 8 b.c. and 14 a.d. Estimates are that Jesus was born between 7–4 b.c. Some suggest that the initiating decree from Augustus was in 8 b.c., but that it took a few years before it was actually enacted throughout the entire Republic of Rome.

The Roman Empire under Augustus (a map); from Ancient.EU; accessed November 1, 2019.

Luke 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (NKJV)

The phrase all the world takes a very Roman-empire-centric view of things. To those putting out this decree, the whole world was the Roman empire.

Application: We very much have this sort of attitude in the United States, once uncharitably described as the thinking and actions of the ugly American. Whereas, I do not go so far as to use that characterization myself, I would say a huge percentage of Americans do not have any appreciation for the rest of the world and, as a result, they have no true appreciation for living in the United States as an American. We live in the greatest nation of all time; and, I would suggest, the greatest time in American history. That does not mean that America is perfect and beyond reproach; nor am I making a partisan political statement here. God has heaped enormous blessing upon these United States, and a significant number of Americans have no appreciation for this at all. If they could only spend a month living in Communist China, or in Russia, or in a majority Muslim country, or in a struggling Asian nation, or even in country in the EU—our freedom, our individual potential, our access to Bible doctrine, our wealth potential—this is not found anywhere else in the world. People come from all over the world to become American citizens because they have lived elsewhere and they see all of the personal freedom and potential which America offers.

Application: No doubt a naysayer will point out the homeless in the United States, or the drug addiction, both of which are epidemic. With freedom comes great responsibility, and millions of people have destroyed their lives by taking legal and illegal drugs. So many people with fragile psyches, rather than turning to God, have turned to drugs, and this has destroyed their souls to a point where, they are unable to function in the real world. The number of people who have personally destroyed their own souls with drugs is heart-breaking.

Application: One of the fascinating inconsistencies I have found is, the same people who run down American society because of homelessness and drug addiction are first in line to support legal marijuana and, in many case, the legalization of other intoxicants. The very thing at the heart of the homeless epidemic, these people want to have more of that in society.

Forgive my rambling; let’s return to topic:

Luke 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (NKJV)

Wilbur Pickering: Of course the Roman Empire did not control the whole world, but the decree was doubtless worded in grandiose terms.

The whole world here is a reference to the entire Roman Empire. This is a metonym, where one thing stands for another—and the original readers understand this. This refers specifically to the people and citizens of the Roman empire. Quite obviously, the Roman empire did not have to show up to some locality and register; but all of the people within the Roman empire were required to do so.

Let me give you a modern example of a metonym: someone writing about addictions, may sum up his findings and write, “Seemingly all America is subject to one form of addiction or another.” All America does not refer to the land holdings of the United States; or to the United States government, but to the people in the United States who are suffering from addiction. There is such a large percentage (comparatively speaking) that the author uses the term all America (this descriptor is somewhat hyperbolic as well).

Luke 2:1 So it was in those days [that] a decree of Cæsar Augustus went out to register [for tax purposes] all the [Roman] empire [lit., world, land].

Translation: This first census was from Cyrenius, the governor of Syria.

Cæsar Augustus would have those under him run the census, and this would go through a chain of command. Cyrenius was responsible, overall, for the area which we are discussing.

Syria is north of Judæa.

Herod the Great ruled over Judah and Quirinius is governor over Syria, which is north of Israel. However, Quirinius (also called Cyrenius) did not become governor over Syria until 7 or 8 years after the birth of Christ. What has been suggested is, Quirinius (Cyrenius) oversaw the second census, spoken of here, and the third census after he was made governor over Syria. So Quirinius was an administrator of the second census and governor during the third. At the time that the book of Luke was written and disseminated, he would have been known as the (former) governor of Syria.

There is a concern that this is an historical inaccuracy. It is believed that Cyrenius (Roman name, Quirinus) ruled a few years later in a.d. 6. There are at least 4 possible solutions to this problem: (1) Secular history is incorrect and the Bible is correct. Most of the time, the Bible provides better and more accurate records than are found in secular history. (2) This census perhaps was begun by Cyrenius (he oversaw it in his region), but he became governor after the census had been completed. (3) The census was not completed and/or certified until the time that Cyrenius was governor of Syria. This census depended upon the conquered peoples to go to the proper city and register. Do we really think that all Jews did this? The follow up would have been horrendous nightmare of cross checking records and paperwork. (4) Cyrenius was twice governor; once during the census, and later, in a.d. 6, after Archelaus was banished. It would not be unheard of for Rome, as a conquering country, to install their own king in this or that province; and later, due to political intrigue, or whatever, remove one governor and replace him with another.

I could not tell you which of these is the proper explanation or if we are to insert the word before into the text, as some translations did (The Expanded Bible has this: This was the first registration; it was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria [or This was the first census while Quirinius was governor of Syria; or This census occurred before Quirinius was governor of Syria].). Only a handful of translations took this approach.

Almost every English translation throws in the word when or while into their translation (example of the Voice in the Wilderness: This census first took place while Cyrenius was governing Syria). However, that particular word is not found in the text. Dr. Lardner (who explains how this correctly coincides with ancient history) translates this verse This was the first assessment of Cyrenius, governor of Syria. We solve all related problems here by inserting a few words: This was the first assessment of Cyrenius, [who later became] governor of Syria. Or we could have inserted, who was also known as.

For many of the so-called contradictions/problems with the Bible, we may not know the exact correct explanation this side of eternity. This is a very reasonable approach which solves this particular problem. Although it is probably the correct explanation, we don’t really know; nor is it that important. Primarily, we need to recognize that this problem has been considered and reasonable solutions have been given.

Luke 2:2 This first census was from Cyrenius, the governor of Syria.

Translation: Each one went to his own city to register.

I took some liberties here in the translation.

More literally, this should read: And all [of them] kept departing to register, each [one going] to his own city. The imperfect tense on the main verb means that this action of going to register began in the past and kept on going. I believe the sense of the Greek here is to pick up the main verb and apply it to the adjective (which acts as a substantive here). So each one—each person—is going to his own city. I would assume that is the city of his origin, where his birth records are kept. It is possible that birth records and real estate transactions are recorded in specific cities; or the birth records of their ancestors—and that is where they are to go.

Not many people are enthused about taxation; and it does not seem unlikely that some people would have chosen to sit this registration out. Well, what do they do? The registrars would have the birth and property records right there at their disposal, that they might refer to in order to find out who showed up and who did not. The Jewish people in particular kept very good birth records and, apparently, very accurate property records.

We might understand the Roman government to be relatively enlightened for that era. In past centuries, a conquering nation would go through a country and kill, rape and/or enslave the current population and take away all of their good stuff. Clearly that would engender deep-seated hatred among those who were not killed or among those who are enslaved, which could be trouble down the road. Furthermore, that did not always make the best use of the land which had been conquered. If every country they ruled over was antagonistic, that would require far more resources (Roman soldiers) to keep order. It is better that the population be somewhat more compliant, with even a signficant segment of the population approving of Roman rule.

The Romans had a different approach where they would oversee a conquered country and provide Roman soldiers for that country for protection, order and to keep the people from rebelling. In return, the people would be taxed, which could be understood by them as a necessary evil, in exchange for order and protection.

What is good about this approach is, taxes could be collected periodically, and without requiring a Roman army to go in to kill and conquer for it. This taxation represented a constant source of income. This seemed to have been worked out to a science. The Romans often used local citizenry to collect the taxes (Matthew, a Jewish man and a disciple of the Lord’s, was a tax collector).

This is similar to a choice that real estate people face when they buy and later sell a home; as over against, buying and holding a home as a rental. In the latter case, there is reasonably reliable income provided each and every month. For the person who flips houses, he gets that income only one time.

Let me explain the parallel: Rome could go into a country, destroy the population and take all of their good stuff. That is like buying a house, fixing it up and selling it—it is a one-time deal. Or Rome could go into a country, take it over, administrate it, give the people some rights and freedoms, and tax it. That is analogous to buying a house and making a rental out of it. The dividends continue to come in periodically.

It is not necessary that this was the protocol of all Rome. However, the Jews were apparently quite well-organized when it came to their birth records. My assumption would be, on at least this occasion, that males would travel with their families to whichever city held their birth records (Jerusalem obviously had the birth records of those born in the line of Judah). We do not know if it was done exactly this way throughout the entire Palestine area, nor do we know if there were birth records anywhere other than Jerusalem (or near to Jerusalem).

Luke 2:3 Each one went to his own city to register.

Luke 2:1–3 So it was in those days that a decree from Cæsar Augustus went out to register the citizenry and inhabitants of the Roman empire for tax purposes. This first census in Judæa was overseen by Cyrenius, the governor of Syria. Each person went to his own city of birth in order to register.

This registration/taxation was an event which was apparently taking place over the entire Roman empire.

Joseph and Mary Register for Tax Purposes in Bethlehem (subtitle from NKJV)

We have begun Luke 2, where Mary and Joseph are going to travel to Bethlehem in order to register for taxation purposes. So far, this is what we have studied:

Luke 2:1–3 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. (ESV)

A little history might be helpful at this point: Under Kings Saul, David and Solomon, Israel was a growing nation which was far larger than the tiny postage stamp country of Israel today, and it included most of modern-day Jordan as well as sizable portions of Lebanon and Syria (the area over which David and Solomon had control was actually quite large).

After Solomon, Israel split into two nations and northern Israel (called Israel, Ephraim, or Syria) and southern Israel (called Judah). Northern Israel was overrun and the Hebrew people were deported in 721 b.c. The southern kingdom suffered the same fate in 586 b.c. Some Israelites in the northern kingdom escaped to the southern kingdom. Some Israelites remained in both of these areas after the great deportations. By the time of our narrative, there appears to be large Jewish populations throughout both the northern and southern kingdoms (the bulk of the Lord’s ministry seems to take place around Galilee, which is the northern kingdom. The southern kingdom, Judah, retains more of a national identify, despite the fact that is it not an independent nation.

The Southern Kingdom was defeated and the people removed in 586 b.c. Later, Persia took control of this region and the Persian ruler, Cyrus the Great, allowed the Jews to return to the southern kingdom in 516 b.c., and so Judah continued to exist as a nation, but not as a sovereign nation.

I do not know if the principle cities in the north continued to have centralized records (which would have been for 10 tribes). It appears certain that Israel retained excellent records—although we do not know exactly where they were all kept. In any case, according to the historical account of Luke, there were genealogical records kept in Jerusalem for the tribe of Judah. Therefore, Joseph and his family were expected to register in nearby Bethlehem. It would make sense that the tax registration, birth records and land deeds would all be found in centralized locations.

As an aside, the excellent record keeping of the Jews must have been greatly appreciated by the Romans who initiated this census. This would have given them records by which to check the people who came to them; and property records which would have been some indication of wealth.

Palestine Under Herod the Great (a map); from abu.nb.ca.

——————————

Mary Gives Birth to Jesus in Bethlehem

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    And he goes up, even Joseph, from the Galilee, out from the city of Nazareth to the Judæa, to a city of David, which is called Bethlehem (for [it] is to him from a house—even a family of David). [He was going there] to register with Mary, the one betrothed to him, being great with child.

Revised Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David,

To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And Joseph also went up from Nazareth of Galilee to Judaea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, with Mary his espoused, then pregnant, to be enrolled.

Original Aramaic NT              But Yoseph had come up from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, to Judea to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and from the lineage of David, With Maryam his bride when she was pregnant, that he might be registered there.

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         Joseph also went up from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, to Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and family of David; With his acquired wife Mary, while she was with child, that they might be registered there.

Updated Brenton (Greek)       .

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judaea, to Beth-lehem, the town of David, because he was of the house and family of David, To be put on the list with Mary, his future wife, who was about to become a mother.

Bible in Worldwide English     Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. This was Davids town, and Joseph came from Davids family line. He went to have his name written in the book. Joseph took Mary with him. She was promised to Joseph to be his wife. She was going to have a baby.

Easy English                          Joseph also went to his home town. He was living in the town called Nazareth in Galilee. He went to the town called Bethlehem in Judea. King David had been born there, so Bethlehem was called the town of David. Joseph belonged to the family of David. That is why he went to Bethlehem.

Joseph took Mary with him so that the Romans could count them. She went because she had promised to marry him. She would soon have a baby.

Easy-to-Read Version–2001  .

Easy-to-Read Version–2006  So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. It was known as the town of David. Joseph went there because he was from the family of David. Joseph registered with Mary because she was engaged to marry him. (She was now pregnant.)

God’s Word™                         .

Good News Bible (TEV)         Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. The last portion of v. 5 will be placed with the next passage.

The Message                         So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

Names of God Bible               .

NIRV                                      So Joseph went also. He went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea. That is where Bethlehem, the town of David, was. Joseph went there because he belonged to the family line of David. He went there with Mary to be listed. Mary was engaged to him. She was expecting a baby.

New Life Version                    Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in the country of Galilee to the town of Bethlehem. It was known as the city of David. He went there because he was from the family of David. Joseph went to have his and Mary’s names written in the books of the nation. Mary was his promised wife and soon to become a mother.

New Simplified Bible              Joseph came from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to be counted and taxed. He went to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David. He registered himself with Mary, who was engaged to him. She was about to become a mother.

The Spoken English NT         Joseph went too-he went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea-to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. That’s because he was from the family line^d of David. He went to get registered with Mary, his formally engaged spouse.^e She was pregnant,...

^d.Lit. “from the house and family.”

^e.Lit. “his betrothed.” “Betrothal” is a stronger concept in ancient Israel than engagement as we know it. It is more like an escrow period on the marriage contract than a period after the couple publicly announces plans to marry.

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

College Press Bible Study     .

Contemporary English V.       So Joseph had to leave Nazareth in Galilee and go to Bethlehem in Judea. Long ago Bethlehem had been King David's hometown, and Joseph went there because he was from David's family. Mary was engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. A portion of v. 5 is place with the next passage for context.

The Living Bible                     And because Joseph was a member of the royal line, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, King David’s ancient home—journeying there from the Galilean village of Nazareth. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

New Berkeley Version           .

New Century Version             So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, known as the town of David. Joseph went there because he was from the family of David. Joseph registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged [For the Jewish people, an engagement was a lasting agreement. It could only be broken by divorce.] and who was now pregnant.

New Living Translation           And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

The Passion Translation        .

Unlocked Dynamic Bible        Joseph also traveled to his family’s hometown, along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, they left the town of Nazareth in the region of Galilee and traveled to the region of Judea, to the town of Bethlehem, which is also known as the city of David. Joseph and Mary went there to be registered in the public record.

William's New Testament       And Joseph too went up from Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to the town of David in Judea called Bethlehem, because he was a descendant of the house and family of David, to register with Mary who was engaged to be married to him and who was an expectant mother.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          As the result, JoSeph had to travel from Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city of BethLehem in Judea (because he was from the house and family of David) to be registered with Mary, whom he married as he promised, and who was pregnant.

Beck’s American Translation .

Common English Bible           Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant.

International Standard V        Joseph, too, went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the City of David (called Bethlehem), because he was a descendant [The Gk. lacks a descendant] of the household and family of David. He went there [The Gk. lacks He went there] to be registered with Mary, who had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant.

Len Gane Paraphrase           .

A. Campbell's Living Oracles .

New Advent (Knox) Bible       ...and Joseph, being of David’s clan and family, came up from the town of Nazareth, in Galilee, to David’s city in Judaea, the city called Bethlehem, to give in his name there. With him was his espoused wife Mary, who was then in her pregnancy;...

20^th Century New Testament .

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Alpha & Omega Bible            .

Awful Scroll Bible                   Furthermore Joseph also walked-up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth to Judaea, the city of David, (which-certain is coming to be called Bethlehem, because he is to be of the house and lineage of David), to be caused-to-be-written himself with Mary, his having become betrothed wife, she being swelled-from-within.

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    So Joseph left Nazareth in Galilee and went into Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, (because he belonged to the house and family of David) to register with his fiancée Mary, whose child was nearly ready for birth.

Here the aorist infinitive απογραψασθαι clearly marks this as a one-off event, not the regular event that verse 1 describes.

The Disciple's Bible                .

Evangelical Heritage V.          And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, [Some witnesses to the text omit his wife.] who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                Joseph accordingly went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the town of David, known as Bethlehem (because by descent he belonged to the house of David), to enrol himself along with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was now pregnant.

Free Bible Version                 Joseph was descended from King David, so he left Nazareth in Galilee to go to Bethlehem, the city of David, in Judea. He went to register there, together with Mary, who was pledged in marriage to him and expecting a baby.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           And Joseph also ascended from Galilee, out of a city called Nazareth, into Jurie (Jewry): unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary his spoused wife which was with child.

Jubilee Bible 2000                  .

Montgomery NT                     .

NIV, ©2011                             So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

NT for Everyone                     .

Peter Pett’s translation          .

Riverside New Testament      .

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      .

Tree of Life Version                Now Joseph also went up from the Galilee, out of the town of Natzeret to Judah, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family of David. [cf. Mic. 5:1(2)] He went to register with Miriam, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.

Unlocked Literal Bible            .

Urim-Thummim Version         .

Weymouth New Testament    .

Whiston’s Primitive NT          .

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     At night, in Bethlehem, the Savior is born
So Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of Natsareth town, into Judea to the city of David, that is called Bethlehem, because he was of David’s ‘house’, that is, line of descent, to enroll himself with Mary, the woman who had been betrothed to him,³ who was pregnant.

⁽³⁾ That’s what the Text says. We know from Mat_1:24-25 that Joseph had already received her as his wife, but still had not had sexual relations with her—obviously an atypical situation. He had taken responsibility for her as his wife, but as far as sex was concerned she was still ‘pledged’—thus Luke’s unusual turn of phrase.

Wikipedia Bible Project          Since Joseph was descended from king David, he traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David, in Judea. There he would register, together with his fiancée Mary, who was heavily pregnant.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  Joseph too set out from Nazareth of Galilee. As he belonged to the family of David, being a descendant of his, he went to Judea to David's town of Bethlehem to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was with child.

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee for Judaea, to David's town called Bethlehem, since he was of David's House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   Joseph went up to Judaea from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to register in the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house of David by descent; and with him went Mary, his betrothed, who was expecting her child.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           So Yosef, because he was a descendant of David, went up from the town of Natzeret in the Galil to the town of David, called Beit-Lechem, in Y’hudah, to be registered, with Miryam, to whom he was engaged, and who was pregnant.