Luke 2:1

¶ 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 {G1161} it came to pass {G1096} in {G1722} those {G1565} days {G2250}, that there went out {G1831} a decree {G1378} from {G3844} Caesar {G2541} Augustus {G828}, that all {G3956} the world {G3625} should be taxed {G583}.

Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire.

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.

Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled.

Commentary

Luke 2:1 opens the narrative of Jesus' birth with a crucial historical detail, grounding the sacred event in verifiable world history. This verse sets the stage for the fulfillment of ancient prophecy regarding the Messiah's birthplace.

Historical and Cultural Context

The "decree from Caesar Augustus" refers to an official order issued by Octavian, the first Roman Emperor, who reigned from 27 BC to 14 AD. His reign was known for the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability throughout the vast Roman Empire. The phrase "all the world" (Greek: pasēn tēn oikoumenēn) refers to the entire Roman-controlled territory, not the literal globe.

This decree mandated a registration or census (Greek: apographē), primarily for purposes of taxation and military enrollment. Such a census required people to return to their ancestral towns. For Joseph, this meant traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, because he was "of the house and lineage of David" (Luke 2:4). This meticulous historical detail by Luke highlights the authenticity of the Gospel account.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over human events. A seemingly mundane political act by a pagan emperor becomes the precise mechanism through which God orchestrates the fulfillment of His divine plan for the Messiah's birth.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The Roman census directly compelled Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem, thereby fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy in Micah 5:2, which foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
  • Historical Veracity: Luke, as a meticulous historian, emphasizes the real-world, historical context of Jesus' birth, connecting it to known rulers and events of the time. This underscores the factual basis of the Christian faith.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "taxed" here translates the Greek term apographē (ἀπογραφὴ), which is more accurately understood as a "registration" or "enrollment" for a census. While this census would eventually lead to taxation, it was primarily a listing of citizens and their property, rather than an immediate collection of taxes. This distinction is crucial for understanding the logistical implications for individuals like Joseph and Mary, who had to travel to their ancestral hometowns for this enrollment.

Practical Application

Luke 2:1 reminds us that God works through ordinary circumstances, even those that seem inconvenient or purely secular, to accomplish His ultimate purposes. Just as He used a Roman decree to bring about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, so too does He orchestrate events in our lives and in the world to advance His will. It encourages us to see God's hand at work even in unexpected places and to trust in His perfect timing, knowing that all things work together for good for those who love Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 3:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

  • Matthew 24:14 (5 votes)

    And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

  • Acts 25:21 (3 votes)

    But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

  • Acts 11:28 (1 votes)

    And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

  • Philippians 4:22 (1 votes)

    All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

  • Romans 1:8 (1 votes)

    ¶ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

  • Acts 25:11 (0 votes)

    For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.