Luke 2:2

KJV

([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

KJV (with Strong's)

( And this {G3778} taxing {G582} was {G1096} first {G4413} made {G1096} when Cyrenius {G2958} was governor {G2230} of Syria {G4947}.)

Complete Jewish Bible

This registration, the first of its kind, took place when Quirinius was governing in Syria.

Berean Standard Bible

This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

American Standard Version

This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 2:2 serves as a crucial historical parenthetical note within the Christmas narrative, specifying that the census decree mentioned in the preceding verse was the "first" registration conducted when Cyrenius (Quirinius) was serving as governor of Syria. This detail anchors the extraordinary events of Jesus' birth firmly within verifiable historical and political realities of the Roman Empire, underscoring the factual basis of the Gospel account and highlighting God's sovereign orchestration of human affairs to fulfill divine prophecy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Luke 2:1](/luke/2-1 "Luke 2:1 - Caesar Augustus' Decree"), which introduces the decree from Caesar Augustus for a worldwide census. Luke 2:2 clarifies and specifies the timing of this particular registration, identifying it as the "first" and linking it to Cyrenius's governorship in Syria. This parenthetical statement provides a precise historical anchor for the events of Jesus' birth that follow, explaining why Joseph and Mary, despite living in Nazareth of Galilee, were compelled to travel to Bethlehem, the city of David, for the registration, as narrated in [Luke 2:3-5](/luke/2-3-5 "Luke 2:3-5 - Joseph and Mary's Journey to Bethlehem"). The meticulous historical detail aligns with Luke's stated purpose in [Luke 1:3](/luke/1-3 "Luke 1:3 - Luke's Purpose in Writing") to write an "orderly account" based on careful investigation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman Empire regularly conducted censuses (Latin: *census*, Greek: *apographē*) for purposes of taxation and military conscription, requiring individuals to register in their ancestral cities. Judea, at this time, was a client kingdom under Roman oversight, though it would later become a full Roman province. Cyrenius (Latin: Publius Sulpicius Quirinius) was a historical Roman legate (governor) of Syria. While historical records indicate a major census under Quirinius in A.D. 6-7, which caused significant unrest in Judea, Luke's reference to this being the "first" census under Cyrenius suggests an earlier registration, possibly a preliminary one or a different type of enrollment. Scholars have debated the precise timing, but Luke's inclusion of this detail emphasizes that Jesus' birth was not a mythical event but occurred within a specific, verifiable historical framework of Roman administration, necessitating the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the ancestral home of Joseph's lineage.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 2:2 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Decrees**, demonstrating how God orchestrates seemingly mundane or inconvenient human events, such as a Roman census, to fulfill His divine plan. This decree compels Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem, ensuring Jesus' birth in the prophesied city, as foretold in [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem as the Birthplace of the Ruler"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Historical Reliability of Luke's Gospel**. Luke, often regarded as a meticulous historian, grounds the extraordinary events of Jesus' incarnation in ordinary, verifiable historical circumstances, lending credibility to the Christian faith's factual claims, as he promised in [Luke 1:4](/luke/1-4 "Luke 1:4 - The Certainty of the Gospel"). Lastly, it exemplifies **Providential Timing**, showcasing how the census served as the providential means by which Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem precisely when Jesus was to be born, aligning perfectly with prophetic expectations and God's perfect, unfolding plan for salvation history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **taxing (Greek, _apographē'_):** From G582, meaning "an enrollment; by implication, an assessment." This term refers to a registration or census, a systematic listing of people, often for administrative purposes like taxation or military service. Luke's use of this word highlights the official, governmental nature of the decree that compelled Joseph and Mary's journey.
* **first (Greek, _prōtos'_):** From G4413, meaning "foremost (in time, place, order or importance)." The inclusion of "first" is crucial. It distinguishes this particular census from any subsequent ones, especially the well-documented census of A.D. 6-7 under Quirinius, which is known to have caused significant Jewish resistance. Luke's specification suggests he is aware of other registrations and wishes to pinpoint this one as the initial or primary one relevant to Jesus' birth.
* **was governor (Greek, _hēgemoneúō'_):** From G2230, meaning "to act as ruler." This verb clearly identifies Cyrenius's official capacity and authority. It signifies his role as the Roman legate or administrator responsible for the province of Syria, which at this time encompassed Judea. This detail further grounds the narrative in the political and administrative realities of the Roman Empire.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"(And) this taxing was first made":** This clause directly refers to the census mentioned in [Luke 2:1](/luke/2-1 "Luke 2:1 - Caesar Augustus' Decree"), clarifying its unique timing. The word "first" (prōtos) indicates that this was an initial or primary registration, distinguishing it from other possible censuses or later, more well-known ones. It sets the specific historical stage for the events to follow.
* **"when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.":** This part of the verse provides the specific historical figure and geographical jurisdiction under whom the census was conducted. Cyrenius (Quirinius) was a Roman official, and Syria was a significant Roman province that oversaw the client kingdom of Judea. This detail serves to historically anchor Jesus' birth, placing it within a verifiable period of Roman administration and underscoring Luke's commitment to historical accuracy.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 2:2 primarily functions as a **Parenthetical Statement**, interrupting the main narrative flow to provide crucial historical clarification. This device allows the author to insert important background information without disrupting the immediate story of Joseph and Mary's journey. Furthermore, the verse exemplifies **Historicism** or **Verisimilitude**, as Luke meticulously includes specific names (Cyrenius) and titles (governor of Syria) and events (first taxing) to ground the miraculous birth of Jesus within the concrete realities of human history. This emphasis on historical detail lends credibility to the Gospel account, asserting that these events are not mythical but occurred in a specific time and place, under verifiable conditions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 2:2 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous sovereignty over human history. Even the decrees of powerful earthly rulers like Caesar Augustus, implemented through administrators like Cyrenius, are not outside of God's overarching plan. This seemingly bureaucratic detail becomes the very means by which ancient prophecies concerning the Messiah's birthplace are fulfilled. God uses the ordinary, and even the inconvenient, to accomplish His extraordinary purposes, demonstrating that His divine will is supreme over all human authority and circumstance. This truth offers immense comfort and assurance, reminding believers that God is actively working in and through the mundane details of life to bring about His perfect will.

* [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem, the Birthplace of the Messiah")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 2:2, though a brief historical note, carries profound implications for our faith and daily lives. It reminds us that God's grand redemptive plan is not enacted in a vacuum but is intricately woven into the fabric of human history, politics, and daily life. Just as a Roman census, a seemingly secular and even burdensome event, was precisely what God used to bring Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem for the birth of the Savior, so too does God work through the ordinary and often inconvenient circumstances of our lives. This verse encourages us to look for God's hand in unexpected places, to trust His sovereignty even when we face administrative burdens, political shifts, or personal inconveniences. It invites us to recognize that our lives, no matter how mundane they may seem, are part of a larger divine narrative, and God is continually orchestrating events for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the historical specificity of Luke 2:2 strengthen your faith in the reliability of the Gospel accounts?**
* **In what ways have you seen God use seemingly ordinary or inconvenient circumstances in your own life to accomplish a greater purpose?**
* **How does the concept of God's sovereignty over human decrees (like a census) encourage you when facing political or societal changes beyond your control?**

### FAQ
**Why is the detail about Cyrenius and the "first taxing" so important?**

Answer: The detail about Cyrenius and the "first taxing" is crucial because it firmly anchors the miraculous birth of Jesus in verifiable human history. Luke, as a meticulous historian, provides this information to demonstrate that the events surrounding Jesus' arrival were not mythical or legendary but occurred within a specific, documented historical context. This historical precision lends credibility to the Gospel narrative, asserting that Jesus' birth was a real event, at a real place, at a real time, under specific political circumstances. Furthermore, it highlights God's sovereign control over human affairs, as this Roman decree providentially led Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, fulfilling the ancient prophecy of [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem, the Birthplace of the Messiah").

**Are there historical discrepancies regarding Cyrenius's governorship and this census?**

Answer: Yes, scholars have long discussed the historical timing of this census. Roman historical records confirm a major census under Publius Sulpicius Quirinius (Cyrenius) in A.D. 6-7, which is well-documented and known to have sparked a Jewish revolt led by Judas the Galilean (mentioned by Josephus and in [Acts 5:37](/acts/5-37 "Acts 5:37 - Judas the Galilean")). However, Jesus was born earlier, during the reign of Herod the Great (who died in 4 B.C.). Luke's phrase "this taxing was *first* made" (Greek: *hautē apographē prōtē egeneto*) suggests that this was an earlier, perhaps preliminary or different type of registration, distinct from the later, more famous census. Some theories propose Quirinius had an earlier, perhaps less prominent, administrative role in Syria, or that the "first" refers to a comprehensive enrollment that preceded the later, more impactful taxation. Regardless of the exact historical reconstruction, Luke's intent is to provide a specific historical marker for the events of Jesus' birth, emphasizing its factual basis. The New Testament's historical claims, including those in [Luke 1:1-4](/luke/1-1-4 "Luke 1:1-4 - Luke's Introduction"), are generally supported by external evidence, even if some details require careful reconciliation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 2:2, a seemingly mundane historical detail, serves as a profound testament to God's sovereign orchestration of history for the advent of His Son. The Roman census, a decree of a pagan emperor, became the providential means by which Jesus, the King of Kings, was born in Bethlehem, fulfilling the ancient prophecy of [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem, the Birthplace of the Messiah"). This detail underscores that Christ's coming was not a random event but the culmination of God's perfectly timed plan, enacted through the very powers that would later seek to oppose Him. It highlights Jesus' humble entry into the world, not as a political revolutionary overthrowing earthly empires, but as the true King whose kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")). Yet, even earthly rulers and their decrees unwittingly serve His ultimate purpose, demonstrating that "the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes" ([Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")). Thus, the census, a tool of imperial control, became an instrument of divine liberation, ensuring the Messiah's birth in the city of David, from whom salvation would ultimately flow to all nations ([Luke 2:10-11](/luke/2-10-11 "Luke 2:10-11 - Good News of Great Joy")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 3:1

¶ 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,

Acts 13:7

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

Acts 26:30

And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

Acts 5:37

After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, [even] as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

Acts 18:12

¶ And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

Acts 23:26

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix [sendeth] greeting.

Matthew 4:24

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.