Jesus: Birth

The Decree

A. Who was Caesar Augustus and what was a decree?

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

1. Caesar Augustus - This was the Roman emperor. He was the nephew of Julius Caesar, and obtained the empire after his death. Born Gaius Octavius in September of 63 BC, the Roman senate gave him the name “Augustus” in 27 BC to honor his defeat and annexation of Egypt.

to register all the empire Known censuses in proximity to Caesar Augustus’ reign (27 BC–AD 14) occurred around 28 BC, 8 BC, and AD 14. Given the size of the Roman Empire, the task of registering its people would have taken years; consequently, Luke could be pointing to the census of 8 BC. Based on the reference to Quirinius (see v. 2 and note), this would place Jesus’ birth around 6–4 BC.

2. IN the Roman Empire periodical censuses were taken with the double object of assessing taxation and of discovering those who were liable for compulsory military service. The Jews were exempt from military service, and, therefore, in Palestine a census would be predominantly for taxation purposes.

IN the Roman Empire periodical censuses were taken with the double object of assessing taxation and of discovering those who were liable for compulsory military service. The Jews were exempt from military service, and, therefore, in Palestine a census would be predominantly for taxation purposes. Regarding these censuses, we have definite information as to what happened in Egypt; and almost certainly what happened in Egypt happened in Syria, too, and Judaea was part of the province of Syria. The information we have comes from actual census documents written on papyrus and then discovered in the dust-heaps of Egyptian towns and villages and in the sands of the desert.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

B. Because of the Census why did they have to go their city?

take a "list" of the citizens, with their employments, the amount of their property, etc., equivalent to what was meant by census. Judea was at that time tributary to Rome. It paid taxes to the Roman emperor; and, though Herod was "king," yet he held his appointment under the Roman emperor, and was subject in most matters to him. Farther, as this "enrollment" was merely to ascertain the numbers and property of the Jews,

(Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.)

( And this taxing was First made when Cyrenius was Governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.

1. Such censuses were taken every fourteen years. Every Jew had to go back where they were from. These had to be done because Jesus need to be born in the city of David Bethlehem it was part of the prophesy in But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me

(Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.)

2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah,

Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,

that is to be ruler in Israel;

that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

C. The Lineage of Joseph and Mary

Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel;

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:

5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

1. Joseph must travel to his ancestral city for the census. Since he is a descendant of King David. he travels to David’s hometown of Bethlehem. in

5 And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of

thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.