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| Inhabitants were ordered obey Caesar Augustus' decree Photo source ➚ |
Luke does not mention much in the way of particulars, as to the circumstances surrounding the decree which brought Joseph and Mary to their ancestral home of Bethlehem. The extend of background he gives is as follows: "And it came to pass in those days, 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, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, 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 espoused wife, being great with child." (Luke 2: 1-5)
From the wording of ancient manuscripts, it is unclear whether this was more of a census or enrollment of taxable citizens, an assessment of each person's property in preparation for being taxed, or if Joseph and Mary were actually going there to pay said taxes. It was likely only a census or sorts, or an enrollment in preparation for later taxation. The taxation itself probably actually went into effect much later. Surely Caesar Augustus desired to gather an accounting of the population within the Roman Empire (the phrase translated as "all the world" often referred to the Roman Empire), each person's name, tribe and family. Taxing them immediately would have been difficult, and would have even caused a rebellion. Later, in Acts 27, there was a revolt by the Jews because of an attempt to tax them under Cyrenius, suggesting that there was no earlier taxation, but only an enrollment for such. (Bible Study Tools ➚)
Cyrenius (Quirinius), the man mentioned by Luke as the one who first initiated the "taxation", had previously been the governor of Syria from 4 BC to 1 AD. He was appointed a general in the Roman army by the emperor in 6 AD, and was also and the governor of Syria once more, and remained so until 11 AD. His dominion then extended not only throughout Syria, but also the Roman province of Judea, which included Judea, Samaria and Idumea for the purpose of the census. At that time he was instructed to assess the province of Judea for the purpose of taxation, by way of this census. Keep in mind that the Jews hated these pagans who had conquered their land, and to whom they were, in a sense, slaves. Censuses were also against Jewish law. This census resulted in a revolt and the formation of the Zealots. (Wikipedia - Quirinius ➚)
Cyrenius (Quirinius), the man mentioned by Luke as the one who first initiated the "taxation", had previously been the governor of Syria from 4 BC to 1 AD. He was appointed a general in the Roman army by the emperor in 6 AD, and was also and the governor of Syria once more, and remained so until 11 AD. His dominion then extended not only throughout Syria, but also the Roman province of Judea, which included Judea, Samaria and Idumea for the purpose of the census. At that time he was instructed to assess the province of Judea for the purpose of taxation, by way of this census. Keep in mind that the Jews hated these pagans who had conquered their land, and to whom they were, in a sense, slaves. Censuses were also against Jewish law. This census resulted in a revolt and the formation of the Zealots. (Wikipedia - Quirinius ➚)
As a side note, Will's Commentary states that the month, August, was named for Caesar Augustus because he corrected the calendar. He was considered to be the first to rule the entire Roman Empire, which was also known as "all the world". "Should be taxed" was translated from a phrase meaning "should be enrolled". Augustus saw to it that the empire was surveyed, in preparation for the actual taxation to take place, according to Roman law which required tax to be paid on males 14 years and older, as well as females 12 and up, later referred to in Luke 20 as the tribute to Caesar. Historically, it is pretty well established among scholars that Caesar Augustus carried out a geometrical survey of his empire. (Will's Commentary on the New Testament, Volume 3, page 36 ➚) It is really hard to say all that was involved in the decree, but we do know that Joseph and Mary traveled to where their people came from, in obedience to Caesar Augustus' edict. One can only wonder how this young couple felt about what they were required by law to do, knowing that it went against the laws of their Jewish forefathers.
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At this time it appears, from the usage of the phrase "espoused wife", that the marriage ceremony had taken place, but Joseph was not yet living with Mary in the traditional marital sense. We know this also from Matthew 1:24-25 which states, "Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus." In marrying her, though she was already pregnant, he saved her from public shame and likely being stoned to death, as the physical proof of her condition became apparent. He was commanded to do so by the angel, but it also showed his level of trust and compassion. Surely, he was a great man, carefully chosen to be Mary's husband and to guide Jesus through childhood.
Their journey to Bethlehem, the birthplace of David, ca. 6 BC took them a great distance, some 90 miles, from where they lived in Nazareth. Bethlehem was located six miles south of Jerusalem. Though they could have chosen a shorter route through Samaria, this was hostile territory and hilly terrain, difficult and dangerous especially given Mary's stage of pregnancy. It is suspected that they, instead, traveled "southeast through the Jezreel Valley and further east to the Jordan Valley. Continuing south to Jericho, they probably proceeded up through the Judean Desert to Jerusalem and onward to Bethlehem." (Reference ➚) Whether they were both on foot, or if Mary rode on a donkey as is traditionally accepted, is hard to say. It is estimated that they journey took anywhere from 4 days to a week and a half. Suffice it to say that it was a very difficult trip for Mary in her condition, but surely Joseph made her as comfortable as possible.
The text states that they went "up" from Nazareth in Galilee. It is interesting to note that Bethlehem is about 2000 feet elevation, so they really did go "up". (Will's Commentary on the New Testament, Volume 3, page 36 ➚) The old city of Nazareth was situated in a "bowl-like" valley at 1200 feet, surrounded by hills. (Encyclopedia - Nazareth ➚) At this time, Nazareth likely had a population or 4-500 people. (Wikipedia - Nazareth ➚)
Bethlehem, in the hill country of Judea, has great Biblical significance. It was there that Rachel died, and her tomb is at the entrance of the city. In a valley east of there Ruth gleaned the fields. In this fortified city, David was anointed king of Israel by the prophet Samuel. It is also the birthplace the Lord. (Wikipedia - Bethlehem ➚) From the fields east of the city came the shepherds to visit baby Jesus, and shepherds still watch over their sheep in this area, to this day. (Bible Places - Bethlehem ➚)
This being where Jesus was born fulfills the Old Testament prophecy recorded in Micah 5:2, "But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." This prophecy is referred to by the chief priests and scribes when Herod questioned where Jesus was to be born, in Matthew 2:4-6.
Their journey to Bethlehem, the birthplace of David, ca. 6 BC took them a great distance, some 90 miles, from where they lived in Nazareth. Bethlehem was located six miles south of Jerusalem. Though they could have chosen a shorter route through Samaria, this was hostile territory and hilly terrain, difficult and dangerous especially given Mary's stage of pregnancy. It is suspected that they, instead, traveled "southeast through the Jezreel Valley and further east to the Jordan Valley. Continuing south to Jericho, they probably proceeded up through the Judean Desert to Jerusalem and onward to Bethlehem." (Reference ➚) Whether they were both on foot, or if Mary rode on a donkey as is traditionally accepted, is hard to say. It is estimated that they journey took anywhere from 4 days to a week and a half. Suffice it to say that it was a very difficult trip for Mary in her condition, but surely Joseph made her as comfortable as possible.
The text states that they went "up" from Nazareth in Galilee. It is interesting to note that Bethlehem is about 2000 feet elevation, so they really did go "up". (Will's Commentary on the New Testament, Volume 3, page 36 ➚) The old city of Nazareth was situated in a "bowl-like" valley at 1200 feet, surrounded by hills. (Encyclopedia - Nazareth ➚) At this time, Nazareth likely had a population or 4-500 people. (Wikipedia - Nazareth ➚)
Bethlehem, in the hill country of Judea, has great Biblical significance. It was there that Rachel died, and her tomb is at the entrance of the city. In a valley east of there Ruth gleaned the fields. In this fortified city, David was anointed king of Israel by the prophet Samuel. It is also the birthplace the Lord. (Wikipedia - Bethlehem ➚) From the fields east of the city came the shepherds to visit baby Jesus, and shepherds still watch over their sheep in this area, to this day. (Bible Places - Bethlehem ➚)
This being where Jesus was born fulfills the Old Testament prophecy recorded in Micah 5:2, "But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." This prophecy is referred to by the chief priests and scribes when Herod questioned where Jesus was to be born, in Matthew 2:4-6.