Luke 2:1

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:1-52

Birth and Childhood of Jesus1-5. The census of Quirinius. There are two historical difficulties in connexion with St. Luke’s mention of the census of Quirinius: (1) There is no direct evidence, except St. Luke’s statement, that Augustus (31 b.c.-14 a.d.) ever held a census of the whole Roman empire. (2) Quirinius was not governor of Syria at the time of our Lord’s birth (about 7 or 6 b.c.), but either Sentius Saturninus (9-6 b.c.), or Quinctilius Varus (6-4 b.c.).As to (1), the absence of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 2:1

II.(1) There went out a decree.—The passage that follows has given rise to almost endless discussion. The main facts may be summed up as follows:—(1) The word “taxed” is used in its older English sense of simple “registration,” and in that sense is a true equivalent for the Greek word. The corresponding verb appears in Hebrews 12:23. It does not involve, as to modern ears it seems to do, the payment of taxes. The “world” (literally, the inhabited world, οἰκουμένη, œcumenè,—the word from which... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Luke 2:1-52

The Love of the Cradle (For Christmas Day) Luke 2:7 The Church has ever held that in all the estate of His Humiliation in the whole sad three and thirty years of His earthly life, our Lord offered up an atoning sacrifice. He suffered life as well as death for us. But a great saint and doctor has well reminded us that we are ready to be so dazzled by the love of the Cross that we often forget the love of the Cradle. We forget that our Lord endured the weakness of death and the weakness of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Luke 2:1-52

CHAPTER 2 1. The Birth of Christ at Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7 ) 2. The Glad Tidings Announced to the Shepherds. (Luke 2:8-20 ) 3. The Circumcision and Presentation (Luke 2:21-24 ) 4. Simeon and His Prophecy (Luke 2:25-35 ) 5. Anna the Prophetess (Luke 2:36-38 ) 6. In Nazareth (Luke 2:39-40 ) 7. In the Temple (Luke 2:41-51 ) 8. The Increase (Luke 2:52 .) Luke 2:1-7 The appointed time (Galatians 4:4 ) had come. According to prophecy the Saviour had to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 ). But... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Luke 2:1

2:1 And {1} it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the {a} world should be {b} taxed.(1) Christ, the son of God, taking upon himself the form of a servant, and making himself of no reputation, is poorly born in a stable: and by the means of Augustus, the mightiest prince in the world, (thinking nothing of it) has his cradle prepared in Bethlehem, as the prophets foretold.(a) As far as the empire of the Romans stretched.(b) That is, the... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:1-52

THE BIRTH OF THE LORD JESUS (vs.1-7) God in His sovereign wisdom and power at this time ordered the events of man's government to accomplish His own will. Caesar Augustus decreed that all the world (the Roman Empire) should be enrolled for the purpose of census taking. It is noted in a parenthesis that this census was actually taken when Cyrenius was governor of Syria, which was at least six years later. Of course it was not known that it would be this long delayed, but this was the means... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Luke 2:1-52

THE EARLY YEARS OF JESUS There is a preface to Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:1-4 ). While Matthew and Mark tell us of whom they write (Matthew 1:1 ; Mark 1:1 ), Luke and John tell us why they write (compare John 20:31 ). Luke wrote for the instruction of Theophilus (compare Acts 1-2) whose name indicates that he was a Greek, while “most excellent” suggests that he may have been of high rank. There were many records of our Lord (Luke 1:1 ), received from eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2 ), but Luke “had... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Luke 2:1-52

The World's Need Luk 2:11 This is just what the world wanted. This is just what the world always wants. The world wants this not the less that it is in some instances not aware of the necessity. What does a drowning man want? A lecture on natation? That would be exceedingly profitable to a man who was drowning! Tell him how to use his right arm, and his left, and his lower limbs; remark on the gracefulness of his action. All this would be exceedingly gratifying to a man who is struggling for... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Luke 2:1

CONTENTS The birth of Christ. His Circumcision. Simeon's Prophecy of Christ, and the declaration of Anna concerning him. Jesus teaching in the Temple, at the age of twelve years. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Luke 2:1-7

(1) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (2) (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (3) And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. (4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) (5) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great... read more

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