Luke 2:2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 2:1-7

The fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law; and it was foretold that he should be born at Bethlehem. Now here we have an account of the time, place, and manner of it. I. The time when our Lord Jesus was born. Several things may be gathered out of these verses which intimate to us that it was the proper time. 1. He was born at the time when the fourth monarchy was in its height, just when it was become, more than any of the three... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 2:1-7

2:1-7 In these days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the world. The census first took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria; and everyone went to enroll himself, each man to his own town. So Joseph went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judaea, to David's town, which is called Bethlehem, because he belonged to the house and the line of David, to enrol himself with Mary who was betrothed to him and she was with child. When they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:2

And this taxing was first made ,.... Or "this was the first enrolment, or taxing" in the Jewish nation; for there was another afterwards, when Judas the Galilean arose, and drew many after him, Acts 5:38 . When Cyrenius was governor of Syria ; or "of Cyrenius" "governor of Syria"; that is, it was the first that he was, concerned in; who not now, but afterwards was governor of Syria; and because he had been so before Luke wrote this history, and this being a title of honour, and what... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:2

This taxing was first made when Cyrenius, etc. - The next difficulty in this text is found in this verse, which may be translated, Now this first enrolment was made when Quirinus was governor of Syria. It is easily proved, and has been proved often, that Caius Sulpicius Quirinus, the person mentioned in the text, was not governor of Syria, till ten or twelve years after the birth of our Lord. St. Matthew says that our Lord was born in the reign of Herod, Luke 2:1 , at which time... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:1-7

The birthplace and the birth. Two travelers, coming up from Galilee, approach the city of David. The knowledge they possessed of the event in which the glories of David's house were to culminate must have invested every feature with a peculiar sacredness of interest. Note Dean Stanley's description of Bethlehem, on the crest of a ridge of black hills terraced with vineyards. As beheld by Joseph and Mary, what a stream of patriotic memories, mixed with the inspirations which spring from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:1-20

The Redeemer's birth . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:1-20

The Savior's birth and type angel's sermon. We now pass from the person of the forerunner to that of his greater Successor. The priest's son was great, but the Virgin's Son was greater. John was a great gift to the world, as every true reformer must be; but a Savior is God's supreme Gift to the children of men. Now, in this narrative before us we learn— I. HOW THE WILL OF EVEN HEATHEN MONARCHS IS MADE TO FULFIL THE WILL OF GOD . The Divine will, expressed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:2

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) Hostile criticism makes a still more direct attack upon the historical statement made by St. Luke here. Quirinius, it is well known, was governor (legatus or praeses) of Syria ten years later , and during his office a census or registration—with a view to taxation—which led to a popular disturbance, was made in his province. These critics say that St. Luke mentions, as taking place before the birth of Jesus, an event... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 2:2

And this taxing was first made ... - This verse has given as much perplexity, perhaps, as any one in the New Testament. The difficulty consists in the fact that “Cyrenius,” or “Quirinius,” was not governor of Syria until 12 or 15 years after the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born during the reign of Herod. At that time “Varus” was president of Syria. Herod was succeeded by “Archelaus,” who reigned eight or nine years; and after he was removed, Judea was annexed to the province of Syria, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 2:2

Luke 2:2. And this taxing (rather this enrolling) was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, Cyrenius was not governor of Syria till ten or twelve years after our Saviour’s birth, after Archelaus was deposed, and the country brought under a Roman procurator; yet, according to our translation of Luke here, he was governor before the death of Herod, the father and predecessor of Archelaus, and in the same year when Christ was born. Now... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 2:1-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 2:1-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 2:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 2:2

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