Sign in
LUKE 2:1 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Luke 2Luke 2:2
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.”
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world — Luke's precise imperial dating is the Gospel's most explicit connection between the Jesus story and world history. Caesar Augustus, the emperor who had brought the Pax Romana and styled himself as the divine bringer of universal peace, unknowingly serves the purposes of God's redemptive plan. The census that relocates a Galilean family to Bethlehem is the Roman instrument of the divine prophecy: Micah 5:2 required the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem of David.

Church Fathers on Luke 2:1

The Son of God, about to be born in the flesh, as by His birth of a virgin He showed that the grace of virginity was most pleasing in His sight, is therefore begotten in the most peaceful time of the world, because He taught men to seek peace, and condescends to visit those who follow it. But there could be no greater sign of peace than for the whole world to be brought together under one taxing, while its ruler Augustus reigned with so great peace for the twelve years, about…

Bede · 8th century

Christ is born also at a time when the princes of Judah had failed, and the kingdom was transferred to Roman governors, to whom the Jews paid tribute; and then was fulfilled the, prophecy, saying, There shall not fail a leader from Judah, nor a prince from between his feet, until he shall come who is to be sent. And now when Caesar Augustus was in the 42 nd year of his reign, there went forth an edict from him that all the world should be taxed for the payment of tribute, the…

GREEK EX ·

He has rightly added the name of the governor, to mark the course of time. For if the names of the Consuls are affixed to the tables of prices, how much more ought the time to be noted down, of that event which was the redemption of all men?

Ambrose · 4th century
Read all 16 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!
Luke 2:1 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy