New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Commentaries:
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Luke 2:1-5
The census of Quirinius that required Joseph to travel from Galilee to Bethlehem would most probably have taken place after the fall harvest when people were more able to return to their ancestral homes (Luke 2:1-5). Besides, it was customary in Judea to do their tax collecting during this period, as the bulk of a farmer's income came at this time.
John O. Reid
When Was Jesus Born?Related Topics: Autumn, Probable Time of Christ's Birth | Birth of Jesus | Census of Quirinius | Christ's Birth | Christ's Birth Not In December | Christ's Birth Not In Winter | Christ's Birth, Time of | Fall, Probable Time of Christ's Birth | Feast of Trumpets, Probable Time of Christ's Birth | Jesus Christ's Birth | Nativity of Jesus ChristOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing Luke 2:1:
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What Does Luke 2:1 Mean?
The census decreed by Caesar Augustus, as mentioned in Luke 2:1, likely occurred after the fall harvest. This timing allowed people, including Joseph traveling from Galilee to Bethlehem, to return to their ancestral homes more easily. Additionally, in Judea, tax collection customarily took place during this period, coinciding with the time when farmers received most of their income from the harvest.