1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2aThis census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to athe city of David, which is called Bethlehem, bbecause he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, ahis betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
7 And ashe brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a1 manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And1 behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, aand they were greatly afraid.
10 Then the angel said to them, a“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy bwhich will be to all people.
11aFor there is born to you this day in the city of David ba Savior, cwho is Christ the Lord.
12 And this willbe the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a1 manger.”
13aAnd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glorya to God in the highest, And on earth bpeace, cgoodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
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.
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.
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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.