[Luke 2:1] “1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.”
- Here we see God’s sovereignty over the leader of the nation of Rome to make sure that His prophetic word in the Scriptures regarding the Messiah will take place and get fulfilled (see Matthew 2:1-6).
[Luke 2:2] “2 This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.”
- Luke gives great details surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, showing His birth as a fulfillment of prophecy (see verse 1) and its historicity by naming the governor of Syria.
[Luke 2:3] “3 And everyone went to his own town to register.”
- Caesar’s decree forced Joseph to take Mary to where he was from so that Jesus could be born in the city of David (see verse 4).
[Luke 2:4] “4 So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.”
- God orchestrated the events—the census, see verse 1 and its commentary—to accomplish His will and to fulfill His Word that prophesied where the Messiah was to be born, as stated in Micah 5:2, which says, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.”
[Luke 2:5] “5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.”
- The word “pledged” means betroth. Betroth means to be promised to a person in marriage. In the Scripture, being promised to someone in marriage or betrothed starts the process of being married. So, to get out of it, one has to get divorced see below.
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly. -Matthew 1:18-19
All Scriptures are taken from the Berean Study Bible version (BSB).
Spiritual Minefield 