Luke 2
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Commentaries
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Caesar Augustus - This was Caius Caesar Octavianus Augustus, who was proclaimed emperor of Rome in the 29th year before our Lord, and died a.d. 14. That all the world should be taxed - Πασαν την οικουμενην, the whole of that empire. It is agreed, on all hands, that this cannot mean the whole world, as in the common translation; for this very sufficient reason, that the Romans had not the dominion of the whole earth, and therefore could have no right to raise levies or taxes in those places to which their dominion did not extend. Οικουμενη signifies properly the inhabited part of the earth, from οικεω, to dwell, or inhabit. Polybius makes use of the very words in this text to point out the extent of the Roman government, lib. vi. c. 48; and Plutarch uses the word in exactly the same sense, Pomp. p. 635. See the passages in Wetstein. Therefore the whole that could be meant here, can be no more than that a general Census of the inhabitants and their effects had been made in the reign of Augustus, through all the Roman dominions. But as there is no general census mentioned in any historian as having taken place at this time, the meaning of οικουμενη must be farther restrained, and applied solely to the land of Judea. This signification it certainly has in this same evangelist, Luk 21:26. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth, τῃ οικουμενῃ this land. The whole discourse relates to the calamities that were coming, not upon the whole world, nor the whole of the Roman empire, but on the land of Judea, see Luk 21:21. Then let them that are in Judea flee to the mountains. Out of Judea, therefore, there would be safety; and only those who should be with child, or giving suck, in those days, are considered as peculiar…
Open source ↗BIRTH OF CHRIST. (Luk 2:1-7) CÃ&brvbrsar Augustus--the first of the Roman emperors. all the world--so the vast Roman Empire was termed. taxed--enrolled, or register themselves.
Open source ↗And it came to pass in those days,.... When John the Baptist was born, and Christ was conceived, and his mother pregnant with him, and the time of his birth drew on. The Ethiopic version reads, "in that day"; as if it was the same day in which John was circumcised, and Zacharias delivered the above song of praise: that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus; second emperor of Rome; the name Caesar was common to all the emperors, as Pharaoh to the Egyptians, and afterwards Ptolemy. His name Augustus, was not his original surname, but Thurinus; and was given him, after he became Caesar, to express his grandeur, majesty, and reverence; and that by the advice of Munatius Plancus, when others would have had him called Romulus, as if he was the founder of the city of Rome (z): by him a decree was made and published, that all the world should be taxed; or "registered", or "enrolled"; for this was not levying a tax, or imposing tribute upon them, but a taking an account of the names of persons, and of their estates; and which might be, in order to lay a tax upon them, as afterwards was: for the payment of a tax, there was no need of the appearance of women and children; and so the Arabic version renders it, "that the names the whole habitable world might be described, or written down": such an enrolment had been determined on by Augustus, when at Tarracon in Spain, twenty seven years before; but he was diverted from it by some disturbances in the empire, so that it was deferred to this time, in which there was a remarkable interposition of divine providence; for had this enrolment been made then, in all likelihood it had not been done now, and Joseph and Mary would not have had occasion to have come to Bethlehem: but so it must be; and thus were things ordered by an infin…
Open source ↗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 before it, a universal monarchy. He was born in the days of Augustus Caesar, when the Roman empire extended itself further than ever before or since, including Parthia one way, and Britain another way; so that it was then called Terraram orbis imperium - The empire of the whole earth; and here that empire is called all the world (Luk 2:1), for there was scarcely any part of the civilized world, but what was dependent on it. Now this was the time when the Messiah was to be born, according to Daniel's prophecy (Dan 2:44): In the days of these kings, the kings of the fourth monarchy, shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. 2. He was born when Judea was become a province of the empire, and tributary to it; as appears evidently by this, that when all the Roman empire was taxed, the Jews were taxed among the rest. Jerusalem was taken by Pompey the Roman general, about sixty years before this, who granted the government of the church to Hyrcanus, but not the government of the state; by degrees it was more and more reduced, till now at length it was quite subdued; for Judea was ruled by Cyrenius the Roman governor of Syria (Luk 2:2): the Roman writers call him Sulpitius Quirinus. Now just at this juncture, the Messiah was to be born, for so was dying Jacob…
Open source ↗2:1-7 Having described John’s birth, Luke gives a parallel account of Jesus’ birth, with emphasis on its lowliness. Although he was the glorious Messiah, Jesus entered the world in humble circumstances. 2:1 Caesar Augustus, whose given name was Octavian, ruled the Roman Empire from 27 BC to AD 14. Prior to his time, Rome was a republic ruled by a senate. The Roman senate gave Augustus supreme authority as emperor, and the republic became an empire. Augustus secured the empire’s borders and established the Pax Romana (“Roman Peace”), a period of unprecedented stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean world. • A census registered the people for tax purposes.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) δόγμα (dógma, G1378) — a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical) παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… Καῖσαρ (Kaîsar, G2541) — Cæsar, a title of the Roman emperor Αὐγοῦστος (Augoûstos, G828) — Augustus, a title of the Roman emperor πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole οἰκουμένη (oikouménē, G3625) — land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire ἀπογράφω (apográphō, G583) — to write off (a copy or list), i.e. enrol
Open source ↗οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) ἀπογραφή (apographḗ, G582) — an enrollment; by implication, an assessment γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) Κυρήνιος (Kyrḗnios, G2958) — Cyrenius (i.e. Quirinus), a Roman ἡγεμονεύω (hēgemoneúō, G2230) — to act as ruler Συρία (Syría, G4947) — Syria (i.e. Tsyria or Tyre), a region of Asia
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole πορεύομαι (poreúomai, G4198) — to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively,… ἀπογράφω (apográphō, G583) — to write off (a copy or list), i.e. enrol ἕκαστος (hékastos, G1538) — each or every εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἴδιος (ídios, G2398) — pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἰωσήφ (Iōsḗph, G2501) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō, G305) — to go up (literally or figuratively) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… Γαλιλαία (Galilaía, G1056) — Galilæa (i.e. the heathen circle), a region of Palestine ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) Ναζαρέθ (Nazaréth, G3478) — Nazareth or Nazaret, a place in Palestine εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Ἰουδαία (Ioudaía, G2449) — the Judæan land (i.e. Judæa), a region of Palestine Δαβίδ (Dabíd, G1138) — Dabid (i.e. David), the Israelite king ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
Open source ↗ἀπογράφω (apográphō, G583) — to write off (a copy or list), i.e. enrol σύν (sýn, G4862) — with or together (but much closer than G3326 (μετά) or G3844 (παρά)), i.e. by… Μαρία (María, G3137) — Maria or Mariam (i.e. Mirjam), the name of six Christian females αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… μνηστεύω (mnēsteúō, G3423) — to give a souvenir (engagement present), i.e. betroth γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being ἔγκυος (énkyos, G1471) — swelling inside, i.e. pregnant
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἶναι (eînai, G1511) — to exist ἐκεῖ (ekeî, G1563) — there; by extension, thither ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… πλήθω (plḗthō, G4130) — to "fill" (literally or figuratively (imbue, influence, supply)); specially, to fulfil… τίκτω (tíktō, G5088) — to produce (from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc.), literally or figuratively
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τίκτω (tíktō, G5088) — to produce (from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc.), literally or figuratively αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πρωτότοκος (prōtótokos, G4416) — first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively) υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… σπαργανόω (sparganóō, G4683) — from a derivative of the base of G4682 (σπαράσσω) meaning to strap or wrap with strips);… ἀνακλίνω (anaklínō, G347) — to lean back ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. φάτνη (phátnē, G5336) — a crib (for fodder) διότι (dióti, G1360) — on the very account that, or inasmuch as ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not τόπος (tópos, G5117) — a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas G5561 (χώρα) is a large but… κατάλυμα (katályma, G2646) — properly, a dissolution (breaking up of a journey), i.e. (by implication) a lodging-place
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… χώρα (chṓra, G5561) — room, i.e. a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants) ποιμήν (poimḗn, G4166) — a shepherd (literally or figuratively) ἀγραυλέω (agrauléō, G63) — to camp out φυλάσσω (phylássō, G5442) — to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve,… φυλακή (phylakḗ, G5438) — a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ποίμνη (poímnē, G4167) — a flock (literally or figuratively) νύξ (nýx, G3571) — "night" (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἐφίστημι (ephístēmi, G2186) — to stand upon, i.e. be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… περιλάμπω (perilámpō, G4034) — to illuminate all around, i.e. invest with a halo μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) φοβέω (phobéō, G5399) — to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere φόβος (phóbos, G5401) — alarm or fright
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… φοβέω (phobéō, G5399) — to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; εὐαγγελίζω (euangelízō, G2097) — to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) χαρά (chará, G5479) — cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you τίκτω (tíktō, G5088) — to produce (from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc.), literally or figuratively σήμερον (sḗmeron, G4594) — on the (i.e. this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e. at… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) Δαβίδ (Dabíd, G1138) — Dabid (i.e. David), the Israelite king σωτήρ (sōtḗr, G4990) — a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing σημεῖον (sēmeîon, G4592) — an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) βρέφος (bréphos, G1025) — an infant (properly, unborn) literally or figuratively σπαργανόω (sparganóō, G4683) — from a derivative of the base of G4682 (σπαράσσω) meaning to strap or wrap with strips);… κεῖμαι (keîmai, G2749) — to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. φάτνη (phátnē, G5336) — a crib (for fodder)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐξαίφνης (exaíphnēs, G1810) — of a sudden (unexpectedly) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… σύν (sýn, G4862) — with or together (but much closer than G3326 (μετά) or G3844 (παρά)), i.e. by… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… πλῆθος (plēthos, G4128) — a fulness, i.e. a large number, throng, populace οὐράνιος (ouránios, G3770) — celestial, i.e. belonging to or coming from the sky στρατιά (stratiá, G4756) — from the base of G4766 (στρώννυμι), as encamped); camp-likeness, i.e. an army, i.e.… αἰνέω (ainéō, G134) — to praise (God) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or…
Open source ↗δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὕψιστος (hýpsistos, G5310) — highest, i.e. (masculine singular) the Supreme (God), or (neuter plural) the heavens καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… εἰρήνη (eirḗnē, G1515) — peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity εὐδοκία (eudokía, G2107) — satisfaction, i.e. (subjectively) delight, or (objectively) kindness, wish, purpose ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
But when Paul appealed to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar.”
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First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world.
So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
All the saints send you greetings, especially those from the household of Caesar.
If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.