A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 2

Decree from Caesar Augustus (δογμα παρα Καισαρος Αυγουστου). Old and common word from δοκεω, to think, form an opinion. No such decree was given by Greek or Roman historians and it was for long assumed by many scholars that Luke was in error. But papyri and inscriptions have confirmed Luke on every point in these crucial verses 2:1-7. See W.M. Ramsay's books (Was Christ Born at Bethelehem? Luke the Physician. The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the N.T.).

The World (την οικουμενην). Literally,

the inhabited (land , γην). Inhabited by the Greeks, then by the Romans, then the whole world (Roman world, the world ruled by Rome). So Ac 11:28; 17:6.

Should be enrolled (απογραφεσθα). It was a census, not a taxing, though taxing generally followed and was based on the census. This word is very old and common. It means to write or copy off for the public records, to register.

The first enrolment (απογραφη πρωτη). A definite allusion by Luke to a series of censuses instituted by Augustus, the second of which is mentioned by him in Ac 5:37. This second one is described by Josephus and it was supposed by some that Luke confused the two. But Ramsay has shown that a periodical fourteen-year census in Egypt is given in dated papyri back to A.D. 20. The one in Ac 5:37 would then be A.D. 6. This is in the time of Augustus. The first would then be B.C. 8 in Egypt. If it was delayed a couple of years in Palestine by Herod the Great for obvious reasons, that would make the birth of Christ about B.C. 6 which agrees with the other known data

When Quirinius (Κυρηνιου). Genitive absolute. Here again Luke has been attacked on the ground that Quirinius was only governor of Syria once and that was A.D. 6 as shown by Josephus (Ant. XVIII. I.I). But Ramsay has proven by inscriptions that Quirinius was twice in Syria and that Luke is correct here also. See summary of the facts in my Luke the Historian in the Light of Research, pp. 118-29.

Each to his own city (εκαστος εις την εαυτου πολιν). A number of papyri in Egypt have the heading enrolment by household (απογραφη κατ' οικιαν). Here again Luke is vindicated. Each man went to the town where his family register was kept.

To enrol himself with Mary (απογραψασθα συν Μαριαμ). Direct middle. "With Mary" is naturally taken with the infinitive as here. If so, that means that Mary's family register was in Bethlehem also and that she also belonged to the house of David. It is possible to connect "with Mary" far back with "went up" (ανεβη) in verse 4, but it is unnatural to do so. There is no real reason for doubting that Mary herself was a descendant of David and that is the obvious way to understand Luke's genealogy of Jesus in Lu 3:23-38). The Syriac Sinaitic expressly says that both Joseph and Mary were of the house and city of David.

Betrothed (εμνηστευμενην). Same verb as in 1:27, but here it really means "married" or "espoused" as Mt 1:24f. shows. Otherwise she could not have travelled with Joseph.

Great with child (ενκυω). Only here in N.T. Common Greek word.

That she should be delivered (του τεκειν αυτην).

For the bearing the child as to her . A neat use of the articular infinitive, second aorist active, with the accusative of general reference. From τικτω, common verb.