Church Fathers Commentary Luke 2:1-5

"Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child." — Luke 2:1-5 (ASV)

The Venerable Bede: The Son of God was about to be born in the flesh. Just as His birth from a virgin showed that the grace of virginity was most pleasing in His sight, so too was He born in the most peaceful time in the world, because He taught people to seek peace and deigns to visit those who follow it.

There could be no greater sign of peace than for the whole world to be brought together under one census. Its ruler, Augustus, reigned with such great peace for twelve years around the time of our Lord’s birth that, with war suppressed throughout the world, there seemed to be a literal fulfillment of the Prophet’s prediction: They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, etc.

Greek Expositors: Christ was also born at a time when the rulers of Judah had come to an end and the kingdom was transferred to Roman governors, to whom the Jews paid tribute. Then the prophecy was fulfilled which said, There shall not fail a leader from Judah, nor a prince from between his feet, until he shall come who is to be sent.

And so, when Caesar Augustus was in the 42^nd year of his reign, an edict went out from him that all the world should be registered for the payment of tribute. He committed the management of this to a certain Cyrinus, whom he made governor of Judea and Syria. And so it follows, This taxing was first made, etc.

The Venerable Bede: St. Luke points out that this census was either the first of those that covered the whole world—since before this, many parts of the earth are often mentioned as having been taxed—or it was the one that first began when Cyrinus was sent into Syria.

St. Ambrose of Milan: Luke rightly added the name of the governor to mark the historical timeline. For if the names of Consuls are attached to public records, how much more should the time be recorded for that event which was the redemption of all people?

The Venerable Bede: The registration of property was so arranged by divine guidance that everyone was ordered to go to his own country, as it is written, And they all went to be taxed, every one to his own city.

This happened so that the Lord, conceived in one place and born in another, might more easily escape the fury of the crafty Herod. Hence it follows: Now Joseph also went up from Galilee.

St. John Chrysostom: It was the Lord who directed Augustus to issue this edict, so that he might serve the coming of the Only-Begotten. For it was this edict that brought Christ’s mother to her own country as the prophets had foretold—namely, to Bethlehem of Judea, to a city of David, which is called Bethlehem.

Greek Expositors: Luke added the phrase "a city of David" to declare that the promise God made to David—that from the fruit of his body a king would reign forever—was now fulfilled. From this it follows, Because he was of the house and lineage of David.

Since Joseph was of the family of David, the Evangelist also chose to make it known that the Virgin herself was of the same family, because the divine law required marriages between those of the same lineage. Therefore, it follows, With Mary his espoused wife.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: It is said that she was "espoused" to imply that only a betrothal, and nothing more, preceded the conception, for the Holy Virgin did not conceive by the seed of a man.

St. Gregory the Great: The registration of the whole world at the time our Lord was about to be born had a mystical meaning, for He who would write the names of His own elect in eternity now appeared in the flesh.

St. Ambrose of Milan: A secular registration is described, but a spiritual one is implied—one to be laid before the King not of earth, but of Heaven. It is a registration of faith, a census of souls. For the old census of the Synagogue was abolished, and a new census of the Church was being prepared.

To show that this census was not of Augustus but of Christ, the whole world is ordered to be registered. For who could demand the registration of the whole world except the One who has dominion over it? The world does not belong to Augustus; rather, the earth is the Lord’s.

The Venerable Bede: And Christ most perfectly fulfilled what the name "Augustus" signifies, because He was both willing and able to increase His own.

Theophylact of Ohrid: It was also fitting that at Christ’s coming the worship of many gods should cease and only one God be worshipped; thus, one king is described as ruling the world.

Origen of Alexandria: For those who consider it attentively, a kind of mystery seems to be expressed in the fact that Christ had to be included in the registration of the whole world. By having His name written with all people, He could sanctify all people; and by being placed in the census with the whole world, He could share His own fellowship with the world.

The Venerable Bede: Just as at that time, in the reign of Augustus and under the governorship of Cyrinus, everyone went to his own city to register his property, so now, when Christ reigns through His teachers (the governors of the Church), we ought to register our righteousness.

St. Ambrose of Milan: This, then, was the first public enrollment of souls for the Lord, for whom all enroll themselves not at the call of a town crier, but of the Prophet who says, O clap your hands, all you peoples.

And so that people might know that this census was just, Joseph and Mary—the just man and the virgin—came to be counted: he who kept the word and she who obeyed it.

The Venerable Bede: Our true city and country is the resting place of the blessed, and we ought to be traveling toward it with daily increasing virtue. Day by day, the Holy Church waits on her Teacher. She goes up from the course of worldly business (which the name "Galilee" signifies) to the city of Judah (that is, the city of confession and praise) to register her devotion to the Eternal King.

Following the example of the blessed Virgin Mary, the Church, a Virgin, has conceived us by the Spirit. Though betrothed to another, she is made fruitful by God. While visibly joined to the bishop who is placed over her, she is invisibly filled with the graces of the Spirit.

This is why Joseph's name is well interpreted as "increased." His very name declares that the earnestness of the teacher who speaks is of no use unless he receives increasing help from above so that he may be heard.