Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

Now in those days a decree went out from (A)Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of (B)all [a]the inhabited earth. [b]This was the first census taken while [c]Quirinius was governor of (C)Syria. And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because (D)he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was [d]betrothed to him, and was pregnant. While they were there, the [e]time came for her to give birth. And she (E)gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a [f]manger, because there was no [g]room for them in the inn.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:1 I.e., the Roman Empire
  2. Luke 2:2 Or This took place as a first census
  3. Luke 2:2 Gr Kyrenios
  4. Luke 2:5 Unlike engagement, a betrothed couple was considered married, but did not yet live together
  5. Luke 2:6 Lit days were completed
  6. Luke 2:7 Or feeding trough
  7. Luke 2:7 Or space

Jesus’ birth

In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.

Read full chapter