Quirinius

The Biblical Record

Quirinius is named in Scripture only in Luke 2:2. Luke 2:1–2 states that "Caesar Augustus" (the Roman emperor Augustus) issued a decree "that all the world should be taxed" (that is, enrolled in a census), and that "this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria." Luke goes on to record that, in response to this decree, Joseph of Nazareth went up with Mary from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David, where Jesus was born.

Sources outside the Bible identify Quirinius as the Roman statesman Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, who is reported to have served as consul in 12 BC. The Jewish historian Josephus records that around AD 6, as governor of Syria, he conducted a census of Judea. Among Korean Bible translations, the New Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Standard Version render his name "Gurenyo," while the Korean Common Translation renders it "Kwirino."

Significance Within Scripture

In Luke's Gospel, the name of Quirinius serves as a chronological marker that places the birth of Jesus within the actual history of the Roman Empire. This record provides the backdrop for Luke's account of how the expectation that the Messiah would be born in the city of David came to be fulfilled through an imperial administrative decree. Many scholars identify the revolt of Judas of Galilee "in the days of the taxing," mentioned in Acts 5:37, with the census of AD 6 recorded by Josephus.

Interpretation and Points of Debate

Matthew 2:1 and Luke 1:5 place the birth of Jesus in the time of King Herod, who is generally thought to have died around 4 BC. This leaves a gap of roughly ten years between Jesus' birth and the census of Quirinius in AD 6 recorded by Josephus, a problem that has long been debated.

• Conservative evangelical scholars who emphasize biblical inerrancy offer explanations that harmonize the two records. One view holds that the word "first" in Luke 2:2 can be read as "before Quirinius became governor." Another holds that Quirinius held a different post in Syria at an earlier date.
• Some scholars who follow the historical-critical method hold that Luke made a chronological error, or that he drew on a well-known census for the purposes of his theological narrative.
• Others note that sources outside the Bible do not confirm a single enrollment decree covering the entire Roman Empire.

In the Korean Church

Quirinius is mentioned by name when Luke 2 is read during the Christmas season. In Christmas sermons and Sunday school Christmas lessons, he is usually treated briefly as part of the background explaining why Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem. Sermons or hymns centered on Quirinius are rare. He is sometimes cited as an example of a chronological problem in lectures or apologetic materials dealing with the historicity of the Bible and the date of the birth of Jesus.