Revision #13797
Augustus
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Biblical Record
- Augustus is mentioned by name only once in the Bible, in Luke 2:1. The text reads, "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." Verse 2 adds that this census was first made when Cyrenius (Quirinius) was governor of Syria. **Caesar** (Korean *Gaisa*) renders the Latin *Caesar*, which came to be used as a title for the Roman emperor. The **census** (rendered "taxing" in the KJV) was a registration of the population. In accordance with this decree, Joseph of Nazareth, being a descendant of David, went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary, to whom he was betrothed, and there Jesus was born (Luke 2:3–7).
+ Augustus is named only once in the Bible, in Luke 2:1: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." Verse 2 adds that this taxing was first made when Cyrenius (Quirinius) was governor of Syria. **Caesar**, from the Latin *Caesar*, came to be used as a title for the Roman emperor. The **census** (rendered "taxing" in the KJV) was a registration of the population. In obedience to this decree, Joseph of Nazareth, being a descendant of David, went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary, to whom he was betrothed, and there Jesus was born (Luke 2:3–7).
=
- According to historical records outside the Bible, he was Octavian, the adopted son of Julius Caesar. After bringing the civil wars to an end, he received from the Roman Senate in 27 BC the title "Augustus," meaning "the revered one," and he ruled the empire until his death in AD 14. His successor, Tiberius, appears in Luke 3:1. The "Augustus' band" of Acts 27:1 is the name of a Roman military unit named after the imperial title and does not refer to Augustus personally.
+ According to historical sources outside the Bible, he was Octavian, the adopted son of Julius Caesar. After ending the civil wars, he received from the Roman Senate in 27 BC the title "Augustus," meaning "the revered one," and he ruled the empire until his death in AD 14. His successor, Tiberius, appears in Luke 3:1. "Augustus' band" in Acts 27:1 is the name of a Roman military unit taken from the imperial title and does not refer to Augustus himself.
=
= ## Significance in the Bible
- By recording the emperor's name, Luke places the birth of Jesus within the framework of world history. Many interpreters read this account as showing that Joseph's household, which lived in Nazareth, came to Bethlehem—the place where the Messiah was prophesied to be born (Micah 5:2)—because of the emperor's decree. In this they see the providence of God.
+ By recording the emperor's name, Luke sets the birth of Jesus within the framework of world history. Many interpreters read the account as showing that Joseph's household, which lived in Nazareth, came to Bethlehem—the place where the Messiah was prophesied to be born (Micah 5:2)—because of the emperor's decree. In this they see the providence of God.
=
- Inscriptions are known to have been erected during the reign of Augustus that exalted him as a "savior" who brought peace. For this reason, some scholars interpret the scene in Luke 2 in which the angels announce the birth of a "Saviour" and sing of peace on earth (Luke 2:10–14) as a contrast to the imperial cult.
+ Inscriptions are reported to have been erected in the age of Augustus honoring him as a "savior" who brought peace. For this reason, some scholars interpret the scene in Luke 2 in which the angel announces the birth of a "Saviour" and the heavenly host proclaims peace on earth (Luke 2:10–14) as a deliberate contrast to the imperial cult.
=
= ## Interpretations and Issues
- - **The date of the census**: The census of Quirinius attested in extrabiblical sources is generally dated to around AD 6. By contrast, Herod is commonly thought to have died before that time. Several views have been proposed to account for this discrepancy: that the "first" census mentioned by Luke was a separate, earlier registration; that the expression in the original text should be translated differently; or that Luke's chronology contains an error. Positions on this question tend to vary among individual scholars and interpretive traditions rather than along denominational lines.
- - **Stories not found in the text**: The story that Augustus heard a prophecy from a sibyl and saw a vision of the Virgin holding a child is a medieval legend and is not found in the Bible. Scripture does not say that he was aware of the birth of Jesus.
+ - **The date of the census**: The census of Quirinius attested in extrabiblical sources is generally dated to around AD 6, whereas Herod is commonly thought to have died before that time. Several explanations have been proposed: that the "first" census mentioned by Luke was a separate, earlier registration; that the expression in the original text should be translated differently; or that Luke's chronology contains an error. Positions on the question divide along lines of individual scholarship and interpretive tradition rather than denomination.
+ - **Stories not found in the text**: The story that Augustus heard a prophecy from a sibyl and saw a vision of the Virgin holding a child is a medieval legend and does not appear in the Bible. Scripture does not say that he knew of the birth of Jesus.
=
= ## In the Korean Church
- Augustus is frequently mentioned when Luke 2 is read or preached around Christmas. In sermons he is commonly presented as an example of providence, showing that even the decree of a worldly ruler was used within God's plan. In Sunday school Christmas pageants, the scene announcing the census decree is also often used to open the story.
+ In Korean Protestant churches, Augustus is frequently mentioned when Luke 2 is read or preached around Christmas. Sermons commonly present him as an example of providence, showing that even a worldly ruler's decree served God's plan. In Sunday school Christmas pageants, the scene announcing the census decree often opens the story.
Agusdo is the rendering used in the New Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Gaejeong) of the Bible for Augustus (Octavian), the first emperor of the Roman Empire. In Luke 2 he appears as the emperor who decreed a census of the whole world. This decree provides the background for Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem.
Augustus (Octavian) was the first emperor of the Roman Empire. In Luke 2 he appears as the emperor who decreed a census of the whole world, which led Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem.
Full revision
Augustus (Octavian) was the first emperor of the Roman Empire. In Luke 2 he appears as the emperor who decreed a census of the whole world, which led Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem.
Biblical Record
Augustus is named only once in the Bible, in Luke 2:1: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." Verse 2 adds that this taxing was first made when Cyrenius (Quirinius) was governor of Syria. Caesar, from the Latin Caesar, came to be used as a title for the Roman emperor. The census (rendered "taxing" in the KJV) was a registration of the population. In obedience to this decree, Joseph of Nazareth, being a descendant of David, went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary, to whom he was betrothed, and there Jesus was born (Luke 2:3–7).
According to historical sources outside the Bible, he was Octavian, the adopted son of Julius Caesar. After ending the civil wars, he received from the Roman Senate in 27 BC the title "Augustus," meaning "the revered one," and he ruled the empire until his death in AD 14. His successor, Tiberius, appears in Luke 3:1. "Augustus' band" in Acts 27:1 is the name of a Roman military unit taken from the imperial title and does not refer to Augustus himself.
Significance in the Bible
By recording the emperor's name, Luke sets the birth of Jesus within the framework of world history. Many interpreters read the account as showing that Joseph's household, which lived in Nazareth, came to Bethlehem—the place where the Messiah was prophesied to be born (Micah 5:2)—because of the emperor's decree. In this they see the providence of God.
Inscriptions are reported to have been erected in the age of Augustus honoring him as a "savior" who brought peace. For this reason, some scholars interpret the scene in Luke 2 in which the angel announces the birth of a "Saviour" and the heavenly host proclaims peace on earth (Luke 2:10–14) as a deliberate contrast to the imperial cult.
Interpretations and Issues
- The date of the census: The census of Quirinius attested in extrabiblical sources is generally dated to around AD 6, whereas Herod is commonly thought to have died before that time. Several explanations have been proposed: that the "first" census mentioned by Luke was a separate, earlier registration; that the expression in the original text should be translated differently; or that Luke's chronology contains an error. Positions on the question divide along lines of individual scholarship and interpretive tradition rather than denomination.
- Stories not found in the text: The story that Augustus heard a prophecy from a sibyl and saw a vision of the Virgin holding a child is a medieval legend and does not appear in the Bible. Scripture does not say that he knew of the birth of Jesus.
In the Korean Church
In Korean Protestant churches, Augustus is frequently mentioned when Luke 2 is read or preached around Christmas. Sermons commonly present him as an example of providence, showing that even a worldly ruler's decree served God's plan. In Sunday school Christmas pageants, the scene announcing the census decree often opens the story.