Revision #11755
Quirinius
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## 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.
+ Quirinius is named in Scripture only in Luke 2:2. According to Luke 2:1–2, Caesar Augustus issued a decree "that all the world should be taxed," that is, enrolled in a census, and "this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria." Luke then records 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."
+ Sources outside the Bible identify him as the Roman statesman Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, who reportedly 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.
=
= ## 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.
+ 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. It forms the backdrop for Luke's account of how the expectation that the Messiah would be born in the city of David was fulfilled by way of 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.
+ Matthew 2:1 and Luke 1:5 place the birth of Jesus in the reign 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 AD 6 census of Quirinius recorded by Josephus, a problem that has long been debated.
+ - Conservative evangelical scholars who emphasize biblical inerrancy propose 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.
+ - Others point out 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.
+ Korean Bible translations differ in how they render his name: the Revised Korean Version (New Revised) and the New Korean Standard Version use one form, while the Korean Common Translation uses another, closer to the Latin.
+
+ In Korean Protestant churches, Quirinius is mentioned 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 on the historicity of the Bible and the date of the birth of Jesus.
Quirinius (Cyrenius in the KJV) is the Roman official recorded in Luke 2:2 as governor of Syria when the Roman emperor issued his decree of enrollment. He is frequently discussed in efforts to date the birth of Jesus.
Quirinius (Cyrenius in the KJV) was the Roman official whom Luke 2:2 records as governor of Syria when the Roman emperor issued his decree of enrollment. He is frequently discussed in efforts to date the birth of Jesus.
Full revision
Quirinius (Cyrenius in the KJV) was the Roman official whom Luke 2:2 records as governor of Syria when the Roman emperor issued his decree of enrollment. He is frequently discussed in efforts to date the birth of Jesus.
The Biblical Record
Quirinius is named in Scripture only in Luke 2:2. According to Luke 2:1–2, Caesar Augustus issued a decree "that all the world should be taxed," that is, enrolled in a census, and "this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria." Luke then records 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 him as the Roman statesman Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, who reportedly 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.
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. It forms the backdrop for Luke's account of how the expectation that the Messiah would be born in the city of David was fulfilled by way of 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 reign 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 AD 6 census of Quirinius recorded by Josephus, a problem that has long been debated.
- Conservative evangelical scholars who emphasize biblical inerrancy propose 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 point out that sources outside the Bible do not confirm a single enrollment decree covering the entire Roman Empire.
In the Korean Church
Korean Bible translations differ in how they render his name: the Revised Korean Version (New Revised) and the New Korean Standard Version use one form, while the Korean Common Translation uses another, closer to the Latin.
In Korean Protestant churches, Quirinius is mentioned 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 on the historicity of the Bible and the date of the birth of Jesus.