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The first census of Quirinius

This article explores the controversial census of Quirinius, mentioned only by Luke, which supposedly took place in -2 BC, with no tangible evidence available. Luke is said to have checked his contemporary sources, lending credibility to his account, although the event's historicity remains debated.

2 min Quirinius census Luke Jesus Bethlehem 1 verse 1 book

Resources

You can consult:

Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew (King James Version) not cited in the book

Mark

Mark (King James Version) not cited in the book

Luke

Luke 2.1-2 (King James Version)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: Bethlehem in Judea

Date: The in October -2 BC

Method: We return to Luke

Note on the method: Luke alone records this episode

Joseph seems to have come from the village of Bethlehem, which would explain the couple's temporary settlement there.

The census of Quirinius

Comments

This historical note, reported only by Luke, has prompted much debate: although Quirinius's census in the year 6 is well known, the one in the year -2 left no written trace. We examine this historical information in detail in Appendix 9: ‘The censuses of Quirinius’.

When Luke speaks of the second census in Acts of the Apostles, he knows, as do all his contemporaries and future readers, that the first took place in -2. Luke had writings and testimonies that have since disappeared.

Although there is currently no evidence confirming this census, neither is there evidence disproving it. We know that the held them regularly, roughly every five years! Tax money had to flow into the state's coffers.

We observe that Luke, addressing his contemporaries, many still living witnesses, could not have written such a glaring error! On the contrary, he took care to research his subject and record only facts that were authentic and verifiable when he wrote. Today, we no longer have the evidence he possessed.

Le premier recensement de Quirinius. Cet article explore l'épisode controversé du recensement de Quirinius, mentionné uniquement par Luc, qui aurait eu lieu en -2 avant Jésus-Christ sans preuves tangibles disponibles. Luc aurait vérifié ses sources contemporaines, ajoutant crédibilité à son récit, bien que l'historicité de l'événement reste débattue. Commentaires. Cette note historique, rapportée par Luc uniquement, a entrainée de nombreux débats, car si le recensement de Quirinus daté de l’an 6 est bien connu celui de l’an -2 n’a pas laissé de trace dans les écrits, nous abordons cette information historique en détail dans l’annexe 9 : « Les recensements de Quirinius ». Lorsque Luc parle dans les Actes des Apôtres, du second recensement, il sait, ainsi que tous ses contemporains et futurs lecteurs, que le premier avait eu lieu en -2. Luc possédait des écrits et des témoignages disparus aujourd’hui. S’il n’y a pas de preuves à ce jour pour confirmer l’existence de ce cens, il n’y en a pas non plus pour l’infirmer. Nous savons que les Romain en faisaient régulièrement, tous les 5 ans environ ! Il fallait que l’argent des impôts entre dans les caisses de l’état. Nous observons, que Luc, s’adressant à ses contemporains, témoins encore vivant pour beaucoup, ne pouvait pas écrire une erreur aussi grossière ! Il a au contraire pris soin d’effectuer des recherches, afin de noter uniquement des faits authentiques et contrôlables au moment où il écrit. Nous n’avons plus, aujourd’hui, les preuves qu’il possédait.