Luk 2:1-7 | JFB | STEP | 1. Cæsar Augustus-- the first of the Roman emperors. all the world-- so the vast Roman Empire was termed. taxed-- enrolled, or register themselves.

‏ Luke 2:1-7

CHAPTER 2 Lu 2:1-7. Birth of Christ.

1. Cæsar Augustus--the first of the Roman emperors.

all the world--so the vast Roman Empire was termed.

taxed--enrolled, or register themselves.

2. first ... when Cyrenius, &c.--a very perplexing verse, inasmuch as Cyrenius, or Quirinus, appears not to have been governor of Syria for about ten years after the birth of Christ, and the "taxing" under his administration was what led to the insurrection mentioned in Ac 5:37. That there was a taxing, however, of the whole Roman Empire under Augustus, is now admitted by all; and candid critics, even of skeptical tendency, are ready to allow that there is not likely to be any real inaccuracy in the statement of our Evangelist. Many superior scholars would render the words thus, "This registration was previous to Cyrenius being governor of Syria"--as the word "first" is rendered in Joh 1:15; 15:18. In this case, of course, the difficulty vanishes. But it is perhaps better to suppose, with others, that the registration may have been ordered with a view to the taxation, about the time of our Lord's birth, though the taxing itself--an obnoxious measure in Palestine--was not carried out till the time of Quirinus.

3. went ... to his own city--the city of his extraction, according to the Jewish custom, not of his abode, which was the usual Roman method.

4-5. Not only does Joseph, who was of the royal line, go to Bethlehem (1Sa 16:1), but Mary too--not from choice surely in her condition, but, probably, for personal enrollment, as herself an heiress.

6. while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered--Mary had up to this time been living at the wrong place for Messiah's birth. A little longer stay at Nazareth, and the prophecy would have failed. But lo! with no intention certainly on her part, much less of Cæsar Augustus, to fulfil the prophecy, she is brought from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and at that nick of time her period arrives, and her Babe is born (Psa 118:23). "Every creature walks blindfold; only He that dwells in light knows whether they go" [Bishop Hall].

7. first-born--So Mt 1:25; yet the law, in speaking of the first-born, regardeth not whether any were born after or no, but only that none were born before [Lightfoot].

wrapt him ... laid him--The mother herself did so. Had she then none to help her? It would seem so (2Co 8:9).

a manger--the manger, the bench to which the horses' heads were tied, on which their food could rest [Webster and Wilkinson].

no room in the inn--a square erection, open inside, where travellers put up, and whose rear parts were used as stables. The ancient tradition, that our Lord was born in a grotto or cave, is quite consistent with this, the country being rocky. In Mary's condition the journey would be a slow one, and ere they arrived, the inn would be fully occupied--affecting anticipation of the reception He was throughout to meet with (Joh 1:11).

Wrapt in His swaddling--bands,

And in His manger laid,

The hope and glory of all lands

Is come to the world's aid.

No peaceful home upon His cradle smiled,

Guests rudely went and came where slept the royal Child.

Keble

But some "guests went and came" not "rudely," but reverently. God sent visitors of His own to pay court to the new-born King.