Luke 2:2
French (La Sainte Bible par Louis Segond 1910)
Ce premier recensement eut lieu pendant que Quirinius était gouverneur de Syrie.
What Does This Mean?
This verse talks about a census that was ordered when Cyrenius (also known as Quirinius) was the governor of Syria. It helps us understand when Jesus was born relative to important historical events.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your school decided to count all the kids and families in town one day, just like this verse talks about counting people in a big area called Syria. This happened when Cyrenius was in charge there!
Historical Background
This passage is part of Luke's Gospel, written by Luke around AD 60 for Greek-speaking Christians living outside Palestine. It provides historical context to the birth of Jesus, linking it with Roman administrative actions.
Living It Out Today
Today, understanding this verse helps us see how God’s plans work through seemingly mundane events like a census. For example, imagine if you needed to prove your identity in an official document; that's similar to what was happening here for everyone during the census.
Topics
birth of JesuscensusRoman Empirehistorical contextgovernanceadministration
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Bible mention a Roman governor?
It shows how God’s plans intersect with historical events. Mentioning Cyrenius helps place Jesus' birth in an accurate timeframe, linking divine action to human history.
What was the purpose of this census mentioned in Luke 2:2?
The main goal was likely for taxation purposes, but it also served God’s plan by ensuring Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem at Jesus’ birth, fulfilling prophecy.
How reliable is Luke's account of historical events like this census?
Luke was a careful historian who wrote with great attention to detail. Many scholars find his accounts historically accurate and credible.
Why is it important to know the timing of Jesus' birth relative to the census?
Knowing when events occurred helps us understand the broader context in which God's plan unfolded, linking spiritual truths with historical facts.