Lukeâs Explanation: The Census under Quirinius

N. Clayton Croy

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Chapter 3 Lukeâs Explanation: The Census under Quirinius

In: Escaping Shame: Mary's Dilemma and the Birthplace of Jesus

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N. Clayton Croy

N. Clayton Croy
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 39â80

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004370906_004

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Abstract

Luke accounts for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem by reference to a census under Quirinius that required Joseph and Mary to return to their ancestral home. The difficulties with Lukeâs account are well-known. According to Emil SchÃ¼rerâs classic treatment, there are five significant problems: (1) Apart from Luke 2:1 there is no record of an empire-wide census in the time of Augustus. (2) A Roman census would not have required Joseph to travel to Bethlehem. (3) It is unlikely that a Roman census would have been conducted in Palestine during the reign of Herod. (4) Josephus says nothing about a census in Palestine during the reign of Herod. (5) A census held under Quirinius could not have taken place in the reign of Herod, for Quirinius was not governor of Syria during Herodâs lifetime. In sum, the problems with Luke are considerable. Finally, a grammatical solution that would translate Luke 2:2 as âThis was a/the census before Quirinius was governing Syriaâ is shown to be highly unlikely.

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Escaping Shame: Mary's Dilemma and the Birthplace of Jesus

Series:Â Novum Testamentum, Supplements, Volume: 187

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004370906

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 23 Jun 2022

Subjects
- Biblical Studies

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Chapter 3 Lukeâs Explanation: The Census under Quirinius

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Escaping Shame: Mary's Dilemma and the Birthplace of Jesus

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Chapter 3 Lukeâs Explanation: The Census under Quirinius