Nov 197 min read

The Gospel of Luke and the Quirinius' Governorship

The Historical Background of Quirinius

The figure of Quirinius, mentioned in Luke’s Gospel as the governor of Syria during the time of Jesus’ birth, has been the subject of much scrutiny and debate. The Gospel of Luke records that Jesus was born in Bethlehem during a "registration" or census decreed by Caesar Augustus, which took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria (Luke 2:1-2). However, critics have pointed out what they perceive as a chronological problem, suggesting that the census described in Luke took place in 6 or 7 C.E., after Jesus’ birth, and therefore see this as an error or fabrication on Luke’s part. To assess this claim fairly, it is essential to examine not only the biblical evidence but also the historical context and secular sources concerning Quirinius.

Quirinius, or Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, is a well-documented figure in Roman history. He is known to have held several high-ranking positions within the Roman Empire and played a significant role in its military and administrative affairs. Notably, the Roman historian Tacitus describes Quirinius as a capable soldier and statesman, recording his consulate in 12 B.C.E. (The Annals III, XLVIII). Additionally, Josephus, the Jewish historian, mentions Quirinius’ involvement in a census and taxation effort in Judea in 6 C.E., which caused unrest and a revolt led by Judas the Galilean (Jewish Antiquities XVIII, 1, 2, 3, 4 [i, 1]).

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The Chronological Question: Was Luke Correct?

Critics of Luke’s account argue that since Quirinius’ governorship in Syria around 6 C.E. is well-documented, it would be impossible for him to have been governor when Jesus was born, around 2 B.C.E. They further claim that the census Luke refers to took place much later than the time of Jesus’ birth, thus creating an apparent historical discrepancy.

However, closer examination of the historical and archaeological evidence sheds light on the plausibility of Luke’s account. In 1764, an inscription known as the Lapis Tiburtinus was discovered, which reveals that Quirinius had been governor of Syria twice. Although this inscription does not explicitly name Quirinius, most scholars agree that the details align with his governorship, including references to a second term in Syria. The discovery supports the idea that Quirinius could have held office in Syria earlier, possibly around 2 B.C.E., during the time of Jesus’ birth.

Luke's careful distinction between the “first registration” and a later registration (Acts 5:37) corroborates this historical detail. Luke was clearly aware of the different registrations and the subsequent census that took place under Quirinius’ later governorship in 6 C.E. This shows that Luke was not conflating the two events. Rather, he was referring to an earlier census during Quirinius’ first term as governor, which would have been around 2 B.C.E., a date that aligns well with the birth of Jesus.

The Dual Governorship Theory and Quirinius’ Role

Another important factor that clarifies this issue is the possibility of dual governorship in Syria during the relevant period. Josephus mentions instances of dual governorship in Syria, where two individuals shared governing authority. For example, he records that Saturninus and Volumnius were both acting as governors of Syria at the same time (Jewish Antiquities XVI, 277, 280 [ix, 1]; XVI, 344 [x, 8]). If this precedent of dual rulership applied to Quirinius, it is possible that he served as governor of Syria alongside Saturninus or Varus, with Quirinius exercising special authority as a legate of the emperor during the census.

The possibility of Quirinius serving as a legate with extraordinary powers during this earlier census is supported by the term Luke uses to describe Quirinius’ role. The Greek word hegemōn (ἡγεμών), which Luke uses in Luke 2:2, is a more general term for a leader or high-ranking official and does not necessarily denote the formal title of governor. This word could refer to a legate or other high-ranking Roman official exercising significant authority. Thus, Quirinius could have been conducting the census as a legate under the overall governorship of Saturninus or Varus. This theory aligns with the historical evidence without undermining the credibility of Luke’s account.

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Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

Several inscriptions have been discovered that corroborate the historical role of Quirinius in Syria. One such inscription, found in Antioch, specifically mentions Quirinius by name, adding further credibility to the idea that he served in Syria during the late B.C.E. period. Additionally, the Lapis Venetus, an inscription found in Venice, refers to a census conducted by Quirinius in Syria, although it does not provide precise dating for this event. Nevertheless, these inscriptions lend historical support to the possibility of Quirinius being involved in multiple censuses and serving more than once as governor or legate of Syria.

Furthermore, the accuracy of Luke as a historian has been affirmed by numerous scholars and historians over the centuries. While Luke’s account has been challenged by some modern critics, it is important to note that there is no evidence that his contemporaries questioned his historical reliability. The early church father Justin Martyr, writing in the second century C.E., specifically cited Roman records as evidence of Luke’s accuracy in describing the census under Quirinius (A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, edited by B. Orchard, p. 943). This further strengthens the case that Luke’s account was considered trustworthy in his own time and that his reference to Quirinius’ governorship was based on reliable information.

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The Prophetic Significance of the Census

Beyond the historical details of Quirinius’ governorship, the census itself holds significant theological and prophetic importance. The decree from Caesar Augustus that all people should be registered (Luke 2:1) served as the means by which Jesus’ birth occurred in Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:2: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

The prophecy in Micah foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. This connection between the census and the fulfillment of prophecy underscores the sovereignty of Jehovah in directing the course of history. Even the actions of pagan rulers, such as Caesar Augustus, were used by Jehovah to bring about the fulfillment of His divine plan. In this case, the decree for a census led to Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born in accordance with God’s promise.

Additionally, the census may have fulfilled a prophecy found in Daniel 11:20, which speaks of a ruler who would "cause an exactor to pass through the splendid kingdom." This reference to an exactor or tax collector could apply to Augustus and his decree for a census in Israel, which resulted in the imposition of taxes. Daniel's prophecy goes on to describe the events leading to the Messiah, the "Leader of the covenant," being "broken" during the reign of the successor to this ruler. This would correspond to the reign of Tiberius, under whom Jesus was crucified. Thus, the census and the broader political context played a crucial role in the fulfillment of messianic prophecy.

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Was Luke in Error?

The argument that Luke’s account is erroneous based on the governorship of Quirinius or the timing of the census fails to consider the full weight of historical and archaeological evidence. Luke distinguishes between the “first registration” and a later registration, demonstrating that he was aware of the different censuses. The evidence from inscriptions and the possibility of dual governorship in Syria further support the plausibility of Quirinius being involved in an earlier census around 2 B.C.E., during the time of Jesus' birth.

Luke’s account aligns with known historical facts and reflects his careful attention to detail. Critics who allege that Luke fabricated the census to place Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem ignore the prophetic significance of the census and the fact that Luke’s historical reliability has been consistently affirmed by scholars and early Christian writers. The prophecy of Micah 5:2, fulfilled through the census, and the broader historical context demonstrate Jehovah’s sovereignty in orchestrating the events leading to the birth of the Messiah.

Luke, as a faithful historian and inspired author of Scripture, accurately recorded the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth, including the role of Quirinius as governor of Syria and the decree from Caesar Augustus. The evidence points to a reliable account of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, fulfilling the ancient prophecies and affirming the trustworthiness of Scripture.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).