Quirinius Κυρήνιος
Governor of Syria during a census mentioned in Luke
Who is Quirinius in the Bible?
Quirinius was the governor of Syria who ordered a census mentioned in Luke 2:2, which took place around the time of Jesus' birth. This census, decreed by Caesar Augustus, required all people to return to their ancestral towns for registration, prompting Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The historical details surrounding Quirinius and the exact timing of this census have been subjects of scholarly debate, as some apparent discrepancies exist between Luke's account and other historical records from the period. Nevertheless, Quirinius' role in the Gospel narrative anchors the birth of Jesus within a specific historical and political context in the Roman Empire.
Biography
Quirinius was the governor of Syria at the time of a census that took place around the birth of Jesus (Luk.2.2). This census, ordered by Caesar Augustus, required everyone to return to their ancestral towns to be registered. As a result, Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The mention of Quirinius helps to provide a historical context for the birth of Christ. However, the exact date of this census and Quirinius' governorship have been the subject of much scholarly debate, as there are some apparent discrepancies between the biblical account and other historical records.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentLuke 1 verse
- Luke 2:2
"This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Κυρήνιος |
Quirinius
ible:Exod.21.19">Ex 21:19,28; Jos 2:20 the King James Version) is "t