Luke 2:2-4
New English Translation
2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor[a] of Syria. 3 Everyone[b] went to his own town[c] to be registered. 4 So[d] Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth[e] in Galilee to Judea, to the city[f] of David called Bethlehem,[g] because he was of the house[h] and family line[i] of David.
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- Luke 2:2 tn Or “was a minister of Syria.” This term could simply refer to an administrative role Quirinius held as opposed to being governor (Josephus, Ant. 18.4.2 [18.88]). See also Luke 2:1.
- Luke 2:3 tn Grk “And everyone.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
- Luke 2:3 tn Or “hometown” (so CEV).
- Luke 2:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the consequential nature of the action.
- Luke 2:4 sn On Nazareth see Luke 1:26.
- Luke 2:4 tn Or “town.” The translation “city” is used here because of its collocation with “of David,” suggesting its importance, though not its size.
- Luke 2:4 sn The journey from Nazareth to the city of David called Bethlehem was a journey of about 90 mi (150 km). Bethlehem was a small village located about 7 miles south-southwest of Jerusalem.
- Luke 2:4 sn Luke’s use of the term “house” probably alludes to the original promise made to David outlined in the Nathan oracle of 2 Sam 7:12-16, especially in light of earlier connections between Jesus and David made in Luke 1:32. Further, the mention of Bethlehem reminds one of the promise of Mic 5:2, namely, that a great king would emerge from Bethlehem to rule over God’s people.
- Luke 2:4 tn Or “family,” “lineage.”
Luke 2:2-4
New International Version
2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(A) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(B) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
Footnotes
- Luke 2:2 Or This census took place before
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