Luke 2 3

Luke 2:3 kjv

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

Luke 2:3 nkjv

So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Luke 2:3 niv

And everyone went to their own town to register.

Luke 2:3 esv

And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

Luke 2:3 nlt

All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 3 Meaning

Luke 2:3 describes the universal decree of Caesar Augustus for a census, which required "all" inhabitants of the Roman world, particularly those subject to this specific registration method, to travel to their ancestral or family "town" of origin for enrollment. This movement facilitated the divine plan for Jesus Christ to be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, as prophesied in the Old Testament. The verse highlights the extensive reach of Roman authority and simultaneously underscores God's sovereignty over human affairs, utilizing a worldly decree for the fulfillment of His sacred purposes.

Luke 2 3 Context

Luke 2:3 follows the imperial decree mentioned in Luke 2:1-2, stating that "a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria." The broader chapter context sets the scene for Jesus' birth. Rome, an oppressive force from a Jewish perspective, unintentionally becomes the instrument for God's purposes. The census mandates people to return to their ancestral towns, which directly necessitates Joseph, being of the house and lineage of David, to travel with Mary from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea (Lk 2:4). This seemingly secular administrative order serves to fulfill the centuries-old prophecy found in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The historical backdrop includes the Roman Empire's methods of administration, which involved systematic population registration for taxation and military recruitment. For the Jews, who valued their tribal and family lineage, returning to their ancestral towns for such a registration aligned, perhaps coincidentally, with a deeply held cultural identity, making the requirement relatable though burdensome.

Luke 2 3 Word analysis

• And: Greek: kai (καὶ). A simple conjunction, connecting this action to the previous statement about the census decree, implying direct consequence.
• all: Greek: pantes (πάντες). Means "all," "everyone." It denotes the comprehensive nature of the census decree. This was not a localized event but a widespread imperial directive affecting a vast population, signifying the Roman reach. The scope, "all the world" (Lk 2:1), highlights the profound impact of this decree, indicating a massive movement of people across the province or empire.
• went: Greek: aporeuonto (ἀπορεύοντο). Imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing, continuous, or repeated action. People were in the process of going, indicating a significant and sustained period of travel for many. It denotes "journeyed away" or "proceeded forth."
• to be registered: Greek: apographesthai (ἀπογράφεσθαι). The infinitive form of the verb apographō, meaning "to enroll," "to register," "to be entered on a list." It specifically refers to the act of recording names in an official register, characteristic of a census. This term often had implications for taxation or military conscription within the Roman system.
• everyone: Greek: hekastos (ἕκαστος). Emphasizes the individual aspect within the collective "all." While it was a universal decree, each person had a specific, individualized requirement regarding their destination. This draws attention to the personal responsibility to comply.
• to his own town: Greek: eis ten idian polin (εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλη). "To his own" (idian) refers to that which pertains to oneself, distinct and particular. "Town" (polin) refers to a city or a settled place. This phrase specifies the destination for registration as the town of one's origin, ancestral lineage, or family home. For Joseph, this meant Bethlehem, the city of David, as his familial roots were there. This method of registration was unusual for the Romans but vital for the prophecy to be fulfilled through Joseph and Mary's journey.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And all went": This phrase emphasizes the sweeping obedience to Caesar's decree, showing its wide impact and implementation across the Roman-governed areas mentioned. It signifies the immense scale of the migration and its disruption to daily life.
• "to be registered, everyone": Reinforces the universal scope of the census but also underlines the personal obligation. It was a required personal act of enrollment for every individual subject to the decree, leaving no one exempt who fell under its purview.
• "to his own town": This crucial detail provides the geographical directive that ensured the fulfillment of prophecy. It denotes a system where individuals, likely based on patriarchal or ancestral lineage, returned to their tribal or family's original place of residence for record-keeping. For Joseph, it meant traveling to Bethlehem, his ancestral town, fulfilling Micah 5:2, irrespective of his current residence in Nazareth. This element transforms a Roman administrative detail into an instrument of divine plan.

Luke 2 3 Bonus section

The seemingly inconvenient demand for travel and registration underlines a theological truth: God’s plans are not contingent on human cooperation, but often operate through human activity, even that which is secular or without direct divine intention. The journey was not merely a physical displacement but a spiritual alignment with God’s timeline for the coming of His Son. Furthermore, the meticulous nature of Roman census-taking also highlights the historical accuracy and verifiable details within the biblical narrative, contrasting it with mythical accounts. The census served to ground the Messiah's arrival in verifiable human history, confirming His earthly lineage and connecting Him precisely to the House of David and the promised birthplace. This event demonstrates the principle that God's sovereignty is often subtly at work within the commonplace, making ordinary actions instrumental in extraordinary divine purposes.

Luke 2 3 Commentary

Luke 2:3 reveals the masterful interplay between human authority and divine sovereignty. Caesar Augustus, ruling the most powerful empire of his time, issued a seemingly mundane administrative decree for a census. Yet, this very decree became the mechanism through which God orchestrated the birth of His Son in the specific, prophesied location of Bethlehem (Mic 5:2). The inconvenience of widespread travel "everyone to his own town" meant that Joseph and Mary, who resided in Nazareth, were compelled to journey to Bethlehem. This highlights that no human plan or political action, no matter how powerful or arbitrary, falls outside God's ultimate control. He works even through the decrees of secular rulers (Prov 21:1, Dan 2:21) to achieve His perfect will. The verse underscores God's meticulous attention to detail and His patient working across centuries to ensure His promises are precisely fulfilled at the appointed time. The decree, intended for Roman administration, thus inadvertently served as a vehicle for messianic fulfillment. This historical event shows how God can use everyday occurrences and systems for His profound redemptive purposes, turning the burdens of this world into opportunities for His grace.