Luke 2 5

Luke 2:5 kjv

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Luke 2:5 nkjv

to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

Luke 2:5 niv

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Luke 2:5 esv

to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

Luke 2:5 nlt

He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 5 Meaning

Luke 2:5 describes Joseph and Mary undertaking a journey to Bethlehem to comply with the Roman decree for a census. This verse specifically highlights Mary's presence with Joseph, emphasizing her legal status as his espoused wife and her physical condition as being heavily pregnant. It sets the immediate scene for the impending birth of Jesus, indicating the difficult circumstances and their obedience to governmental authority.

Luke 2 5 Context

Luke 2:5 is central to understanding the events leading to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. The preceding verses (Lk 2:1-3) establish the decree from Caesar Augustus for a universal census, requiring everyone to return to their ancestral towns for registration. This Roman administrative act, seemingly secular, becomes the divine instrument to fulfill ancient prophecy (Mic 5:2) that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. Joseph, being of the house and lineage of David (Lk 2:4), must go to Bethlehem. Verse 5 explains that Mary accompanied him, not merely as his companion, but as his lawfully betrothed wife, crucially "being great with child," which sets up the immediacy of the birth event in the subsequent verses (Lk 2:6-7). This entire journey underscores the providential hand of God working through mundane political decrees to achieve His eternal plan for the Savior's arrival.

Luke 2 5 Word analysis

• to be taxed (ἀπογράψασθαι - apograpsasthai): This verb signifies "to enroll oneself," "to register," or "to be counted." In this context, it specifically refers to registration for a Roman census, which served administrative purposes like taxation and population enumeration. The active participation of Joseph and Mary in this civic duty demonstrates their submission to temporal authority, an action consistent with broader biblical teachings on respectful governance. This registration, however, became the divine mechanism by which Mary, then heavily pregnant, found herself in Bethlehem at the appointed time.
• with Mary (σὺν Μαριὰμ - syn Mariam): The Greek preposition syn indicates accompaniment or companionship. It signifies that Mary was not only present but was traveling along with Joseph. This detail highlights Joseph's responsible care for Mary, especially given her advanced pregnancy. Their journey together demonstrates a unified purpose and commitment within their unique situation.
• his espoused wife (τῇ ἐμνηστευμένῃ αὐτῷ γυναικὶ - tē emnēsteumenē autō gynaiki):
  • Emnēsteumenē is a perfect passive participle of the verb mnesteuō, meaning "to betroth" or "to pledge to marry." This term highlights the legal and social reality of their relationship in Jewish culture. Betrothal was far more binding than modern engagement; it was considered the first, legally unbreakable stage of marriage, though typically not consummated until the formal wedding. This clarifies Mary's status—she was legally Joseph's wife, which protected her honor and provided legitimacy within the cultural norms, even though Jesus was conceived miraculously. This legal connection also ensured Jesus' documented lineage through Joseph back to King David.
  • gynaiki means "wife" or "woman." Even in her betrothed state, the term "wife" accurately reflected her legal status and position in relation to Joseph, emphasizing their binding, pre-marriage commitment.
• being great with child (οὔσῃ ἐγκύῳ - ousē enkūō):
  • Ousē is the feminine present participle of eimi "to be," meaning "being."
  • Enkūō literally means "in-womb" or "pregnant." This phrase clearly and directly states Mary's condition: she was in the late stages of pregnancy. This detail is crucial for several reasons: it explains the urgency and challenge of their journey; it confirms the approaching birth; and it emphasizes the humble and vulnerable circumstances under which the Son of God was about to be born, on a challenging journey away from the comforts of home. It links directly to the prior angelic announcement of her miraculous conception.

Words-group analysis:

• "to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife": This phrase combines the governmental requirement with their marital status, emphasizing that their compliance was a joint, legally recognized effort. It underscores that Mary's journey was not a casual accompaniment but a necessity imposed upon the "household," defining her legal tie to Joseph within the census framework, thus aligning her with his lineage.
• "his espoused wife, being great with child": This particular phrasing juxtaposes their legal status ("espoused wife") with Mary's physical condition ("being great with child"). This tension powerfully communicates the unique circumstances of Jesus' conception—a virgin legally betrothed to Joseph, carrying a child miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit. It highlights the divine orchestrating of a human situation (a census journey for a heavily pregnant betrothed woman) to fulfill Messianic prophecy. This combination also underscores the immense physical difficulty and inconvenience of the journey for Mary, showcasing their obedience and faith amidst arduous conditions.

Luke 2 5 Bonus section

• The Length of the Journey: The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was approximately 70-90 miles (110-145 km). For a heavily pregnant woman, even likely riding a donkey, this was a difficult and arduous undertaking, taking several days. This detail deepens the appreciation for Mary and Joseph's obedience and resilience.
• Legality of Betrothal: In Jewish custom, betrothal was legally binding, almost equivalent to marriage. It could only be dissolved by divorce, or by death. This clarifies why Mary is referred to as "espoused wife" and why Joseph needed angelic intervention when he learned of her pregnancy (Matt 1:19-20) to fully accept the miraculous nature of her conception, preserving her honor and the purity of their union.
• God's Sovereignty in Secular Events: This verse powerfully illustrates how God utilizes political decrees and mundane human events (like a census) to bring about His divine, prophetic will. What seems like an inconvenient administrative requirement for the Roman Empire became the very means for the Messiah to be born in His appointed city, at His appointed time.

Luke 2 5 Commentary

Luke 2:5 provides a poignant snapshot of Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem, emphasizing divine orchestration through human decree. The Roman census, an act of imperial power and taxation, unknowingly served as God's instrument to fulfill the ancient prophecy of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem. Mary's inclusion, specifically described as Joseph's "espoused wife" and "great with child," highlights her legal status—crucial for securing Jesus' Davidic lineage through Joseph—and her imminent, vulnerable state. This detail humanizes the biblical narrative, showing the Messiah entering the world not in grandeur, but through a demanding journey by his humble, obedient parents. It underscores themes of obedience to civil authority, the perfect timing of God's redemptive plan, and the profound humility inherent in Christ's incarnation.