Luke 2:1 (BSB)
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.
Commentary on Luke 2:1
- John Calvin (Reformed), Calvin's Commentaries on Luke 2:1: Luke relates how it happened, that Christ was born in the city of Bethlehem, as his mother was living at a distance from her home, when she was approaching to her confinement. And first he sets aside the idea of human contrivance, “Il monstre que cela ne s'est point fait par advis ou conseil humain.” —”He shows that this was not by human advice or...
- Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Luke 2:1-7: The fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law; and it was foretold that he should be born at Bethlehem. Now here we have an account of the time, place, and manner of it. I. The time when our Lord Jesus was born.
- Albert Barnes (Presbyterian), Barnes' New Testament Notes on Luke 2:1: LUKE CHAPTER II. Verse 1. In those days. About the time of the birth of John and of Christ. A decree. A law commanding a thing to be done. Caesar Augustus. This was the Roman emperor. His first name was Octavianus. He was the nephew of Julius Caesar, and obtained the empire after his death. He took the name Augustus -- i.e.
- William Burkitt (Anglican), Expository Notes on the New Testament on Luke 2:1: The conclusion of the former chapter acquainted us with the birth of John the Baptist; the beginning of ths chapter relates the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the remarkable circumstances which did attend it. And here we have observable, 1. The place where he was born, not at Nazareth, but at Bethlehem, according to the prediction of the prophet Micah, Mic 5:2.