Quirinius and the precision of Luke

Originally posted on December 22, 2025 – by Andre Piet

Luke describes the birth of Jesus against a clear historical background. In doing so he mentions an enrollment and the name of Quirinius. Precisely that combination has often raised questions. The problem becomes apparent as soon as we read how this verse is rendered in many translations:

This enrollment was first when Quirinius is governing Syria.
— Luke 2:2

Whoever reads this sentence in this way can hardly escape the impression that Jesus was born during the administration of Quirinius as governor. That seems to clash with other historical data, because Quirinius is mainly known for a census that took place later, in 6 AD. Yet the problem does not lie with Luke, but with the way this verse is often understood.

the first enrollment

For Luke explicitly speaks of “the first enrollment.” That word is decisive. A first presupposes a comparison: first in relation to another. Luke therefore makes a distinction. He does not write about the well-known census under Quirinius, but about an earlier registration.

That this distinction is intentional becomes clear when we read Luke’s second book. There he himself explicitly refers to that later, well-known census:

After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the enrollment and draws away some people after him. He also perished, and all, whoever were persuaded by him, were dispersed.
— Acts 5:37

This enrollment under Quirinius was widely known and was accompanied by unrest. Luke is therefore well acquainted with that event. Precisely for that reason it is striking that in Luke 2 he speaks of the first enrollment.

the little word “when”

Here the small word “when” plays a major role. In the NBG translation it reads: “when Quirinius was governor of Syria.” That suggests that both events coincide. But Luke himself does not write it that way. In the original text there is no word that explicitly means “when.” By adding this word, an impression of simultaneity arises that Luke himself does not establish.

Luke mentions Quirinius in order to make clear which enrollment he does not mean. It is not about the well-known, later census from Acts 5, but about the first registration.

Quirinius as point of reference

That explains why the name of Quirinius appears here. His name functions as a point of reference. By mentioning him in combination with the word “first,” Luke makes clear that this enrollment precedes the later, so well-known census. The reference is therefore not confusing, but rather clarifying — provided we do not make Luke say more than he says.

Luke’s own point of departure

This carefulness fits perfectly with what Luke himself writes at the beginning of his evangel:

Seeing that many undertake to compile a narrative concerning the matters carried out among us, according as those who from the beginning became eyewitnesses and attendants of the word give over to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed accurately from above all matters, to write to you consecutively, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty concerning the accounts in which you were instructed.
— Luke 1:1-4

Here Luke deliberately presents himself as someone who makes careful distinctions and gives a reliable report. Whoever reads Luke 2:2 in that light discovers no mistake, but precision. The problem does not arise from what Luke writes, but from what is added in translations. As soon as we allow Luke to speak in his own wording, it becomes clear how accurately he delineates his historical context.

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