2:2

This verse tells what was happening in the history of the world at the time when Jesus was born. Some versions, such as the New International Version, put this verse in parentheses to show that it is background information. Consider how your language would indicate that 2:2 is background information.

2:2a–b

the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria: Scholars understand this sentence in different ways. The two main interpretations are:

(1) This was the first census in the Roman Empire. It happened while Quirinius was governor. For example:

This was the first registration; it was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. (New Century Version)

(Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, New Century Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor. This meaning implies that there was at least one later census while he was governor. For example:

This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, God’s Word, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

census: The word census is the noun form of the Greek verb that means “register, enroll” that was used in 2:1b. Other words for census are “registration” and “enrollment.”

In some languages it may be more natural to use a verb phrase here. For example:

they wrote people’s names in a book

Quirinius: Quirinius is the name of a man. He was one of the Roman leaders who served Caesar. He governed a province that Rome ruled at that time.

governor: A governor was the leader of a province or country. The emperor had appointed him to this position.

Syria: Syria was one of many provinces or districts that the Romans ruled. It was a more powerful province than Judea and Galilee. In some languages it may be helpful to make it explicit that Syria was a province. For example:

⌊the province of⌋ Syria

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