Sunday, February 10, 2019 – Luke 2:1-4

The Advent of Jesus Christ, Pt. 1

The Journey to Bethlehem a Picture of Faith & Divine Providence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkCVS8DY6qk

Grace Fellowship Church

Pastor/Teacher, Jim Rickard

www.GraceDoctrine.org

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The Gospel of Luke - Chapter 2

Outline of the Book, based on Charles Ryrie’s:

I.  Preface: The Method and Purpose of Writing, Luke 1:1-4.

II. The Identification of the Son of Man with Men, Luke 1:5-4:13.

1. The Announcement of the Birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1:5-25.
2. The Announcement of the Birth of the Son of Man, Luke 1:26-56.
3. The Advent of John the Baptist, Luke 1:57-80.
4. The Advent of the Son of Man, Luke 2:1-20.
5. The Adoration of the Baby, Luke 2:21-38.
6. The Advancement of the Boy, Luke 2:39-52.
7. The Baptism of the Son of Man, Luke 3:1-22.
8. The Genealogy of the Son of Man, Luke 3:23-38.
9. The Temptation of the Son of Man, Luke 4:1-13.

II. The Identification of the Son of Man with Men, Luke 1:5-4:13.

     D. The Advent of the Son of Man, Luke 2:1-20.

1. The birth narrative, vs. 1-7.

2. The announcement to and adoration from the shepherds, vs. 8-20.

     E. The Adoration of the Baby, vs. 21-38.

         1. The circumcision, vs. 21-25.

         2. The adoration from Simeon, vs. 25-35.

         3. The adoration from Anna, vs. 36-38.

     F. The Advancement of the Boy, including the Temple incident at age 12, vs. 39-52.

We begin with the first section of our Lord’s birth narrative by Luke.

II. The Identification of the Son of Man with Men, Luke 1:5-4:13.

     D. The Advent of the Son of Man, Luke 2:1-20.

1. The birth narrative, vs. 1-7.

This chapter begins as Chapter 1 began, cf. Luke 1:5a, (“during the reign of king Herod,” 27-4 B.C.), with Luke giving a historical and chronological marker for the timeframe in which these events occur, vs. 1-2. Luke will do this again to begin Chapter 3, in vs. 1-2.

Vs. 1

Luke 2:1, “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.”

A “decree,” (the noun DOGMA, δόγμα, “decree, edict, or ordinance,”) was sent out to all the people in the Roman Empire by “Caesar Augustus,” (Kaisar, Καῖσαρ, “Caesar or Emperor,” Augoustos, Αὐγοῦστος, “Augustus,” September 63 B.C. – August 14 A.D., who was born Gaius Octavius Thurinuswho), was the first Emperor of the Roman Empire who reigned from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. He was the great-nephew and adopted son and heir of Julius Caesar. Our month August is named for him.

“Census,” is the Present, Middle, Infinitive Verb APOGRAPHO, ἀπογράφω that means, “record, to enroll, or inscribe in a register.” It is used here and in vs. 3, 5; Heb 12:23. The Noun APOGRAPHE ἀπογραφή that means, “registration, a record, or enrollment,” is used in vs. 2, and Acts 5:37. Although, not directly mentioned, the typical reason for taking a census was to ensure proper taxation of the people or to ascertain the military strength of the various provinces.

“Inhabited earth,” is the Greek OIKOUMENE, οἰκουμένη that means, “the inhabited earth, the world,” and used for the Roman Empire. This passage is noteworthy as defining the usual N.T. use of OIKOUMENE as the sphere of Roman rule at its greatest extent. It was one of the great Gentile world-monarchies, Dan 2:7f., which is peculiarly the sphere of prophecy. Romans regarded their great empire as the Orbis Terrarum, or “orb of the earth.” All lands beyond its boundaries were considered outer barbarism.

“I am thrilled when I read this simple, historically accurate passage with tremendous spiritual truth behind it. Caesar Augustus attempted to make himself a god. He wanted to be worshiped. He signed a tax bill which caused a woman and man, peasants, living in Nazareth, to journey to Bethlehem to enroll. That woman was carrying in her womb the Son of God! This is tremendous! This Caesar Augustus tried to make himself God, but nobody today reverences him or pays taxes to him. But that little baby in Mary's womb -- many of us worship Him today and call Him our Savior.” (Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee.)

Therefore, in vs. 1, the birth of Jesus Christ took place during the reign of “Caesar August.” He was merely the tool in God’s hand to bring to pass the prophecy.

Vs. 2

Luke 2:2, “This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.”

Now, in vs. 2, the birth also took place, “while Quirinius was governor of Syria.”

“Quirinius,” (KURENIOS, Κυρήνιος, “Kyrenios,” 51 B.C. – 21 A.D.), was apparently the “governor,” (HEGEMONEUO, ἡγεμονεύω a verb that means, “be leader, rule, or to govern”), of “Syria,” (Συρία) twice: from 4 B.C. to 1 A.D., when this census was taken, and again from 6-11 A.D., as confirmed archaeologically. His full name is Publius Sulpicius Quirinius. The province of Syria included Judaea as a political subdivision.

“The Greek word HEGEMON, which Luke uses for governor, would be used for either of the Roman titles, viz.: Proprætor, or senatorial governor; or Quæstor, or imperial commissioner. Quirinius may have commenced the enrollment as Quæstor and finished it ten years later as Proprætor. He was a well-known character in that age. Harsh and avaricious as a governor, but an able and loyal soldier, earning a Roman triumph for successes in Cilicia, and being honored by a public funeral in A.D. 21.” (A Harmony of the Four Gospels.)

The Jews hated their pagan conquerors and censuses were forbidden under Jewish law. The resultant taxation assessment was greatly resented by the Jews, and open revolt was prevented only by the efforts of the high priest Joazar, according to the Jewish Encyclopedia. Despite efforts to prevent revolt, the census did trigger the revolt of Judas of Galilee and the formation of the party of the Zealots, according to Josephus.

Though neither knew it, God used Caesar and Quirinius to fulfill what He promised long ago in Micah 5:2, seven hundred years before the birth of Christ.

Because of the death of King Herod in 4 B.C., and the beginning of Quirinius’ Governorship in the same year, most place the birth of Jesus Christ at around 4 B.C.

Vs. 3

Luke 2:3, “And everyone was on his way to register for the census (APOGRAPHO), each to his own city.”

In vs. 3, “everyone to his own city,” The Romans enrolled each person at the place where he was then residing; but the Jews were to return to their ancestral or tribal cities and enroll themselves as citizens of these cities. This was the city where Joseph’s ancestors had been settled by Joshua when he divided the land, Joshua 13, and was the home town of David, the ancestor of Joseph and Jesus.

Vs. 4

Luke 2:4, “Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David.”

Although Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth and Mary was possibly in her last trimester of pregnancy, they journeyed about 100 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Regardless of the demands of the Roman census and tax law, Luke includes this narrative to once again focus our attention on the establishment of Davidic ancestry for Jesus through His legal father Joseph. Cf. 1 Sam 17:12.

1 Sam 17:12, “Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sons. And Jesse was old in the days of Saul, advanced in years among men.”

In addition, Joseph and Mary may have been well aware of the prophecy of the birthplace of the Messiah from Micah 5:2-3, that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, providing them with an even greater motivation for going to the city of David, cf. Mat 2:1, 5-6, 8, 16; Luke 2:15; John 7:42.

Micah 5:2, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”

Micah 5:3, “Therefore He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren will return to the sons of Israel.” This prophecy was written well after David had perished.

“Bethlehem,” (Βηθλέεμ BETHLEEM), located 5 miles south of Jerusalem means, “house of bread.” It was the later or Jewish name for the old Canaanitish village of Ephrath, the Ephrath near where Rachel, the wife of Jacob, died while giving birth to Benjamin, Gen 35:19. It sat 2,350 feet above sea level, surrounded by fertile farmland and grass-covered hillsides.

Gen 35:19, “So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”

Gal 4:4, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.”