Bible Strands
Luke 2:1
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Luke addresses his reader by narrating events that precede Jesus’ birth, anchoring the account in the administrative timeline of the Roman Empire. The moment is defined by an imperial edict issued during Caesar Augustus’s reign.
The words — ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen) means “went out” and δόγμα (dogma) means “a decree,” describing an official imperial order. These terms frame the census as a top-down administrative action rather than a local initiative.
The thread — The intersection of imperial authority and divine timing recurs in Luke 3:1, which dates John’s ministry to Tiberius’s fifteenth year, and Acts 25:21, where Paul invokes the Emperor’s jurisdiction. Matthew 24:14 extends the pattern by tying global proclamation to the end of the age.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that salvation history operates within documented political structures. It demands recognition that earthly governance is a temporary framework over which divine sovereignty remains absolute.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Cross-references
- Luke 3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
- Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
- Acts 25:21 But when Paul appealed to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar.”
- Matthew 22:17 So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
- Philippians 4:22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those from the household of Caesar.
- Acts 11:28 One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.)
- Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world.
- Mark 14:9 And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
- Acts 25:11 If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
- Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.