P. Sulpicius (kwi-rin´ee-uhs, suhl-pi´shuhs), the Roman consul who held the position of governor (legate) of Syria for several years beginning in 6 CE. He is the “Quirinius” (KJV: “Cyrenius”) of (Luke 2:2), during whose administration the “enrollment” took place and Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The historian Josephus tells of a census carried out under Quirinius’s authority in 6 or 7 CE, after the banishment of Archelaus, the ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. There is a historical problem, however, in relating this census to the one mentioned in (Luke 2:1-3), because Jesus is also said to have been born during the reign of Herod the Great (Matt 2:1-22; Luke 1:5), who died in 4 BCE.
Luke 2:2
2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Luke 2:1-3
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.2This was the first registration and was taken ... View more
Matt 2:1-22
The Visit of the Wise Men
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,2asking, “Where is th ... View more
Luke 1:5
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. Hi ... View more
