Luke 2:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Matthew focuses solely on the incarnation of Christ in human form, while Luke provides a temporal context by mentioning the census that occurred during that epoch. He writes: "In the forty-first year of Caesar Augustus, there came out... a command to take a census of the whole earth..." Luke includes this census to establish a timeline and to reveal that the profound mystery, albeit evident, isn’t immediately recognized. He notes that the inaugural and mandatory census marks the arrival of humanity. It was imperative that, alongside the birth of Christ, the glorification of the flesh, the defeat of the adversary, and the annihilation of death occurred—so that the names of the righteous and faithful might be recorded in the celestial ledger, commanded on earth by Caesar and in heaven by the Father to the angels. In this context, the Lord taught His disciples, saying: "Rejoice not that the spirits obey you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20).

Beloved, when our shared Savior Jesus Christ was destined to be born, a universal edict was issued by Caesar Augustus. As divine grace was set to illuminate the entire world, so too did this public decree touch upon matters of faith, unifying the cosmic order at the Savior's birth. The command from Caesar Augustus mandated a census of all creation to foster the unity of faith, paving the way for the proclamation of the Gospel and the dissemination of doctrine. Prior to this, numerous local authorities existed without a Caesar’s decree to announce such a universal occurrence; but as the Gospel was to be proclaimed far and wide, the entire world came together under a single directive, bridging earth and heaven for the benefit of humanity, ensuring that the divine truth was revealed to all. Caesar Augustus commanded, and Joseph complied, taking the Virgin Mary. When one inquires of a Greek or a Jew why Augustus was celebrated with an extended reign—fifty-six years and four months—often they remain perplexed, attributing his longevity to chance, unaware of the divine plan at work. Under his reign, Christ was born. Thus, since Augustus held the title of Roman emperor and was the first, Christ naturally chose to incarnate at the inception of the Roman Empire’s dominance.

The rule of iron was to be introduced, as proclaimed by David, "Thou shalt shepherd them with a rod of iron," and “Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the nations for Thy inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Thy possession” (Ps. 2:9, 8). It is as though the Father speaks to the Son, indicating that the Jews rejected His kingship and scorned His authority, diminishing in number those who converted. "Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the nations for Thy heritage, and the farthest reaches of the earth for Thy possession, not just a small section of Palestine or a circumcised people who are empty and without heart." You will scatter them, not just by words, but through actions, with a rod of iron wielded by Roman authority; thus, they became subject to the dominion of the rod.

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem and encountered commerce within the temple—merchants buying and selling under the guise of sacrificial offerings—He fashioned a whip from cords and expelled the vendors, exclaiming, "Do not make my Father's house a house of merchandise" (John 2:16). Had they accepted that rod, they could have avoided the rod of iron; however, since they disregarded the saving rod, they fell not to the scourge of discernment with words, but under the iron rod, which struck them down, not merely wounding them, but leading to their destruction. Consequently, when the kingdom of iron began during Augustus's rule, it ushered in the birth of Christ. The Roman dominion marked the commencement of the proclamation of the Gospel, the fourth kingdom of prophecy. This reality is intricately foretold by the prophets; neither the Old nor the New Testament remains unrecorded, as the Old warns the New and the New elucidates the Old.

As I have often stated, the two covenants and their respective servants serve as guardians accompanying our Sovereign Lord. The Lord was proclaimed through the prophets; Christ is revealed in the New Testament; the new is not entirely new, for it is grounded in the old, and the old is not disregarded, as it is interpreted through the New Testament. You may recall that Daniel, though young, was graced with prophetic insight in Babylon. Why Babylon? Because the people had been exiled there for seventy years after their captivity in Assyria. In that foreign land, Daniel was raised, untouched by the surrounding influences. He possessed fatherly discernment, and from his youth served as a prophet, filled with the Holy Spirit, commencing his prophetic mission at eighteen.

Daniel prophesied numerous things, including interpretations of the four kingdoms. Nebuchadnezzar, the Assyrian king, had a vision of an image composed of four distinct elements—gold, silver, brass, and iron—that represented four kingdoms (Dan. 2:31-45). The king perceived it, but none could offer an explanation. The magicians, the Chaldeans, and fortune-tellers were summoned, and they proposed, "Tell us the dream, and we will interpret it" (Dan. 2:4). God, intending to protect the king from their deceit, made him forget the dream; so he asked, "Tell me the dream" (Dan. 2:9). When they confessed their inability to disclose the king's dream unless they heard it, Daniel, known for his divine gifts, was called upon. He approached King Nebuchadnezzar, revealing the dream through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, saying, "O king, you have seen this." Among the prophet's words, the listener recalled his vision, and after sharing the dream, Daniel was recognized as a dependable interpreter. He explained that the image represents four kingdoms destined to arise on the earth (Dan. 2:37-38).

This image, a unified entity, bore four distinct components. Yet, he warned the king, "You have observed that a stone was cut out without hands and crushed the image, which then filled the entire land" (Dan. 2:34-35). How was that stone hewn? Not by iron, but without human intervention, akin to how the Virgin birthed without human aid; this stone struck the image and grew into a vast mountain that filled the entire earth. What sort of stone is that? Consider what Isaiah proclaims: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" (cf. Is. 8:14, Is. 28:16), and "whoever believes in Him shall not be ashamed" (Rom. 9:33). Yet Isaiah does not speak solely of this stone; David too prophesies: "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes" (Ps. 117:22-23). What does the cornerstone symbolize? Each corner unites two walls; this Stone, therefore, binds the New Testament and the Old Testament and brings together the two peoples—the Gentiles and the Jews—demonstrating that "this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes," particularly for those of us who believe.

So, whenever you witness the preservation of the church composed of both Jews and Gentiles through the mediation of this single Stone, keep these insights foremost in your thoughts. Yet, someone may inquire, "Where do the Jews fit in among us? We see only the Gentiles. But where are the Jews? From where do Paul, Peter, Andrew, and John hail? From where did the thousands in Jerusalem originate? Initially, they came from the Jews, and then from the Gentiles. When those among them, trusting in godliness, came to faith, the rod of iron would come and disperse those who remained in disbelief, for "Thou shalt smite them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt shatter them like a potter's vessel" (Ps. 2:9).

Why likened to a potter's vessel? If clay falls while it is still soft, it can be restored, but if a vessel is formed and then fired, turning into a hard shard, it cannot be remade once broken. "Forsake me under the rod of iron, as the vessels of scarcity crush me." Christ's birth occurred during the iron's reign, as the stone is hewn without human intervention. Note how the actions align with the spoken words: the stone shattered the image and abolished the kingdoms that existed on earth; it became a great mountain, filling the entire world. Nebuchadnezzar witnessed this dream, but he forgot it, lest he reveal it to the magicians and be misled by them, hearing one thing instead of another.

Then Daniel had a separate vision, not merely a dream but a revelation. It seemed to him as if he stood by the sea; he reported, "Four great beasts came up from the sea" (Dan. 7:3). As we proceed with the prophecy’s nuances, he mentions, "There arose four great beasts out of the sea, different from one another," indicating major distinctions. "The first was like a lion, but it had eagle's wings" (Dan. 7:4). There we see gold connected to luxury, and here a lion for its strength and nobility. The second beast appeared as a bear, "standing on one side" (Dan. 7:5). That is silver, here depicted as a bear, symbolizing cruelty. The third beast appeared as a leopard (Gr. 'παρδαλις') (Dan. 7:6), the swiftest of creatures. Alexander, king of Macedon, quickly invaded the east, hence the leopard's comparison. Again, copper is mentioned in association with the eloquence of Greek speech; yet the leopard signifies the remarkable swiftness of conquest. He also spoke of a fourth beast, describing it as "terrible and exceedingly dreadful" (Dan. 7:7), having great iron teeth that ravaged, crushed, and trampled the remnants. It was unlike any beast before it; thus, the prophet refrained from naming it, to avoid denouncing the Roman power.

Yet when this fourth beast appeared, the prophet trembled, overwhelmed by its terror as it devoured and dominated everything; it asserted its control over all it encountered. The prophet then described a vision where "thrones were set, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; thousands and thousands served Him, and myriads stood before Him" (Dan. 7:9-10). "The books were opened" (Dan. 7:10), and behold, "the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven and approached the Ancient of Days" (Dan. 7:13). What followed? No longer did beasts roam, nor was there fear of the sea; He took authority and became the ultimate Sovereign: "His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is one that shall not be destroyed" (Dan. 7:14). "Here is the end of the word" (Dan. 7:28), states the prophet. The prophet observed the four kingdoms aligned with his spiritual detachment, while the king perceived them in splendor—gold, silver, brass, and iron. If the king had viewed the kingdoms as beasts and Daniel had declared, "Thou art the first beast," it would have been offensive; instead, the king saw as royalty, while the prophet perceived in a different dimension.

This discourse, beloved, was shared not without purpose, nor without merit, for it reassures us that the reign of Augustus was glorified, honored, and enduring, simply because Christ was born under him. Thus, humanity was so esteemed that even his name became synonymous with honor. He ruled fifty-six years, and when he was forty-two years old, Christ arrived; thus, Christ was nurtured during fifteen years of Augustus’s reign. Following Augustus, Tiberius took the throne, and in the eighteenth year of his reign, Christ was crucified, suffered, was resurrected, and ascended. Consequently, during Augustus’ rule, He lived for fifteen years, but under Tiberius, He lived eighteen. Jesus, at thirty years of age during Tiberius Caesar's reign, revealed His divinity to His disciples and preached for three years. The Trinity is revered throughout this timeline; after three years of ministry, He faced suffering in the eighteenth year of Tiberius’ rule, fulfilling the divine plan.

Christ was born in Bethlehem during the period when Caesar Augustus mandated the first census. One might wonder why the wise Evangelist would highlight this detail. It is important to acknowledge the timing of our Savior's birth, as the Patriarch proclaimed, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the gathering of the people" (Genesis 49:10). Thus, it is essential to understand that at that time, the people of Israel did not have a king from the Davidic line, and the authority among their leaders had diminished. The mention of Caesar's decree is significant, for Judah was then under his authority, along with other nations, demonstrating that he who issued the command was indeed their ruler.

When discussing the birth of the Savior, it is important to contemplate the timing of His incarnation. The reference to the worldly census in the narrative of the Lord’s nativity serves to unveil a divine mystery: a census intended for earthly acknowledgment is rich with spiritual significance, marking the reign of a heavenly Sovereign. This enumeration of souls symbolizes a profession of faith, highlighting the necessity for a revival of acknowledgment for the Church, especially when the old synagogue's membership had diminished in value. This new census doesn’t call for martyrdom; rather, it brings an end to it. It signifies an educational purpose, indicating that names were already being mysteriously inscribed for Christ.

To conduct a census of the entire world. The purpose of this census was to ensure that taxes could be collected and paid, as the world was already under the governance of the Romans, ruled by Caesar. However, this dominion of the whole world by Caesar and the census itself foreshadow the ultimate dominion of the entire creation by Christ and the record of those who are in heaven. The census was initiated at the time of Christ's birth, so that the Virgin could travel to Bethlehem (for all were to be registered in their hometowns) and there give birth to Christ.

With the grace of the Lord, we gather today to hold three significant Liturgies, which limits our ability to delve deeply into the Gospel passage. However, the very incarnation of our Savior compels us to offer some reflections, even if they are brief. The fact that a census is conducted throughout the universe prior to the birth of the Lord serves as a clear sign that He, who exists outside of time and counts His chosen ones, would soon take on human form. In contrast, the Prophet speaks of the wicked, declaring, "Let them be consumed from the book of the living, and with the Just let them not be written" (Psalm 68:29).

Let us return to the account of Luke the Evangelist, who narrates the very genesis of Jesus Christ. He states, "But it came to pass in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus." What days are referred to here? This follows the narrative about the child (John) who "grew..." (Luke 1:80). Clearly, this does not pertain to that earlier time but rather to the period following the birth of the Baptist. "A decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register the entire realm." Although the wording appears straightforward, it carries a vivid and profound significance. The directive emanates from Augustus, who held dominion over nearly the entire known world, almost as if it were issued by God Himself.

The Roman Empire reached its peak of size and strength during the reign of Caesar Augustus. With the majority of the three major known territories having yielded to Roman rule, they proclaimed themselves masters of the entire world. Consequently, Augustus, eager to gain a precise understanding of the Empire's resources and population, mandated a census of his people and instituted a poll tax that was applicable to everyone.

The initial word about the Messiah among the populace was meant by Divine Providence to emerge following His birth, and it should have originated from the city associated with His lineage from the house of David. This Divine plan began to unfold during the census commanded by Augustus in Judea. Since we encounter various complications while aligning the conditions described by St. Luke with the historical narrative of the Jewish nation, we aim to delve deeper into this matter, potentially shedding light on several Gospel events.

Luke opens his narrative of the Lord's Nativity by highlighting that before His birth, the parents of Jesus Christ, who had been residing in Nazareth, were compelled to travel to Bethlehem. This journey was prompted by a decree from Augustus regarding a national census. Luke observes that the specific timing of this decree is noted vaguely; he simply refers to "those days," a phrase that can span many years (cf. Matt. 3:1). Historically, it is acknowledged that Augustus's mandate for a census affecting all territories within the Roman Empire was issued approximately 27 years prior to the Dionysian era. This census was implemented gradually, and in Judea, it was not enforced until around the time of Christ's birth.

The narrative of the Gospel commences with Luke’s description of the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the births of John the Baptist and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sadly, the Evangelist does not indicate the specific year in which these occurrences transpired; he simply notes that they happened during the reign of Herod, the ruler of the Jews (Luke 1:5), while Caesar Augustus ordered a census of the entire world.

During this period, the people of Judea were under the dominion of Roman rule, having been subjugated since the days of Pompey in 63 B.C. At that time, Emperor Augustus reigned, dedicating his administrative talents to impose stability upon the expansive empire, which had recently endured the devastating impacts of civil conflict. The finances of the realm, plunged into turmoil amidst the turbulence of civil unrest, required urgent attention. To address this, the emperor mandated a census throughout all provinces of the empire, signaling the importance he placed on this critical undertaking. He compiled comprehensive statistics covering the entire empire, detailing the population of citizens and allies as well as the taxes levied.

"In those days" refers to an unspecified period, often used as a transition between narratives, and in this context, it clearly indicates the time preceding the birth of Jesus Christ. - The reference to Caesar Augustus pertains to Caesar Octavian Augustus, the Roman emperor during whose reign Christ was born. - The term "command" or decree (δογμα, cf. Acts 17:7, Dan. 2:13) signifies an official order. - "To take a census" likely pertains to an assessment of the land, its inhabitants, and their property, often described as a revision. - The phrase "throughout the whole earth" does not refer solely to Palestine (as it can sometimes imply - Num.