Book of Luke - Chapter 2 - Verse 3

During the time of the Roman Empire, a census was taken for taxation purposes. This verse, found in the Gospel of Luke, describes how everyone had to return to their hometown to be counted. This was a common practice in the Ancient Near East, as tax records were typically tied to the ancestral land of each individual. In this specific case, Joseph and Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, as Joseph was descended from the line of King David. This verse highlights the adherence to Roman law and the inconvenience that individuals had to endure in order to comply with the census requirements. It also sets the stage for the events that would ultimately lead to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would come from David's lineage.

The verse "And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city." from Luke 2:3 is significant in understanding the theological implications of Jesus' birth. The word "taxed" in this verse can also be translated as "enrolled" or "registered." This event fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, as Joseph, being of the house and lineage of David, had to go to his ancestral city to be registered. This highlights Jesus' royal lineage as the descendant of King David. Additionally, the act of being registered for a census emphasizes Jesus' humanity, as he was born into the world during a time of political and social order. It also sets the stage for Jesus' future role as the Savior of all people, as this event marked the beginning of his earthly life and mission.