What does Luke 2:5 mean?

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke 2:5

Explanation

The verse Luke 2:5 is a part of the narrative in the Gospel of Luke that describes the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. It reads as follows in the King James Version (KJV): “To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” This verse primarily serves to provide a historical setting for the birth of Jesus, by connecting it to a census decreed by the Roman Empire. Literally, the verse states that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be registered for taxation purposes, as Mary was expecting a child.

The deeper meaning within this verse touches on themes of humility and obedience. Despite Mary’s advanced stage of pregnancy, the couple sets out on a difficult journey to comply with Roman law. It also indirectly highlights the providence of God, as the birth in Bethlehem fulfills Old Testament prophecy regarding the birthplace of the Messiah.

Historical Context

At the time Luke’s Gospel was written, Judea was a Roman province, and the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus had declared that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world, which also included the Jewish territories. The historical census would have required all people under Roman rule to return to their ancestral homes to be taxed. Joseph, being of the lineage of David, was required to go to Bethlehem—the City of David—to be registered.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is significant within Christianity for a few key reasons:

• Fulfillment of Prophecy: The journey to Bethlehem fulfills the prophecy from Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem.
• Divine Plan: It illustrates God’s sovereignty as the seemingly mundane event of a census plays into the divine plan for Jesus’s birthplace.
• Incarnation: It also hints at the doctrine of the Incarnation, with God taking human form in Jesus, who enters the world in humble circumstances.

Different theological interpretations may focus on the providence of God in the timing and location of Jesus’s birth or on the obedience of Joseph and Mary to civil and divine law.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse can inspire believers to:

• Accept inconvenient circumstances as part of God’s plan.
• Trust in the fulfillment of God’s promises, even through ordinary events.
• Exercise patience and strength in difficult situations, as Mary did while traveling in her late pregnancy.

Cross-References

• Micah 5:2: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
• Matthew 1:23: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Language Study

In this verse, two phrases are of particular importance in the original Greek language:

• “his espoused wife” (Greek: μνηστευθείσῃ γυναικί, mnesteutheisei gynaiki): The term denotes that Mary is betrothed to Joseph, emphasizing that she is legally his wife despite them not yet living together or having consummated the marriage.
• “great with child” (Greek: ἐγκύῳ, enkyō): This suggests that Mary is in the later stages of pregnancy, highlighting the urgency and difficulty of their travel to Bethlehem.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The narrative surrounding the birth of a significant religious figure being tied to a prophecy is not unique to Christianity. In other ancient cultures, births of divine or semi-divine figures often contain elements of supernatural prediction or intervention. For example, in Hinduism, the birth of Krishna is accompanied by divine signs and wonders.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the description of Mary as “great with child” correlates with what is known about the physical challenges and risks associated with travel during late-stage pregnancy. The account in Luke is consistent with realistic conditions faced by a pregnant woman in the first century, providing a naturalistic perspective on the event.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer insight into Luke 2:5:

• Traditional Commentators: They often emphasize the obedience of Mary and Joseph to the decree of Caesar as reflecting their submission to God’s plan.
• Critical Scholars: Some may question the historical accuracy of the census narrative, suggesting it serves a theological rather than a strictly historical purpose in situating Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem.
• Contemporary Theologians: Modern commentators might explore the socio-political implications of the census and the Holy Family’s compliance with it, linking it to broader themes of Christ’s humility and incarnation.