Critics and skeptics of the Bible claim that Luke 2:2 contradicts history by saying that Quirinius was “governor of Syria” at the time of Jesus’ birth, because the official historical records only indicate that Quirinius held the position of governor of Syria from 6 to 9 CE.

BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF “THE FIRST CENSUS” WHILE QUIRINIUS WAS GOVERNOR 

“Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for a census to be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was going to be registered for the census, each to his own city. And Joseph also went from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem . . . in order to register with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was  with child. Now it happened that while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her give birth”—Luke 2:1-6 LSB

“Quirinius, known from historical sources, was a Roman official whose governance included overseeing the region of Syria, which encompassed Judea. The mention of Quirinius helps to date the events described in the Gospel of Luke. Although there is some debate among scholars regarding the exact timing of Quirinius’s governorship and the census, this reference serves to anchor the narrative in a specific historical framework. The governance of Quirinius is significant as it highlights the political backdrop of Jesus’ birth, underlining the Roman authority over the Jewish people and setting the stage for the socio-political tensions present during Jesus’ ministry.”—-Bible Hub Study Guide, note on Luke 2:2

WHY CRITICS CLAIM LUKE’S ACCOUNT OF “THE FIRST CENSUS” IS WRONG

The gospel of Matthew reports that “Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king” (Matthew 2:1 ESV). Critics, assuming that the only census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria was around 6-9 CE,  claim that since history indicates that Herod the Great died about 4 BCE, Jesus could not have been born during the time “when Quirinius was governor of Syria” from 6 to 9 CE. Based on this, critics and skeptics claim that Luke 2:2 is historically wrong, and therefore the Bible cannot be trusted.

LUKE’S MENTION OF SECOND CENSUS WHILE QUIRINIUS WAS GOVERNOR OF SYRIA

However, upon further investigation, we find that gospel writer Luke wasn’t mixed up after all. Luke also reports another census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria, in his second volume, the book of Acts:

“Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished” (Acts 5:37 NRSV). “Judas the Galilean appears in Josephus as a rebel who opposed giving tribute to Caesar about AD 6 or 7, following the census of Quirinius (see Josephus, Antiquities 20.52)”—NLT Study Bible

This second census while Quirinius was governor of Syria, when “Judas the Galilean rose up” in rebellion, is the one referred to at Acts 5:37. 

Thus, the strongest evidence that Quirinius was governor of Syria when Jesus was born is the Bible itself.

SUPPORTING HISTORICAL EVIDENCE FOR “THE FIRST CENSUS”

“Some scholars believe that a fragmentary inscription called Lapis Tiburtinus implies that Quirinius was twice governor of Syria, so that the A. D. 6 census was in fact his second census. This interpretation of the Lapis Tiburtinus is open to question, however; we do not know with certainty that this inscription actually dealt with Quirinius at all.”—NIV Archaeological Study Bible

In its note on Luke 2:2, referring to “the first registration . . . taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria”, the NLT Study Bible says: “Quirinius held this post AD 6-9. In 6-4 BC Quirinius also had authority over Judea, possibly through some kind of joint rule. He may have begun the census”.

“Quirinius. This official appears to have been in office for two terms, first in 6-4 BC, and then AD 6-9. A census is associated with each term”—NIV Study Bible

“It is thought that Quirinius served two terms as Roman governor of Syria; from 6-4 B.C., and then A.D. 6-9.”—HCSB Study Bible

“Interestingly, archaeological discoveries in the nineteenth century seem to confirm Quirinius (or someone with the same name) was also proconsul of Syria and Cilicia from 11 BC to the death of Herod. Quirinius’s name has been discovered on a coin from this period of time (as cited by John McRay in Archaeology and the New Testament), and on the base of a statue erected in Pisidian Antioch (as cited by Sir William Ramsay, The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament).”—Cold Case Christianity website, 8-16-2017

CONCLUSION

While the strongest evidence that Quirinius was governor of Syria when Jesus was born is the Bible itself, historical accounts also appear to confirm that Bible writer Luke accurately reported that Quirinius was governor of Syria when Jesus was born.

For more information about related to this subject, please see the following articles on this website:

“The BCE/CE, or the BC/AD, Dating system? – https://bibleauthenticity.com/the-bce-ce-or-the-bc-ad-dating-system/

“When Did Jairus’ Daughter Die?” – https://bibleauthenticity.com/when-did-jairus-daughter-die/

“Jesus’ Burial By Joseph of Arimathea” – https://bibleauthenticity.com/jesus-burial-by-joseph-of-arimathea/