Luke 2:5

5 to be inscribed in the census roll with Mary who was betrothed to him [as his] wife, she being great with child.

Luke 2:5 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 2:5

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife
Whom also he had married, though he had not known her in a carnal way; she came along with him to be taxed and enrolled also, because she was of the same family of David, and belonged to the same city:

being great with child;
very near her time, and yet, though in such circumstances, was obliged by this edict, to come to Bethlehem; and the providence in it was, that she might give birth there, and so the prophecy in ( Micah 5:2 ) have its accomplishment: this was an instance, and an example, of obedience to civil magistrates.

Luke 2:5 In-Context

3 And all went to be inscribed in the census roll, each to his own city:
4 and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city Nazareth to Judaea, to David's city, the which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 to be inscribed in the census roll with Mary who was betrothed to him [as his] wife, she being great with child.
6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days of her giving birth [to her child] were fulfilled,
7 and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling-clothes and laid him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. As 'registered,' Heb. 12.23.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.