Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Agemegos · 12-21-2005, 03:12 AM

The other gospels don't consider it worthy of mention, but Luke 2:1-3 asserts:

1. that Caesar Augustus ordered a new universal tax

2. that this order was put into effect while Cyrenius was governor of Syria

3. that the tax was imposed in Judaea, and

4. that everyone had to go from the place he lived to his 'own city' to pay the tax.

Is there any record of this tax outside the Bible? Was Judaea part of the Empire when Cyrenius was governor of Syria? Did the Romans ever make everyone return to their birthplaces to pay their taxes?

BigJim · 12-21-2005, 09:25 AM

http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_lib.htm

Quote:

Matthew claims that the birth of Jesus occurred during the reign of Herod the Great of Judea, a puppet king of the Romans, whom we know died in 4 B.C. Luke also tells us that Jesus’ birth happened during Herod's reign. Luke even adds what appears to be detailed and historical evidence of the period. He writes that Jesus was born during a census or registration of the populace ordered by emperor Augustus at the time that Quirinius (Cyrenius) was Roman governor of Syria (Luke 2:1-3). In reality, this has to be a fabrication because Quirinius was not governor of Syria and Judea during Herod's kingship. Direct Roman rule over the province of Judea, where Bethlehem was located, was not established until 6 A.D. In other words, ten years separated the rule of Quirinius from Herod.

12-21-2005, 03:12 AM	#1
Agemegos Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 152° 50' 15" E by 31° 5' 17" S Posts: 2,916	Did Augustus order a tax of the Roman Empire as described in Luke 2:1? The other gospels don't consider it worthy of mention, but Luke 2:1-3 asserts: 1. that Caesar Augustus ordered a new universal tax 2. that this order was put into effect while Cyrenius was governor of Syria 3. that the tax was imposed in Judaea, and 4. that everyone had to go from the place he lived to his 'own city' to pay the tax. Is there any record of this tax outside the Bible? Was Judaea part of the Empire when Cyrenius was governor of Syria? Did the Romans ever make everyone return to their birthplaces to pay their taxes?

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