Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 2:3

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

Octavius Cesar, (called Augustus, for his prosperous atchievements,) was the first Roman Emperor properly so called, (for Iulius Caesar had but the Title of Perpetual Dictator) In the forty second year of whose Reign Christ was Born. Iosephus saith, in the one and thirtieth year Antiq. Cap. 10. Herod the great beeing at that time, King of Iudea (being so declared by the Senate of R[illegible: 1 letter]me near forty years before) it was the Cu[illegible: 2 letters]om of the Romans to take a p[illegible: 1 letter]rticular account of the Numbers, and Qualities of all Persons, inhab[illegible: 1 letter]ting Countries under their jurisdiction, in order to the laying of Taxes upon them. About the time of the Birth of Christ, there was a Decree issued from the Roman Emperor for such a Census, or account to be taken of the Jews, (who some think are here only understood by the Term, all the World) others think, that it was a Decree which reached all that part of the World, which was subject to the Roman Emperor. This trust it seemeth was committed to Cyrenius Governour of Syria, whether he was at that time Governour, or afterwards made Governour, and at this time only a Commissioner, for this business is not agreed. That this Cyrenius was the same whom the Roman Historians call Quirinius, is pretty well agreed. Great indeavours are used to reconcile what Luke saith here, to Iosephus and the Roman Historians, who make Varus not Quirinius, as this time the President of Syria (those who desire to be satisfyed as to those things may read Mr. Poel's Synopsis Criticorum, upon this Text, &c.) where Civil Historians differ from what we have in holy Writ, we are obliged to believe them mistaken, not the Penmen of holy Writ, who were giuded by an infallible Spirit. Leaving therefore those disputes, and in what Sense this Census, is called the first, or is said to be first begun, when Cyrenius or Quirinius was president (as being of no great concern, for other Historians grant Quirinius at this time a Commissioner with Cajus Caesar, and within Ten years after President, in Succession of Varus) let us rather herein observe the wonderful Providence of God in the ordering of things for the fulfilling of his Word, while we think of no such things, to which purpose doubtless this is premised by the Evangelist. According to the Counsel of God declared by his Prophets, Micah 5.2. Christ was to be Born at Bethlehem, the Metropolis of Iudea, so the Chief Priests and Scribes tell Herod, Matth. 2.5. Mary his Mother, and Ioseph his supposed Father, lived at a great distance from Bethlehem, in Nazareth a City of Galilee. God so ordereth it, that the Roman Emperor (under whose Power the Jews were at this time) orders a numbring of all his Subjects, either in all his Dominions at the same time, or at least in Iudea, and an account to be taken of their Persons, and Qualities, in order to the laying Taxes upon them, to defray the charges of the Empire. The account o[illegible: 1 letter] the Jews being to be taken according to their Tribes, those who belonged to each Tribe, were ordered to Convene in the Chief City belonging to the Tribe of which they were. I seph, and Mary were both of the Tribe of Iudah. This occasion brings them both to Bethlehem, being the Chief City of their Tr[illegible: 1 letter]be to meet the Emperors Commissioners, So Christ came to be Born in Bethlehem, according to the Word of the Lord, from which a Title shall not fail, and little Bethlehem becomes not the least amongst the thousands of Iudah, one coming out of it to be a Ruler in Israel, whose goings were of old even from everlasting.