Appendix 1
The Census of Luke 2:2
This census presents us with several problems. Luke 2:2 says that this was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Critics have often pointed to this passage as being a case of a historical mistake in the Bible. In response, Christians have proposed the following solutions:
The problem is that the Greek text does not easily lend itself to these translations. This would be a forced reading of the text.
An alternative answer is found in the specifics of Quirinius and his role as "governor" of Syria. The term that Luke uses is a general one. He says that this was the first census taken while Quirinius was GOVERNING Syria. The specific word used by Luke to describe this governing is µ , the present active participle of µ , to rule or govern. This term can be used of any sort of ruler. The same term is used in Luke 3:1 both of Pontius Pilate as well as of the Emperor Tiberius.
I would suggest that it is possible that there were TWO different instances in which a census was taken.
A possible reference to an earlier governorship of Quirinius can be found in an inscription called the "Lapis Tiburtinus." This is a tombstone which records the achievements of an unknown governor who served in the days of Augustus. Although the stone is broken in such a way that we are not able to read his name, we can read that this unknown governor served as pro praetor of Syria twice. The interesting thing about this is that we have no record of any governor of Syria serving two separate terms.
Furthermore, we know that after Quirinius served as co-consul with Augustus in 12 B.C. he traveled to Syria where he commanded the Roman legions in the area.
Tertullian states that the census of Luke 2 "taken in Judea by Sentius Saturnius"(Against Marcion 4:19). It is possible that Saturnius was the legate of Syria (he served as governor from 9-6 B.C.) at the same time that Quirinius was serving as general of the legion and therefore also holding a position of rulership over the area. If this is the case, then Quirinius oversaw both a first and a second census.
It is noteworthy that in 1905 a Greek papyrus was discovered in Egypt which mentions an imperial census taking place which mandated people to return to their homes:
Gaius Vibius Maximus, the Prefect of Egypt, declares: The census by household having begun, it is essential that all those who are away from their homes be summoned to return to their own hearths so that they may perform the customary business of registration and apply themselves to the cultivation which concerns them. Knowing, however, that some of the people from the countryside are required by our city, I desire all those who think they have a satisfactory reason for remaining here to register themselves before . . . Festus, the Cavalry Commander, whom I have appointed for this purpose, from whom those who have shown their presence to be necessary shall receive signed permits in accordance with this edict up to the 30th of the present month...
Notice that this is said to be a "customary census." We are not told how long this custom had been in effect, but it apparently involved each person returning to his home.