In Luke 2, the scripture says that the Roman Caesar Augustus ordered everyone in the area to go to the home of their ancestors to be counted for purposes of taxation. At that time, Quirinius or Cyrenius was the Governor of Sysria, but Cyrenius was also a Roman.  Because of that order, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, which was nor part of Syria. Bethlehem was part of Judea. 

This situation confused me and caused me to do some extra research.

Cyrenius was the Governor of Syria, but he was a Roman.

Bethlehem was not part of Syria at that time.

Why did a Roman Governor of Syria Have Any Jurisdiction Over Bethlehem Which Was Part of Judea–and not Syria?

Luke 2:

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. ³ So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Luke 2: 1-3.

Caesar Augustus – Image Credit: Wikipedia

The Roman Caesar Augustus had inherited control of an enlarged area of land from his great uncle Julius Caesar, who adopted Caesar Augustus and made him his heir, Caesar Augustus conquered many other regions, and the wars to do that were costly. To help pay for his war efforts and to stabilize the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus levied taxes.

Just to be sure that we are all on the same page, Bethlehem is across the Mediterranean Sea–far away from Rome, but during the time of Caesar Augustus, the Roman Empire included Bethlehem, which is in the dark red area on the lower right, Rome is in the dark yellow boot-like area jutting into the sea across the water and toward the mid-left. As we discuss the life and crucifixion of Jesus, it is important to understand that Rome controlled the area where Jesus lived–as well as that which was around Italy.

On the above map, all the yellow area was part of the Roman Empire when Christ was born; Bethlehem was part of Judea, which is colored red.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth in Galilee [circled red at the top], and they traveoed to Bethlehem, which is circled red at the bottom of the map.. Jerusalem is near Bethlehem, and that was another important town in Jesus;s life.

Galilee was not part of either Syria or Judea. It was part of Ancient Palestine

Keep in mind that the Cyrenius was the governor of Syria and not Judea, but in terms of the Roman government, Judea was a satelite of Judea at that time.

Image Credit: Time Maps

On the above map, Syria is colored red, and Judea is colored green.

To further complicate the situation, there were Greek provinces in this area before the Ancient Romans took over. Luke, the physician who is believed to have written both the Biblical books of Acts and Luke, was of Greek heritage, but he is believed to have been born in Antioch, which was part of Ancient Syria. Antioch is part of Turkey now.

None of the areas mentioned were part of the Ancient Mesopotamian Civilization; Abraham left Mesopotamia and moved to Canaan, Canaan was part of Ancient Palestine.

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