MPV Commentary

1. Cæsar Augustus was the first of the Roman emperors.

The entire Roman Empire was subject to taxation, with people registering themselves.

2. This taxing occurred during the reign of Cyrenius, who later became governor of Syria. However, this event took place before his time in office, which is about ten years after Jesus' birth. Some scholars suggest that the registration may have been ordered for taxation purposes around the time of Jesus' birth, although the actual taxation did not occur until Cyrenius was governor.

Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem because it was their ancestral city, following Jewish custom. As members of the royal line, they were required to register there. Mary, being an heiress, likely accompanied Joseph for personal enrollment.

3. The couple went to Bethlehem, where Joseph's family originated.

4-5. Not only did Joseph, a descendant of King David, travel to Bethlehem, but so did Mary, who was also from the royal line. It is unlikely that she chose to go there in her condition, but possibly for personal registration purposes.

By this time, Mary had been living with Joseph as his espoused wife.

6. While they were in Bethlehem, Mary's time of delivery arrived. This fulfilled a prophecy about Jesus' birth in the city of David (Ps 118:23). The couple was brought to Bethlehem unintentionally, yet it was at that precise moment that Jesus was born.

7. Jesus was considered the firstborn son, although there may have been other children born after him. The law regarded the firstborn as the eldest child, regardless of whether others were born later or not.

Mary wrapped her newborn baby in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, which was likely a feeding trough for animals. There was no room available at the local inn, where travelers would typically stay. The innkeeper had converted the rear section into stables, and it was fully occupied by other travelers.

Keble's poem describes Jesus' birth:

"Wrapt in His swaddling-bands,
And in His manger laid,
The hope and glory of all lands
Is come to the world's aid."

Some visitors came to pay their respects to the newborn King, while others may have been more careless in their behavior.