Quirinius
Summary
Publius Sulpicius Quirinius was a Roman governor of Syria whose census is mentioned by Luke in connection with the birth of Christ, presenting a complex chronological question that scholars have sought to resolve through evidence of multiple Syrian governorships.
☩Historical Background
Quirinius was a distinguished Roman general and administrator born at Lanuvium, about twenty miles south of Rome. As a reward for military and administrative services, Augustus elevated him to consul in 12 B.C. He later waged successful war against the Homonadenses in Cilicia and served as adviser to Caius Caesar in Armenia. From A.D. 6 to 9, he was legatus Augusti (governor) in Syria, during which time he conducted the census that provoked Judas of Galilee's revolt. He died in Rome in A.D. 21.
☩The Chronological Problem
Luke states that the census at Christ's birth was 'the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.' However, Christ was born before Herod the Great's death in 4 B.C., while Quirinius's known governorship of Syria was A.D. 6-9. The governors during the relevant period were Sentius Saturninus (9/8 to mid-6 B.C.) and Quintilius Varus (6-4 B.C.). This apparent discrepancy has challenged scholars, though Luke's demonstrated accuracy elsewhere argues against dismissing his testimony as error.
☩Proposed Solutions
A fragmentary inscription found at Tivoli in 1764 records the activities of a Roman official who was twice legatus of Syria, and antiquarians identify this individual as Quirinius. This evidence suggests he held an earlier Syrian position during the relevant period. Ramsay proposed that while Varus administered civil affairs, Quirinius served simultaneously as a special military legate conducting operations against the Homonadenses in Cilicia. Both officials would bear the title legatus Augusti, and the Greek term hegemōn used by Luke could apply to either civil or military governors. Another theory holds that Quirinius served as a special commissioner for the empire-wide census, with responsibility for the Syrian region including Palestine.
☩The Census Timing
Evidence suggests periodic enrollments in Syria followed a fourteen-year cycle from 23 B.C. An enrollment was due in Syria in 8 B.C., but in Herod's kingdom it was likely delayed. Herod had angered Augustus by conducting unauthorized military action in Arabia, and the emperor subsequently announced he would treat Herod as a subject rather than an ally. The census and a related oath of allegiance to Caesar and the king were probably part of Augustus's new policy toward Herod. Tertullian states the census began under Saturninus, though it may have been completed under Quirinius's extraordinary authority.
Related Verses1 mention
Luke· 1 verse
See Also
References
- 1.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Quirinius, Pubilus Sulpicius," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. IX (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Quirinius," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).