To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

LUKE 2:5KJV
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Luke 2:5 (KJV)

What does Luke 2:5 mean?

Luke 2:5 describes Joseph traveling with Mary, who was engaged to him and very pregnant, so they could both be registered for the census ordered by the Roman authorities. The verse highlights that Mary was expecting a child as they made this journey together.

This verse is part of the story where Joseph and Mary leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem because of a government decree requiring everyone to be counted in their ancestral hometown. Luke, the author, is explaining the circumstances that led to Jesus being born in Bethlehem. The mention that Mary was "great with child" sets the stage for the birth of Jesus, which happens soon after their arrival.

The Greek behind Luke 2:5

  • "taxed" (ἀπογράφεσθαι, apographesthai): This Greek word means to be registered or enrolled, usually for a census or taxation. The focus is on official registration, not just paying taxes.
  • "espoused" (μεμνηστευμένην, memnēsteumenēn): This word means betrothed or engaged, indicating that Mary and Joseph were formally promised to each other but not yet fully married in the usual sense.
  • "wife" (γυναῖκα, gynaika): This term means woman or wife. Here, it emphasizes Mary's relationship to Joseph as his intended spouse, even though they had not yet completed the final marriage steps.
  • "being great with child" (ἐγκύῳ, enkyō): This phrase means pregnant, with the sense that Mary was far along in her pregnancy, making the journey especially challenging.

Why Luke 2:5 matters

  • Luke 2:5 clarifies that Mary and Joseph were not yet fully married but were legally pledged to each other, which is important for understanding the social context and the unusual circumstances of Jesus’s birth.
  • The verse underscores the hardship and timing of their journey, showing that Mary was close to giving birth as they traveled, which sets up the narrative for Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem.
  • By mentioning the census, Luke ties the birth of Jesus to a specific historical event, grounding the story in real-world circumstances and fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah’s birthplace.

Where else these words appear

“espoused” Greek G3423 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
  • Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

“taxed” Greek G583 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
  • Luke 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
  • Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

“Mary” Greek G3137 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
  • Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
  • John 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

“with” Greek G4862 · used in 121 verses

  • Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
  • Acts 4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
  • Acts 28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.