Taxing
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Taxing in the Bible?
A Roman administrative census conducted under the governorship of Quirinius in Syria. This process involved the formal registration of citizens for the purpose of assessing taxes.
SIGNIFICANCE
This event provides the historical and legal catalyst for the movement of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem in the Lucan narrative.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Taxing. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Taxing in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Taxing clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Taxing." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/taxing/