Misinterpretations of Luke 2:5 often include assuming the census required everyone to travel to their ancestral city, whereas historical evidence suggests Quirinius' census involved registration at one's place of residence; another error is claiming this verse proves Mary was also directly of David's line, though it specifies only Joseph's lineage; some read it as endorsing blanket civil disobedience if laws conflict with faith, ignoring Joseph's compliance; additionally, it is wrongly used to argue Bethlehem was Joseph's permanent home rather than a temporary ancestral visit.
Luke 2:5
King James Version (1769)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luke 2:5 describes Joseph traveling from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea to register for a census decreed by Caesar Augustus, as required because he was from the house and lineage of David, whose city was Bethlehem; this journey sets the stage for Jesus' birth in the prophesied city of the Messiah (Micah 5:2), emphasizing Joseph's obedience to Roman authority and divine providence in fulfilling Old Testament prophecy without directly stating Mary's lineage.