Before reading further, please take the Interruptions two-question Bible knowledge test below:
Question #1: Who was Quirinius?
Question #2: How do you pronounce this name?
We recognize the name of Quirinius that’s mentioned in the Luke 2 Christmas story . . .
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria (Luke 2:1-2, ESV).
Since most of us are veterans of Christmas Eve Luke 2 readings, we know that readers stumble over pronouncing Quirinius. They get Caesar Augustus right. They breeze through pronouncing Gabriel, Nazareth, Judea, David, Joseph, Galilee, and Mary.
But stumble on Quirinius.
And since Quirinius is at the beginning, the entire reading of Luke 2 starts with a moment of awkwardness.
For example . . .
Christmas Eve, lights dimmed, candles lit, and a teenager begins reading Luke 2 by saying, “This was the first registration when Queenius was governor of Syria.”
As a pastor and veteran of 49 years of Christmas Eve services, I’ve heard 14 differing pronunciations of Quirinius — all of them wrong. Rarely does a reader get it right.
Quirinius is the most mispronounced name in the Bible!!!!
If you are reading Luke 2 this Christmas — or in preparation for a future reading of Luke 2 — listen to this link.
Such a long link for a relatively short name, but imagine the “wow” factor when you read the name correctly. If I’m there, I will stand and applaud!
Not only has the mispronunciation of Quirinius created consternation on Christmas Eve with faithful followers of Jesus, but the historicity of Quirinius, being a governor of Syria during a census at the birth of Christ, now exists as a problem for scholars.
There are ancient documents mentioning Quirinius as governor of Syria during a census in 6 A.D. But that’s about 10 years too late. (Note that the B.C./A.D. method of considering years is off by four years, with the result, technically, of Christ being born in 4 B.C.)
Yes, two controversies surrounding Quirinius — the actual date of the census at the time of Jesus and the correct pronunciation of his name in the centuries since that census.
I propose two solutions.
First, the pronunciation.
When my New Testament professor (a famous Greek scholar) pronounced Quirinius, he would say, “However you pronounce this name, say it confidently, and people will assume that you know what you are doing.”
HHHHMMMHHM! Remember to speak boldly with no hesitation.
Second, the historical accuracy.
Daniel Wallace (a famous New Testament scholar) writes . . .
Evangelicals often have a tendency to find implausible solutions to difficulties in the Bible and to be satisfied that they have once again vindicated the Word of God. On the other hand, critical scholars tend to find errors in the Bible where none exist.
Trust me, there is a solution to the accuracy issue which is beyond the scope of this blog. To read more, follow this link:
This Christmas, we can be confident in pronouncing Quirinius and that the Bible is the Word of God.