The Census of Judah

Joseph takes mary with him because beth Bethlehem is his family home. The census provides the occasion for this, but he goes back because that's where he owns property. Later, as we read in matthew chapter two, they move back to her home town of nazareth for the safety of the infant. And there we get the impression that joseph and mary belonged in lehem. They weren't just visiting there for a short period of time. Other options have been ested. Some have suggested two periods of office for quinius. Perhaps one of the most important things to bear in mind here is the limited character of much of the historical evidence that we are