We read in Luke 2:1-31And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. (Luke 2:1‑3) that in the days of Caesar Augustus a decree went forth that all the world should be taxed, and-that this was carried out when Cyrenius was Governor of Syria. This was arranged in an unusual fashion, viz., that, each individual had to repair to his birthplace in order to be taxed, however far removed he might be at the time, or however inconvenient it might be to attend. This was the occasion when Joseph and Mary, the virgin, his espoused wife, "great with Child," as Scripture tells us, were obliged in these very awkward circumstances to travel from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judaea, where the Scriptures prophesied that the Messiah, the Son of God, should be born. It seems wonderful that the whole machinery of the Roman Empire was put into motion to bring it about, that an obscure couple, as the world considered them, should arrive in their native city, Bethlehem, just in time to give birth to Him, who was destined to be the Savior of the world. Yet so it was.
Josephus gives us the bare fact of this taxing decree under Cyrenius, whilst Scripture gives more details, showing how it worked out for the fulfillment of prophecy. We read in Josephus, " Cyrenius came himself into Judea. which was now added to the province of Syria,- to take account of their substance... The Jews took the report of a taxation heinously, yet did they leave off any further opposition to it, by the persuasion of Ivazar, the High Priest."—Antiquities B. 18, C. I.
This was the occasion of, the outbreak of the rebellion of Judas of Galilee, which we will now notice.