The Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:1-2) and the first-century Jewish historian Josephus differ on the date for the census of Quirinius. In this study, the author argues that Josephus's account of the census and the revolt by Judas the Galilean is actually a mistaken duplication of events that occurred much earlier.

Quirinius was the governor of Syria at the time of the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 2:1-2). Many questions have arisen in connection with the census mentioned in Luke 2. This paper wants to take a fresh look at the problem.