Was Quirinius Governor in 2 B.C.E.?
There is one question that needs answering. Many translators of the New Testament render Luke 2:1 as though Quirinius were governor of Syria. In no way does Luke state this in his original Greek text, though I used to believe he did. Luke simply said that Quirinius was ruling or administrating this first registration from Syria, not that he was the governor of the province. The Greek word Luke used to show the rulership of Quirinius was hegemoneuontos. It is a present participle which simply means that Quirinius was ruling or administrating his duties from the region of Syria. There is not the slightest indication in Lukes narrative that identifies the specific office being held by Quirinius while he was administrating his official duties. In normal Greek usage at the time, the word hegemoneuontos could refer to any type of rulership from that of an exalted President or a military commander on down through various lesser offices to that of the local dogcatcher for the city. The word co
