When was Jesus born?

Matthew and Luke, while discussing the events related to Jesus’s birth, give us slightly different accounts with regard to the public circumstances of the time. Logically, one of the two must be wrong, as Quirinius was appointed legate of Syria in 6 AD, a whole decade after Herod’s death in 4 BC, and only after Herod’s son, Herod Archelaus’s banishment.

Matthew 2:1

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,

Matthew 2:19-21

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

Luke 2:2-3

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 2:2-6

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.