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Luke 2:4
ESV 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,
NIV So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
NASB Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
CSB Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David,
NLT And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.
KJV And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
NKJV Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

What does Luke 2:4 mean?

Joseph is engaged to Mary (Luke 1:26–27), who is expecting a child conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:30–33). They are travelling due to a government-ordered census (Luke 2:1–2). In this case, the census required people go to their ancestral hometowns (Luke 2:3). Jesus will be born here, fulfilling prophecy (Luke 2:6).

Later, Luke will explain Jesus' genealogy. The later reference to Joseph as the "son of Heli" likely means son-in-law (Luke 3:23), meaning Luke's list seems to run the family line through Mary. This establishes Jesus as a biological member of David's line. As Jesus' earthly, adoptive father, Joseph would legally bring Jesus into the family line of David. Matthew's tracing of Joseph's genealogy confirms those details (Matthew 1:1–17).
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