Luke Chapter 2

From The Open Bible Project

2:1 Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.

• (1) Christ, the son of God, taking upon himself the form of a servant, and making himself of no reputation, is poorly born in a stable: and by the means of Augustus, the mightiest prince in the world, (thinking nothing of it) has his cradle prepared in Bethlehem, as the prophets foretold.
• (a) As far as the empire of the Romans stretched.
• (b) That is, the inhabitants of every city should have their names recorded, and their goods rated at a certain value, that the emperor might understand how rich every country, city, family, and house was.

2:2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

2:3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.

2:4 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 family of David;

• (c) Which David was born and brought up in.

2:5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

2:6 It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.

2:7 She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

2:8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

• (2) The angels themselves declare to poor shepherds (not at all regarding the pride of the mighty) the Godhead and office of the child lying in the crib.
• (d) Living outside, and in the open air.

2:9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

• (e) Came suddenly upon them, when they were not at all thinking about such a matter.

2:10 The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

2:11 For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

2:12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."

2:13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,

• (f) Whole armies of angels, who compass the majesty of God round about, just as soldiers, as it were.

2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men."

• (g) God’s ready, good, infinite, and gracious favour towards men.

2:15 It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

2:16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.

2:17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

2:18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.

2:19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.

2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

2:21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

• (3) Christ, the head of the Church, made subject to the law in order to deliver us from the curse of the law (as the name of Jesus well declares) being circumcised, ratifies and seals in his own flesh the circumcision of the flesh.

2:22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord

• (4) Christ, upon whom all our sins were laid, being offered to God according to the law purifies both Mary and us all in himself.
• (h) This is meant for the fulfilling of the law: for otherwise the virgin was not defiled, nor unclean, by the birth of this child.

2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),[1]

2:24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."[2]

2:25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

• (5) Simeon openly in the temple foretells the death of the coming of Messiah, of the casting out of the greatest part of Israel, and of the calling of the Gentiles.
• (i) He was endued with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and this is said using the figure of speech metonymy.

2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's [3] Christ. [See Luke Footnotes 3]

2:27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,

• (k) Joseph and Mary: and he says "parents" because that is what most of the people then thought.

2:28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

2:29 "Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;

• (l) Let me depart out of this life, to be joined to my Father.
• (m) As you promised me.

2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

• (n) That is, for I have seen with my very eyes: for he saw before in mind, as it is said of Abraham, "He saw my day and rejoiced."
• (o) That in which your salvation is contained.

2:31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

• (p) As a sign set up in a high place for all men to look upon.

2:32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel."

2:33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,

2:34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.

• (q) Is appointed and set by God for a mark.
• (r) Fall of the reprobate who perishes because of their own fault: and for the rising of the elect, unto whom God will give faith to believe.
• (s) That is, a mark, which all men will strive earnestly to hit.

2:35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

• (t) Will most keenly wound and grieve.

2:36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,

• (6) Another witness besides Simeon, against whom no objection may be brought, inviting all men to the receiving of the Messiah.

2:37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day.

2:38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

2:39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

2:40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

• (u) As Christ grew up in age, so the virtue of his Godhead showed itself more and more.

2:41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

• (7) The scribes and Pharisees are aroused to hear the wisdom of Christ in his time by an extraordinary deed.

2:42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,

2:43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn't know it,

2:44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

2:45 When they didn't find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.

2:46 It happened after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.

2:47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

2:48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you."

• (8) All duties which we owe to men, even though they are not to be neglected, so are they (according to the position in life which God has set us) not to be preferred before the glory of God.

2:49 He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"

2:50 They didn't understand the saying which he spoke to them.

2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

• (9) Christ, very man, is made like us in every way except sin.

2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.