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Luke

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Luke 2

1Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled.

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Commentary · verse 1

Caesar Augustus called for a census.

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

3And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Commentary · verses 2-5

Joseph and Mary (who was pregnant) went to Bethlehem because Joseph was in the lineage of David. Notice, Joseph was in Galilee, the "Harvard" of Israel when it came to Rabbinical teaching.

6And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Commentary · verses 6-7

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Some experts believed there was no room in the inn because it was a feast, most likely Rosh Hashanah, which was Israel's "New Year" and occurred in the fall, not during the winter like December 25th.

8And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

9And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Commentary · verses 8-9

An angel appeared to shepherds while they were outside at night.

10And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Commentary · verse 10

The "good tidings" (which translated into gospel) were for all people. This was the third angelic appearance mentioned in Luke's Gospel.

11for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Commentary · verse 11

The angel announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds.

12And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.

15And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

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

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Commentary · verses 12-15

The shepherds had faith, which was proven by their actions. They heard a word from God about Jesus and, in faith, they went to see the thing come to pass.

16And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.

17And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Commentary · verses 16-17

The shepherds told Mary and Joseph about the announcement of Jesus' birth, which ought to have been confirmation from the things Mary stated in chapter 1.

18And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.

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

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

21And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Commentary · verses 18-21

Jesus was circumcised and received His name that was given before His conception.

22And 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 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord),

22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

Commentary · verses 22-23

This referenced Exodus 13:2.

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

24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Commentary · verse 24

This referenced Leviticus 12:8.

25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Commentary · verse 25

Simeon had the Holy Spirit upon him.

26And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Commentary · verse 26

The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would see Christ before he died.

27And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, 28then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace; 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; 32A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.

27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Commentary · verses 27-32

Simeon knew that Jesus was the Christ.

33And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him; 34and Simeon blessed them, and said unto 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; 35yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.

33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Commentary · verses 33-35

Simeon told Mary of her eventual pain. Notice, nothing was spoken to Joseph.

36And 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, 37and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day.

36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Commentary · verses 36-37

Anna the prophetess had been a widow for eighty-four years and was ninety-one years older than her wedding night. She was quite old.

38And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

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

40And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Commentary · verses 38-40

Grace from God was upon Jesus. "Grace" is "the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life." Grace cannot be defined as "unmerited favor"...Jesus, the Son of God, would have merited favor from God.

41And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.

42And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 43and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not;

41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

Commentary · verses 41-43

Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem at twelve years old. Twelve years old would have been the end of Jesus' time memorizing the Torah.

44but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him.

46And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions:

44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

Commentary · verses 44-46

Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple three days later. Jesus was hearing and asking questions with the Rabbis. Jesus was already acting as a Rabbi.

47and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Commentary · verse 47

All that heard Jesus were astonished at His understanding and answers. A Rabbi teaches through questions. So, in this verse, "answers" really meant Jesus' ability to answer the Rabbi's questions like a Rabbi would: through questions.

48And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing.

49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father’s house?

50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

Commentary · verses 48-50

Jesus even related to His earthly parents like a Rabbi: He answered with two questions. Jesus said He must be about His Father's (God's) business and Mary and Joseph did not understand what He meant. Actually, Mary's questions of Jesus in front of the other religious leaders led to Messianic revelation.

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

52And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

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

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Commentary · verses 51-52

Jesus grew in wisdom and in grace with God and men. The word "favor" in this verse came from the Greek word charis which was the word translated into "grace."

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