Luke2
English Standard Version
1 a that the should be .
2 the when was of .
3 to be , his .
4 , the of , , the of , is , the of ,
5to be , , who with .
6 , the for to .
7 she gave in a , there for the .
8 the there out in the , by .
9 an of the to , the of the , they were filled with .
10 the to , , , I of will for the .
11 unto is this the of a , the .
12 will be a for : you will a wrapped in and a .
13 there the a of the ,
14 to the , with whom he is !
15 the , the , Let that has , the has to .
16 they with , the a .
17 when they it, they the had been .
18 who it the .
19 , them .
20 the , they had , it had been .
21 the of , when he was , he was , the was the .
22 the for to the of , they up to him to the
23( it is the of the , who the shall be to the )
24 to a to what is the of the , a of , .
25 there a , was , was , for the of , the .
26 it had to the that he had the .
27 he the the , the the , to the of the ,
28 his ,
29 , you are , to ;
30 have
31 you have the of ,
32a for the , for to .
33 his what was .
34 , , child is the of , a that is
35( a will pierce ), so may be .
36 there a , , the of , the of . was , when was a ,
37 then as a until . did the , with .
38 at very she began to to to to who were for the .
39 they had to the of the , they , their of .
40 the , with . the of .
41 at the of the .
42 he , .
43 when the feast was , were , the . His did not it,
44 to the they a , then they began to for their ,
45 when they did , they , .
46 they the , the , to .
47 who were his .
48 when his parents , they were . , , have ? , and have been for in .
49 he , were you for ? Did you ?
50 did the he to .
51 he to . .
52 in in in .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The birth of Christ. (1–7). It is made known to the shepherds. (8–20). Christ presented in the temple. (21–24). Simeon prophesies concerning Jesus. (25–35). Anna prophesies concerning him. (36–40). Christ with the learned men in the temple. (41–52).
vv1-7
The fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law. The circumstances of his birth were very mean. Christ was born at an inn; he came into the world to sojourn here for awhile, as at an inn, and to teach us to do likewise. We are become by sin like an outcast infant, helpless and forlorn; and such a one was Christ. He well knew how unwilling we are to be meanly lodged, clothed, or fed; how we desire to have our children decorated and indulged; how apt the poor are to envy the rich, and how prone the rich to disdain the poor. But when we by faith view the Son of God being made man and lying in a manger, our vanity, ambition, and envy are checked. We cannot, with this object rightly before us, seek great things for ourselves or our children.
vv8-20
Angels were heralds of the new-born Saviour, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who were in the business of their calling, keeping watch over their flock. We are not out of the way of Divine visits, when we are employed in an honest calling, and abide with God in it. Let God have the honour of this work; Glory to God in the highest. God's good-will to men, manifested in sending the Messiah, redounds to his praise. Other works of God are for his glory, but the redemption of the world is for his glory in the highest. God's goodwill in sending the Messiah, brought peace into this lower world. Peace is here put for all that good which flows to us from Christ's taking our nature upon him. This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men, is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth. The shepherds lost no time, but came with haste to the place. They were satisfied, and made known abroad concerning this child, that he was the Saviour, even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed and thought upon all these things, which were so suited to enliven her holy affections. We should be more delivered from errors in judgment and practice, did we more fully ponder these things in our hearts. It is still proclaimed in our ears that to us is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord. These should be glad tidings to all.
vv21-24
Our Lord Jesus was not born in sin, and did not need that mortification of a corrupt nature, or that renewal unto holiness, which were signified by circumcision. This ordinance was, in his case, a pledge of his future perfect obedience to the whole law, in the midst of sufferings and temptations, even unto death for us. At the end of forty days, Mary went up to the temple to offer the appointed sacrifices for her purification. Joseph also presented the holy child Jesus, because, as a first-born son, he was to be presented to the Lord, and redeemed according to the law. Let us present our children to the Lord who gave them to us, beseeching him to redeem them from sin and death, and make them holy to himself.
Key Words
ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos): that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ἡμέρα (hēméra): day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context)
δόγμα (dógma): a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical)
ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai): to issue (literally or figuratively)
παρά (pará): properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of)
Καῖσαρ (Kaîsar): Cæsar, a title of the Roman emperor
Αὐγοῦστος (Augoûstos): Augustus, a title of the Roman emperor
πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole
οἰκουμένη (oikouménē): land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire
ἀπογράφω (apográphō): to write off (a copy or list), i.e. enrol
Cross References
Luke 2Prophetic prediction of Messiah's birth in Bethlehem, fulfilled via Augustus's decree.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The Mosaic law prescribing the period and requirements for a mother's purification after childbirth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The original law requiring every firstborn male to be consecrated to the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The provision for poor families to offer turtledoves/pigeons instead of a lamb.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Simeon's direct allusion to the Servant of the Lord being a light to the Gentiles.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Simeon echoes the language of the Messiah bringing salvation and light to the Gentiles.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Historical reference to the later census/taxing under Cyrenius that led to insurrection.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Bethlehem as the city of David, where David was anointed king.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel account of Mary being espoused to Joseph before they came together.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Theological significance of Christ's voluntary poverty at His incarnation.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Verbal parallel to Jacob keeping Joseph's dreams in mind/heart, as Mary did here.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The fulfillment of Simeon's prophecy of a sword piercing Mary's soul at the cross.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Textual prototype of the child Samuel growing in favor with the Lord and men.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Socio-religious parallel to the NT standard of honorable, dedicated widows serving the church.
Supported by John Calvin
The law requiring all Jewish males to appear before the Lord three times a year.
Supported by Matthew Poole