Luke 2:1-52
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.a
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed,b every one into his own city.
4 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:)
5 To be taxedc with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And 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.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watchd over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherdse 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.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And 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.
22 And 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;)
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.
25 And, 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.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And 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,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And 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.
36 And 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;
37 And 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.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.f
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And 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.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And 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.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And 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.
49 And he said unto them,How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature,g and in favour with God and man.
Luke’s Good News
Luke
Hilda Bright
Chapter 2
The birth of Jesus 2:1-7
v1 At that time *Caesar Augustus ordered a *census in the *Roman *empire. v2 This was the first *census when Quirinius governed Syria. v3 Everyone went to the town of his family to register. v4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. Bethlehem was the town of King David’s birth. Joseph went there because David was his *ancestor.
v5 Joseph went there to register with Mary, who had promised to marry him. She was expecting a baby.
v6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby. v7 She gave birth to her first son. Mary wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in an open box. This box usually held animals’ food. There was no room for them in the *inn.
Verse 1 ‘At that time’ means when John was a baby. The name *Caesar means the *Roman *emperor. He was king over all countries that the *Romans ruled. This *Caesar also received the name Augustus, which means ‘noble’. This was because he had brought peace after many years of war. He ruled for 41 years.
The reason for the *census was to collect *taxes. The *Romans took a *census every 14 years.
Verse 2 We know from ancient records that Quirinius held a *census some years after Jesus was born (Acts 5:37). Quirinius governed Syria twice, so Luke must refer to an earlier *census. We do not know anything else about it.
Verse 3 Men had to go to the city that their family came from.
Verse 4 Nazareth is about 80 miles (130 kilometres) from Bethlehem.
Verse 5 Probably Mary did not have to go too. But Joseph would not want to leave her in Nazareth. People might have insulted her. She was expecting a child, but she was not yet married.
Verse 6 The first son belonged to God (Exodus 13:2).
Verse 7 When Joseph and Mary arrived, the town was already full. People had come for the *census. The *census brought Mary to Bethlehem. The *prophecy of Micah (5:2) said that the *Messiah would be born there. That came true.
The *shepherds and the *angels 2:8-20
v8 In that part of the country, not far from Bethlehem, there were *shepherds out in the fields. They were looking after their sheep during the night. v9 An *angel of the *Lord appeared to them. The *glory of the *Lord was shining over them. They were full of fear. v10 But the *angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! I have come to give you good news. This will bring great joy to everybody. v11 For today, a *Saviour has been born for you in the city of David. He is Christ the *Lord. v12 This will be the evidence for you. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth. He is lying in a place where animals have their food’. v13 Immediately, a great army of heaven’s *angels was there with the *angel. They were praising God and saying, v14 ‘Praise to God in the highest heaven! There will be peace on earth among those who please him’.
v15 Then the *angels returned to heaven. The *shepherds said to one another, ‘We must go to Bethlehem immediately. Then we can see what the *Lord has told us about’. v16 They hurried and found Mary and Joseph. They saw the baby lying in the animals’ box. v17 Then the *shepherds told everyone what the *angel had said to them about the child. v18 The *shepherds’ story astonished everybody. v19 But Mary remembered all these things, and thought about them deeply. v20 The *shepherds returned to their sheep. The *shepherds were praising God for all that they had heard and seen. Everything had been as the *angel had told them.
Verse 8 Probably these *shepherds were looking after sheep intended for *sacrifices in the *Temple in Jerusalem. Bethlehem is only a few miles from Jerusalem.
Verse 9 ‘*glory’ describes a very bright light. It meant that God was there.
Verse 11 The city of David is Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:1).
‘A *Saviour’. Mary too spoke of ‘God my *Saviour’ (1:47). ‘Christ’ is from the *Greek word for the *Hebrew word ‘*Messiah’. ‘*Lord’ is a name for God in the Bible.
Verse 12 They would be able to see the evidence that the *angel’s message was true.
Verse 13 In the *Old Testament, God is ‘the *Lord of hosts’ (Isaiah 6:3). ‘Hosts’ means ‘armies’. The *angels were a great army in heaven.
Verse 14 ‘the highest heaven’ is a way to describe where God is. The *Messiah will bring peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Verse 20 *Jewish leaders of that time did not like *shepherds. Because of their work, *shepherds could not keep all the rules of their religion. Yet they were the first people to hear the good news of the *Messiah’s birth. Luke often emphasises that God cares for people who are poor or not important.
v21 When the baby was eight days old, it was time to *circumcise him. He also received his name Jesus then. The *angel, who visited Mary, said that this would be his name (1:31).
v22 Then Mary and Joseph had to do what the Law of Moses ordered. So Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem to offer him to the *Lord.
v23 As the *Old Testament law says, ‘The first boy who is born in a family belongs to the *Lord’.
v24 The law also says that the parents must offer a *sacrifice of two young birds.
Verse 21 Luke emphasises the baby’s name. The name Jesus means *Saviour, that is, a person who rescues people from *sin.
Verses 22-24 After a woman gave birth to a boy, she was ‘*unclean’ for 40 days. She could not go into the *Temple in Jerusalem. Nor could she attend any *religious ceremony. At the end of the 40 days, she had to offer a *lamb and a young bird. If she could not afford a *lamb, she could bring another young bird instead. Mary’s *offering showed that she did not have enough money for a *lamb (Leviticus 12:8).
Exodus 13:2 says that the first son born in an *Israelite family belongs to God. When the first sons of families in Egypt died, the first sons of *Israelite families remained alive (Exodus 13:14-15). They belonged to God.
Simeon recognises the *Messiah 2:25-35
v25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. He was a good man. He loved God. He was waiting for God’s *Messiah to come to save *Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him. v26 The Holy Spirit had told him that he would not die until he had seen the *Lord’s *Messiah. v27 The Holy Spirit led Simeon into the *Temple court. Then the parents brought the child Jesus so that they could do what the law required. v28 Simeon held Jesus in his arms and praised God. v29 ‘*Lord, you have kept your promise’, he said. ‘Now your servant can die in peace. v30-31 Because I have seen your *salvation, which you have prepared for all people to see. v32 He will be like a light, to show truth to the *Gentiles. He will bring *glory to your people *Israel’.
Verse 29 Simeon had finished his work for God because he had seen the *Messiah.
Verse 32 Isaiah spoke of a servant of the *Lord who would be ‘a light to the nations’ (Isaiah 42:6). Simeon’s words are similar to these. The *Messiah will help *Gentiles to understand God’s truth. All people, *Jews and *Gentiles alike, will see God’s *glory because his Son has come to earth (Isaiah 40:5).
v33 Jesus’ mother and Joseph were astonished at what he said about the child. v34 Simeon *blessed them and said to Mary, the child’s mother, ‘This child will cause many people in *Israel to fall and rise. He will be like a sign that points people to God. Many people will oppose him. v35 He will show up the secret thoughts of many hearts. You will be so sad. It will be like a large sword that cuts you to the heart’.
Verse 33 Joseph was Jesus’ legal father.
Verse 34 ‘Fall and rise’ can have two possible meanings:
(1) People must be humble (‘fall’) before they can gain a place in God’s *kingdom (‘rise’).
(2) The child will separate people. People who refuse to accept Jesus will receive judgement (‘fall’). People who accept him will enter his *kingdom (‘rise’). This will happen ‘in *Israel’, that is, among Jesus’ own people. This truth also appears in John 1:11-12.
Verse 35 Mary will suffer greatly. This came true when she saw her son Jesus die.
People will show their attitudes to God, when they accept or refuse God’s Son, Jesus.
Anna recognises the *Messiah 2:36-38
v36 Anna was the daughter of Phanuel who came from the *tribe of Asher. She gave God’s messages to people. She had a husband for seven years. v37 Now she was a widow. She was 84 years of age. She did not leave the *Temple. She praised God during the night and the day. She prayed and *fasted. v38 She arrived at that moment and thanked God. She spoke about the baby to everyone who was expecting someone to rescue Jerusalem.
Verse 37 ‘she did not leave the *Temple’ may mean that she lived in a room there.
Verse 38 She arrived at the same time as Simeon was there.
Jerusalem was the centre of *worship for the whole nation of Israel. The nation was waiting for the *Messiah to come.
Mary and Joseph return to Nazareth 2:39-40
v39 Mary and Joseph returned to their own town of Nazareth in Galilee. They had performed all the ceremonies that the law required. v40 The child grew and became strong. He was full of wisdom. God’s *blessing was upon him.
They visit Jerusalem for the *Passover *feast 2:41-52
This story is the only one about Jesus as a boy. Only Luke tells it.v41 Every year Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for the *Passover *feast.
v42 When Jesus was 12 years old, they went there as usual. v43 After the *feast, they began the journey back home. But the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this. v44 They travelled for a day and thought that he was in their group. Then they looked for him among their relatives and friends. v45 They did not find him. So, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. v46 After three days, they found him in the *Temple. He was sitting among the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions. v47 He astonished everyone who heard him, because he knew and understood so much. v48 When Joseph and Mary saw him, he astonished them. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you dealt with us like this? Your father and I were very worried as we tried to find you’. v49 He said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I should be in my Father’s house?’ v50 They did not understand what he said. v51 Then he went down with them to Nazareth. He continued to obey his parents. His mother stored all these precious memories in her heart. v52 Jesus became wiser and he grew taller. God was pleased with him and other people approved of him.
Verse 41 The *Passover *feast was in April and it lasted for a week. This *feast reminded the *Israelites how God rescued them from Egypt. They had been slaves there (Exodus 12:24-27). Every *Jewish man was supposed to go to Jerusalem for three important *feasts: *Passover, *Pentecost and the *Feast of Tabernacles. If they could not attend all three *feasts, they would choose the *Passover as the most important.
Verse 42 A *Jewish boy became a man, a ‘son of the law’, when he was 12 years old. This was probably Jesus’ first visit as a boy to the *Temple in Jerusalem.
Verse 43 At the end of the week, people travelled home together in large groups. Mary and Joseph did not worry about Jesus until the evening of the first day’s journey. Everyone met together in the evening.
Verses 45-46 Mary and Joseph took a day to travel back to Jerusalem. They looked for Jesus in the city on the second day. They found him on the third day.
Verse 47 The *court of the *Temple was a place where the *rabbis taught. It was usual for students to ask and answer questions. Jesus had joined a group. He was asking questions. He also answered the questions that the teachers asked him. He astonished them because he knew and understood so much.
Verse 49 No *Jew would call God ‘my’ Father. But Jesus already realised that he had a special relationship with God. Joseph was only his legal ‘father’.
When Jesus said ‘I must be in my Father’s house’, this showed how much he knew. Jesus knew that he must do what his Father required. All through his life, Jesus knew that he must obey God’s purpose for him.
Verse 51 After this, Luke does not mention again that Joseph was present. Joseph may have died before Jesus began his public work. However, the people in Nazareth called Jesus ‘Joseph’s son’ (Luke 4:22).
‘Mary stored all these precious memories in her heart’. Perhaps, many years later, she told them to Luke himself.
This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words)
Caesar ~ Roman emperor.Roman ~ person or thing that belongs to Rome.
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
Rome ~ capital of a great empire in *New Testament times.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
census ~ official count of people.
Roman ~ person or thing that belongs to Rome.
Rome ~ capital of a great empire in *New Testament times.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
ancestors ~ any persons from whom the families of your father or mother come.
inn ~ a place that provides food and shelter for travellers.
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
tax ~ money that people must pay to the government.
prophecy ~ words that God gives to a person to tell other people.'Christ/Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Messiah/Christ ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
shepherd ~ one who cares for sheep.
angel ~ God’s servant and messenger in heaven.
messenger ~ person who gives a message.
Lord ~ name for God in the Bible; name that we use for Jesus when we obey him.
glory ~ everything that makes God beautiful and great; like a great light from God.
Saviour ~ the one (Jesus) who rescues from sin.
sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.
sacrifice ~ a gift to God to ask him to forgive sins; or to thank him for something.
Temple ~ special building in Jerusalem where Jews worshipped God.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.
Greek ~ language of the *New Testament. Many people spoke Greek in *New Testament times.
Hebrew ~ language of the Jews and of the *Old Testament.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Jewish ~ a word that describes a Jew or anything to do with a Jew.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Israel, Israelites ~ all the people from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
'sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.unclean ~ (1) not pure in a religious meaning. (2) dirty.
religious ~ leaders belonging to a religion.
religious ~ leaders belonging to a religion.
lamb ~ young sheep.
offering ~ a gift to please God.'Israel, Israelites ~ all the people from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.'Israel, Israelites ~ all the people from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
salvation ~ when God saves a person from the results of, and punishment for, sin. When a person is sorry for their wrong ways; God forgives them and they follow Jesus.
save/salvation ~ rescue from the power and result of sin.
sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.
Gentiles ~ people who are not Jews.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.'bless, blessing ~ to say or to do much good to a person; to call something holy; to ask God for good things to happen; to guard and to keep from evil things.
kingdom ~ land that a king rules.
tribe ~ a group of people; a family or people having the same ancestors.
ancestors ~ any persons from whom the families of your father or mother come.
fast ~ to choose not to eat and drink for a time.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.'bless, blessing ~ to say or to do much good to a person; to call something holy; to ask God for good things to happen; to guard and to keep from evil things.
Passover ~ annual ceremony to remember when God rescued the Jews from Egypt.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
feast ~ special meal; religious ceremony.
religious ~ leaders belonging to a religion.
Pentecost ~ the time each year when the Jews thank God for their food; the time when God gave the Holy Spirit to the church.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Holy Spirit ~ God’s Spirit sent by Jesus to help people; another name for God; also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and the one who comforts; the Holy Spirit is a person, but not human as we are; he lives and works for God; he is God, equal with God the Father and with God the Son. We cannot see him but he is there.
spirit ~ the part of a person which is alive, which we cannot see. It can speak to other spirits and the soul.
soul ~ the part of a person that we cannot see, that is in us during our life on earth. It continues to live after the body dies.
feast ~ special meal; religious ceremony.
religious ~ leaders belonging to a religion.
rabbi ~ teacher of the law of the Jews.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Luke: The Man Christ Jesus
The Birth of Jesus and the Beginning of his Work
Ian Mackervoy
Chapter 2
The birth and childhood of Jesus – Luke 2:1-52
The birth of Jesus – Luke 2:1-7
v1 In those days, *Caesar Augustus issued an order. All the people in the entire *Roman world had to record their names in registers. v2 This was the first register of the people while Quirinius governed Syria. v3 And all the people went to their own towns to register.
v4 So, Joseph went from the town called Nazareth in Galilee. He went to the town called Bethlehem in Judea. Bethlehem was the town of David. Joseph went there because he was a *descendant of David. v5 Joseph went to register with Mary. They had agreed to marry. Mary was expecting a baby. v6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born.v7 Mary gave birth to her first son and she wrapped him with pieces of cloth. There was no place for them in the hotel. So, she laid him in a box. Usually, animals ate from that box.
Verses 1-3 *Caesar was the title that *Roman rulers took. They were in effect the kings of Rome. Octavianus Augustus was a nephew of Julius *Caesar. Augustus’ real name was Thurinus but he changed his name to Augustus in 27 *BC. Augustus means ‘honourable’. He became *Caesar after the death of Julius in about 31 *BC. He died in 14 *AD.
Augustus gave the order that all the people must register themselves. The purpose of the registers of people was to charge taxes. This register of the people was when Quirinius governed Syria (verse 2). Bible students are not sure when this happened. There are different ideas about the periods when Quirinius governed Syria, and about the meaning of verse 2.
In *Israel, all the *Jews had to go to the towns of their *ancestors.
Verses 4-7 Joseph and Mary travelled from Nazareth town to Bethlehem in Judea. Joseph was a *descendant of David. Bethlehem was the place where David was born. Mary expected the baby Jesus to be born soon. Mary was married to Joseph (Matthew 1:24-25). Luke says that they had agreed to marry. Perhaps he says this because they had not had sex yet. Joseph was not the father of the baby. The *Holy Spirit had arranged for the birth of Jesus to Mary.
Bethlehem, which means ‘house of bread’, was about 6 miles (10 kilometres) from Jerusalem. It was about three days’ journey for Joseph and Mary from Nazareth. It would have been a rough journey for Mary in her state.
There seems to be no need for Mary to be there. Joseph could register for the family. She was also a *descendant of David. Perhaps for that reason she had to register. But God arranged it this way so that the *Christ would be born there. The *prophet Micah said that this would be so. He spoke about 700 years earlier. He said, ‘But you, Bethlehem, are a very small town. You are so small among Judah’s families. But out of you, a man will come who is for me. He will be the ruler over *Israel. His origin was a long time ago in the past. It was in an ancient time’ (Micah 5:2).
By the time that Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room for them. There is a tradition that Jesus was born in a stable. A stable is a place where people keep animals. That could be right. But it is also possible that Jesus was born in a poor home. In the poorest homes, people and animals lived together, in the same room.
When a child was born, *Jewish women would wash it with water. Then they would rub it with salt and they would wrap it in cloths (Ezekiel 16:4). It seems that Mary did this for the baby Jesus. There may have been nobody there to help her. Therefore, Mary had to do these things herself. Then she laid the baby in a box. Usually, animals ate from that box. But that was the only place where she could put her baby to sleep.
The *shepherds and the *angels – Luke 2:8-20
v8 In the same region, there were *shepherds who were living in the fields. They guarded their sheep during the night. v9 An *angel of the *Lord appeared to them. The *glory of the *Lord shone round them. And they were very afraid. v10 The *angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people. v11 Today in the town of David, a *Saviour has been born to you. He is the Christ the *Lord. v12 This is the proof by which you will know him. You will find a baby with cloths round him. He is lying in a box. Usually, animals eat from that box.’
v13 At once with the *angel, there was a great army of *angels from heaven. They were praising God. v14 They said, ‘*Glory to God in the highest heaven. And on earth, let there be peace for the people whom God approves.’
v15 The *angels left them and went back to heaven. Then the *shepherds said to each other, ‘Let us go to Bethlehem. Let us see this thing that has happened. The *Lord has told us about it.’
v16 So, they went quickly and they found Mary, Joseph and the baby. The baby was lying in a box. Usually, animals ate from that box. v17 They saw this. Then the *shepherds told everyone what the *angel had said to them about the child. v18 The *shepherds’ reports astonished all who heard them. v19 But Mary remembered all these things. She thought deeply about what they must mean. v20 The *shepherds went back to their sheep. They declared how great God is. And they praised God for all that they had heard. They praised him for all that they had seen. Everything was as the *angel had told them.
Verses 8-14 *Shepherds kept their sheep in the open fields near Bethlehem from about April to November. They may have kept the sheep in the fields later than this if the weather was not too cold. They had to guard their sheep from wild animals and from thieves. So, the *shepherds watched in turn through the night to protect their sheep.
Probably they kept these sheep near Bethlehem to be *sacrifices in the *temple.
Suddenly, light replaced the darkness of the night. An *angel appeared and with him the *glory of the *Lord came. This sight frightened the *shepherds. The *angel told them about the birth of the *Saviour. This is the good news that would give great joy to all people. The *Saviour is the *Christ the *Lord. And he told them how they would recognise the baby Jesus.
The *Jews expected that one day God would send the *Christ to them. The good news that the *Christ had come was to the *Jews first. Then it was good news for all people. People used the word ‘*Lord’ in the *Greek language to translate the name of God from the *Hebrew language. His name ‘the *Lord’ shows that Jesus is God.
Then a large number of *angels appeared in the sky. And, with the first *angel, they praised God. They praised God because he had sent Jesus to save us.
The *angels said, ‘Let there be peace on earth.’ We were all enemies of God because of our *sins. But in Jesus, we can have peace with God. In other words, we have a right relationship with God. In Jesus, God’s enemies become his children.
Verses 15-18 The *angels left the *shepherds. The *shepherds did not doubt the truth of the *angel’s words. They left their sheep and they went to find Jesus. They did not delay but they went quickly. It seems that they knew Bethlehem well. They had to look for a baby, with cloths round it, which was in a box for animal food. And they soon found Mary, Joseph and the baby. Everything was as the *angel had told them. They saw the *Christ who would save his people from their *sins.
The *shepherds told everyone what the *angel had said about the baby. Probably the *angel said a lot more to them than we have in this record. What they said astonished all who heard them.
Verses 19-20 Mary listened to what the *shepherds said. She thought deeply about all that had happened. She tried to understand what it all meant.
The *shepherds returned to their sheep. They praised God for what they had heard. They praised God for what they had seen.
Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the *temple – Luke 2:21-40
v21 The ceremony to *circumcise the baby happened 8 days after his birth. Mary and Joseph gave him the name Jesus. Before Mary was expecting the child, the *angel had given this name to him.
v22 The time came for Joseph and Mary to perform the ceremony to make them clean. This was to obey what the law of Moses commanded. They took the child to Jerusalem to offer him to the *Lord. v23 (They did this to obey the law of the *Lord. It says that the first male child of every mother belongs to the *Lord.) v24 Also, they went to give the *sacrifice that the *Lord’s law orders. They had to bring two *doves or two young *pigeons.
v25 A man called Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was a good and sincere man. He respected and obeyed God. This man was expecting the *Christ to come and to help *Israel. And God’s *Holy Spirit was with Simeon. v26 The *Holy Spirit had told him that he would see the *Lord’s *Christ. And, that Simeon would not die before he had seen the *Christ. v27 God’s Spirit led him to the *temple area at the time when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus there. They came to do for Jesus what the law orders. v28 Then Simeon took the child in his arms and he praised God.
v29 He said, ‘Now, Master, free your servant to die. Let me be at peace as you promised to me. v30 With my eyes I have seen the *Christ whom you have sent to save the people. v31 You have prepared him for people from all nations to see. v32 He is like a light that will show your truth to the nations. He will bring honour and *glory to your people, *Israel.’
v33 What Simeon said about him astonished the child’s father and mother. v34 Then Simeon blessed them. He spoke to Jesus’ mother, Mary. He said, ‘This child will cause many people in *Israel to fall and to rise. He will be a sign from God but many people will oppose him. v35 This will show clearly what people really think in their hearts. And you, yourself, will suffer and be sad. It will be as if a sword cut through your heart.’
v36 Anna, a *prophet, was also there. She was a *descendant of Phanuel from the *tribe of Asher. She was now very old. Her husband had died 7 years after they married. v37 She had been a widow a long time. She was now 84 years old. She never left the *temple area. She *worshipped God day and night. She prayed to God and often she went without food. v38 At that moment, she came to Mary and Joseph and she began to thank God. She spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.
v39 Mary and Joseph finished all the things that the *Lord’s law orders. Then they went home to Nazareth, a town in Galilee. v40 The child grew and he became strong. He was learning to be wise. God was pleased with him and he *blessed Jesus.
Verses 21-24 On the 8th day, *Jewish parents must *circumcise a baby boy (Genesis 17:12). Mary and Joseph did all that the law ordered. So Mary and Joseph arranged for this to happen at the proper time. Mary and Joseph obeyed what the *angel had told Mary. They gave the name Jesus to the baby (1:31).
Every first son belonged to the *Lord. The parents had to pay money to the *Lord for the first son when he was a month old. This was to buy back the boy. The fee was 5 *shekels (Numbers 18:15-16)
In *Jewish law, a woman became unclean on the birth of her child because of the blood. The mother was unclean for 40 days after the birth if the baby was a boy (Leviticus 12:4). To be unclean meant that the woman could not go to the *temple. And she could not join with other people as they *worshipped God. At the end of this period, the woman had to bring a *sacrifice to the *Lord. This *sacrifice was a *lamb, with a *dove or *pigeon. If she could not afford a *lamb, she would bring two *doves or two young *pigeons (Leviticus 12:6-8).
So, at the proper time, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the *Lord. They brought the *sacrifices to make Mary clean. Mary and Joseph were not wealthy and they could not afford to bring a *lamb. So, they brought either two *doves or two young *pigeons.
Verses 25-28 We know nothing more about Simeon than is in this passage. It seems that he was an old man. He was a good man and he trusted in God. He was expecting the *Saviour to come. And the *Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would see the *Lord’s *Christ. The *Christ would come before Simeon died.
The *Holy Spirit led Simeon to go into the *temple. So, he was there when Mary and Joseph came in with Jesus. Then Simeon knew that the baby Jesus was the *Christ. Here was what he had waited for. It would have been a time of great emotion and joy for Simeon. He took the baby in his arms and he praised God.
Verses 29-32 Many Christians know what Simeon said here as the Nunc Dimittis. These are the first two words in the *Latin translation of this passage. It means, ‘Now let me die.’
Simeon, the servant of the *Lord, was now ready to die. His ambition had been to see the *Christ. Now with his own eyes, he had seen him whom God had sent. He had only seen a baby, but by *faith, he saw the *Saviour. He had seen Jesus who would save his people from their *sins.
In death, Simeon would be at peace. In other words, all the troubles of this life would end and he would go to be with his *Lord.
The *Lord Jesus did not come only for *Israel. He came for people from all the nations in the world. God wanted all nations to hear the good news. God sent Jesus to save people in every nation from their *sins. He saves all who believe him. They must *repent of their *sins and they must trust him.
The structure of these verses is a typical *Hebrew poem. It says the same idea in two ways. So, in verse 29 both sentences show the same thing. Verses 30 and 31 are a couple. And in verse 32, the light to the nations and the honour and *glory for *Israel are a couple.
Verses 33-35 Mary and Joseph were aware of the things that Simeon had said about Jesus. But it astonished them that this man said such things. He had come to the *temple at that exact time. They could see that the *Lord had sent him. Now he spoke to Mary about the future of Jesus.
The *Lord Jesus will be a cause of division among people. They will be either for him or against him. Some people will refuse to accept him. They will be like people who fall (Isaiah 8:14-15). Such people have no hope of *salvation if they do not change their attitudes. But the *Lord will raise up the people who trust him. In other words, he will give them new life.
Jesus will show what God is like. Many people will refuse to believe this. And they will become his enemies.
Mary will see how Jesus dies (John 19:25). This will feel as terrible as a sword that cuts through her heart. As his mother, she will feel the pain of his death.
Verses 36-38 Asher was one of the 10 *tribes of *Israel that Assyria removed from the country called *Israel. Some people from those *tribes had remained in *Israel. Many people from these *tribes joined with Judah during the rule of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 30:1-11). Anna belonged to the *tribe of Asher.
Anna had been married for 7 years but her husband had died. For many years, she had been a widow. At this time, she was 84 years old. And she was praying in the *temple every day.
When Mary and Joseph had come into the *temple, Anna came to them. Maybe she was there as Simeon took Jesus in his arms. She saw the baby Jesus. She knew that he was the *Christ. She praised God. She spoke about Jesus to those people who waited for God to send the *Christ.
Verses 39-40 Mary and Joseph returned to their home in Nazareth. But this was not immediately after this visit to the *temple. They were in Bethlehem for a period of time. Then they went to Egypt because King Herod wanted to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:13-23). After Herod’s death, they made their home in Nazareth where Jesus grew up.
Jesus grew in body and mind as a boy and as a man. He was the Son of God; but he was a real man as well. God his Father watched over his development.
The boy Jesus in the *temple – Luke 2:41-52
v41 Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the *Passover *feast. v42 When Jesus was 12 years old, they went to the *feast as usual. v43 When the days of the *feast were over, they started to go home. The boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem but his parents did not know it. v44 They thought that Jesus was in the group of travellers. They went on their journey for a day. Then they looked for Jesus among their family and friends. v45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there. v46 After three days, they found Jesus in the *temple. He was sitting there among the teachers. He was listening to the teachers and he was asking them questions. v47 His intelligence and his answers astonished all who heard him. v48 When his parents saw him, it astonished them also. His mother asked him, ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Look! Your father and I have been very worried as we looked for you.’
v49 Jesus said to them, ‘You did not need to look for me. You should have known that I must be in my Father’s house.’ v50 But they did not understand what he said to them.
v51 Then Jesus went with them to Nazareth town and he obeyed them. But his mother kept in her heart all that had happened. v52 Jesus grew in wisdom and he became a mature man. God was pleased with him and so were the people.
Verses 41-42 God’s law said that *Jewish men should go to Jerusalem each year for the three main *feasts (Exodus 23:17 and Exodus 34:23). These *feasts were *Passover, *Pentecost and the *feast of shelters. If they could not go to all three *feasts, they made a special effort to go for *Passover. Joseph and Mary went every year for the *Passover *feast. Women did not have to go but many went with their husbands.
At the age of 13, boys become men in the *Jewish religion. At that age, they could take part as adults in the *feasts. It was usual for boys to go to the *feasts before that age. And they often went a year before. So, Jesus went with Mary and Joseph when he was 12 years old.
Verses 43-44 The *Passover *feast lasted 8 days. The first day was the *Passover when they killed the young sheep. Then there were 7 days for the *feast of bread without *yeast (Exodus 12:15; Leviticus 23:5-6).
At the end of the *feast, Mary and Joseph began the three day journey back to Nazareth. They went with a group of relatives and friends. They thought that Jesus would be with friends in the group. Often men and women walked in separate groups. Joseph may have thought that Jesus was with Mary. And Mary may have thought that Jesus was with Joseph. However, at the end of the day, they could not find him. They did not know that Jesus had remained in Jerusalem.
Verses 45-47 Mary and Joseph supposed that Jesus was still in Jerusalem. They were so worried that they hurried back there. After three days, or on the third day, they found Jesus. The first day was the journey from Jerusalem. The second day was the journey back to Jerusalem. On the third day, or the day after, they found Jesus.
Jesus was in the *temple with the teachers of religion. He listened to them and he asked them questions. Also, they asked him questions. At the age of 12 years, he astonished the people with his knowledge.
Verses 48-50 Mary and Joseph had not expected to find Jesus with the famous teachers. The way that people respected him astonished them. But Mary expressed the worry that she and Joseph had felt. She asked Jesus why he had done this to them.
This incident causes all kinds of questions in our minds. But Jesus gave them an answer that they did not understand. They should have known that God was Jesus’ Father, not Joseph. It was natural that Jesus should be in his Father’s house. Jesus had to do his Father’s work. There was no need for Mary and Joseph to worry. There was no need for them to look for him.
Verses 51-52 Jesus went home with Mary and Joseph. He was God’s son but he was also the son of Mary. So, he obeyed his human parents. Mary remembered all that had happened. And she thought much about these events.
Jesus grew into the perfect man. God was pleased with him and all the people respected him.
Caesar ~ a title of the Roman ruler.
Roman ~ Rome was the capital city of the rulers at the time of the New Testament. Anything that belonged to Rome was called Roman.
New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
Roman ~ Rome was the capital city of the rulers at the time of the New Testament. Anything that belonged to Rome was called Roman.
New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
BC ~ years before Jesus Christ.
AD ~ years after Jesus Christ.
Israel ~ the country of the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.'Holy Spirit ~ God’s Spirit whom Jesus sent to help his people. The Holy Spirit is another name for God, also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and the Comforter. The Holy Spirit is a person but not human. He carries out God’s work on earth. He is God, equal with God the Father and with God the Son.
Christ ~ the Christ is the name for the person whom God would send to be the Saviour of his people. Jesus is the Christ and he was called Christ.
Saviour ~ a title of Jesus. He is called the Saviour because he saves us from our sins.
sin ~ the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
prophet ~ a person who speaks for God. A prophet can sometimes say what will happen in the future.
Jewish ~ people or things that are from the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
shepherd ~ someone who takes care of sheep.
angel ~ a servant of God from heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages. So, angels are God’s servants from heaven. But there are evil angels who opposed God. These evil angels now serve the devil.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God. The word ‘Lord’ can also mean a master or a ruler.
Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
glory ~ great honour and beauty.
Saviour ~ a title of Jesus. He is called the Saviour because he saves us from our sins.
sin ~ the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
glory ~ great honour and beauty.
shepherd ~ someone who takes care of sheep.
sacrifice ~ something that people gave to God. It was usually an animal or a bird that the priests burned on an altar. Sometimes people gave sacrifices in order to thank God. And sometimes people gave sacrifices so that God could forgive sin. When Jesus died, he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
altar ~ a special table where priests burned sacrifices or incense for God.
sin ~ the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
incense ~ something that gives a sweet smell when it burns. The priests burned it when they praised God in the temple.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God. The Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God. But at other temples, people worshipped false gods.
worship ~ the act when someone shows honour to God (or to a false god). When a person worships, that person praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God. The Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God. But at other temples, people worshipped false gods.
worship ~ the act when someone shows honour to God (or to a false god). When a person worships, that person praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
Greek ~ the original language of the New Testament.
New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
Hebrew ~ the language of the Jews and of the Old Testament.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
sin ~ the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
circumcise ~ to cut off the loose skin from the end of the sex part of a boy.
dove ~ a type of bird.
pigeon ~ a bird.
tribe ~ a large family of people who have a common ancestor. The nation called Israel grew from the 12 sons of Jacob. Their 12 families became the 12 tribes of Israel.
ancestors ~ people in history from whom your family has come.
Israel ~ the country of the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
worship ~ the act when someone shows honour to God (or to a false god). When a person worships, that person praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
bless ~ to be especially kind to someone.
shekel ~ Jewish money.
Jewish ~ people or things that are from the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
lamb ~ a young sheep.
Lamb ~ a name for Jesus because he died as a sacrifice for our sin. He is called the Lamb of God.
sacrifice ~ something that people gave to God. It was usually an animal or a bird that the priests burned on an altar. Sometimes people gave sacrifices in order to thank God. And sometimes people gave sacrifices so that God could forgive sin. When Jesus died, he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
sin ~ the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
altar ~ a special table where priests burned sacrifices or incense for God.
incense ~ something that gives a sweet smell when it burns. The priests burned it when they praised God in the temple.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God. The Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God. But at other temples, people worshipped false gods.
worship ~ the act when someone shows honour to God (or to a false god). When a person worships, that person praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
Latin ~ an old language that Christians used in worship.
worship ~ the act when someone shows honour to God (or to a false god). When a person worships, that person praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
faith ~ trust in someone or something; belief and trust in God and in Jesus Christ his Son.
repent ~ to change one’s mind and heart. People who repent must turn their minds and hearts away from sin. They ask God to help them so that they can now serve him.
sin ~ the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
salvation ~ the result when God saves us from sin and punishment; the new life that God gives to those people who believe in the Lord Jesus.
sin ~ the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God. The word ‘Lord’ can also mean a master or a ruler.
Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
Passover ~ annual ceremony (feast) to remember God’s rescue of the Jews from Egypt.
feast ~ a time to eat and drink. The special times of Jewish ceremonies are feasts.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
Jewish ~ people or things that are from the Jews.
feast ~ a time to eat and drink. The special times of Jewish ceremonies are feasts.
Jewish ~ people or things that are from the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
Pentecost ~ annual ceremony (feast) when the Jews thank God for the harvest.
feast ~ a time to eat and drink. The special times of Jewish ceremonies are feasts.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their *descendants.
Jewish ~ people or things that are from the Jews.
yeast ~ a substance that makes bread rise before someone bakes it.