Luke 2
2
1It was the time when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that there should be a census of everyone in the Roman Empire. 2This was the first census under governor Quirinius of Syria. 3So everybody went to their own city to be registered. 4Joseph was descended from King David, so he left Nazareth in Galilee to go to Bethlehem, the city of David, in Judea. 5He went to register there, together with Mary, who was pledged in marriage to him and expecting a baby. 6While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby. 7She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him up in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because the inn had no rooms left.
8Nearby some shepherds were spending the night out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them. They were scared out of their wits!
10“Don't be afraid!” the angel told them. “I'm here to bring you good news that will make the all the people really glad. 11The Savior has been born to you today, here in David's city. He is the Messiah, the Lord. 12You will recognize him by this sign: you will find the child wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly many heavenly beings appeared, praising God, saying,
14“Glory to the God of heaven, and on earth peace to those who please him!”
15After the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see what's happened concerning these things the Lord has told us about.”
16They hurried there and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17After they'd seen for themselves, they spread the news of what had happened and what they had been told about this baby. 18All those who heard about it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary was careful to remember all the things that had happened and often thought about them. 20The shepherds went back to watching their flocks, glorifying and thanking God for all that they'd heard and seen, for it was just as they'd been told.
21After eight days, the time came for the baby to be circumcised, and he was named Jesus. This was the name given to him by the angel before he had even been conceived. 22When the time of their purification according to the law of Moses was finished, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23as the law of the Lord states, “Every firstborn son must be dedicated to the Lord.”#2:23. Quoting Exodus 13:2. 24There they made a sacrifice, as God's law also states, of “a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.”#2:24. Quoting Leviticus 12:8.
25Living in Jerusalem at that time was a man called Simeon. Simeon did what was good and was very devout. He was waiting expectantly for the hope of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Messiah.#2:26. Or “Christ.” 27Following the Spirit's leading, he went to the Temple. When Jesus' parents brought in the little boy to be dedicated as required by the Law, 28Simeon took Jesus in his arms, thanked God, and said,
29“Lord and Master, now you can let your servant die in peace as you promised, 30because I have seen for myself your salvation 31which you have prepared for everyone. 32He is a light that will show you to the nations, the glory of your people Israel.” 33Jesus' father and mother were shocked at what Simeon said about him.
34Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Jesus' mother Mary, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and many to rise. He is a sign from God that many will reject, 35revealing what they really think. For you it will feel like a sword piercing right through you.”
36Anna the prophetess also lived in Jerusalem. She was the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. She had been married for seven years, 37and then she had been widowed. She was eighty-four years old. She spent her time at the Temple in worship, fasting and praying. 38She came up to them right at that moment, and began praising God. She spoke about Jesus to all those who were looking forward to the time when God would set Jerusalem free.
39Once they had completed everything God's law required, they returned to their home town of Nazareth in Galilee. 40The child grew strong, and was very wise. God's blessing was with him.
41Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival. 42When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as they always did. 43When the festival had finished and it was time to return home, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, but his parents didn't realize this. 44They assumed he was with all the others traveling home. A day passed before they started looking for him among their friends and relatives. 45When they couldn't find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him there. 46It was three days before they found him in the Temple. He was sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47All who heard him speak were surprised by his understanding and his answers.
48His parents were totally confused when they saw what he was doing. His mother asked him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I—we've been worried sick! We've been looking everywhere for you!”
49“Why is it that you were looking for me?” Jesus replied. “Didn't you know I should be here in my Father's house?” 50But they didn't understand what he meant. 51Then he went back with them to Nazareth, and did what he was told. His mother kept a careful note of everything that happened. 52Jesus grew steadily wiser and stronger, favored both by God and by the people.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com
Luke 2
2
Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem
1Now in those days a decree went out from [the emperor] #2:1 Augustus, Rome’s first and possibly greatest emperor was born Gaius Octavius in 63 b.c. He was the great-nephew, adopted son and heir of the dictator, Julius Caesar. Under Augustus’ intelligent leadership (27 b.c.-a.d. 14) Rome entered the period of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited world (the Roman Empire) should be #2:1 This was the first general census conducted outside Rome that included the people of the Roman provinces.registered [in a census]. 2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own city. 4So 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, 5in order to register with Mary, who was #2:5 See note 1:27.betrothed to him, and was with child. [Matt 1:18-25] 6While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth, 7and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [#2:7 This was customary among the Jews, and quite comfortable and protective for the baby. Wrapping the baby in strips of cloth was intended to strengthen the back and bones for good growth.swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a #2:7 I.e. feeding trough for animals.manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.
8In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for #2:10 I.e. Gentiles as well as Jews.all the people. 11For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah). [Mic 5:2] 12And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.” [1 Sam 2:34; 2 Kin 19:29; Is 7:14] 13Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest [heaven],
And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”
15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger. 17And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child, 18and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
Jesus Presented at the Temple
21At the end of eight days, when He was to be circumcised, He was named Jesus, the name given [to Him] by the angel [Gabriel] before He was conceived in the womb.
22And when the time for their purification came [that is, the mother’s purification and the baby’s dedication] according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord [set apart as the Firstborn] [Lev 12:1-4] 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy [set apart and dedicated] to the Lord)” [Ex 13:1, 2, 12; Num 8:17] 24and [they came also] to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord [to be appropriate for a family of modest means], “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” [Lev 12:6-8]
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout [carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the #2:25 A Messianic title.Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). 27Prompted by the Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, #2:27 I.e. offer the turtledoves as a sacrifice.to do for Him the custom required by the Law, 28Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed and praised and thanked God, and said,
29“Now, Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to leave [this world] in peace,
According to Your word;
30For my eyes have seen Your Salvation, [Is 52:10]
31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was previously unknown],
And [to bring] the praise and honor and glory of Your people Israel.” [Is 42:6; 49:6]
33And His [legal] father and His mother were amazed at what was said about Him. 34Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for #2:34 The rejecting of the Messiah, culminating in the crucifixion.a sign that is to be opposed— [Is 8:14, 15] 35and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, [Josh 19:24] 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the [area of the] temple, but was serving and worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers. 38She, too, came up at that very moment and began praising and giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for the redemption and deliverance of Jerusalem.
Return to Nazareth
39And when they had done everything [in connection with Jesus’ birth] according to the Law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40And the Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him. [Judg 13:24]
Visit to Jerusalem
41Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast. [Deut 16:1-8; Ex 23:15] 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the Feast; 43and as they were returning [to #2:43 Nazareth of Galilee was about 65 miles north of Jerusalem.Nazareth], after spending the required number of days [at the Feast], the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this, 44but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and traveled a day’s journey; and [then] they began searching [anxiously] for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for Him [everywhere]. 46Three days later they found Him in the [court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47All who heard Him were amazed by His intelligence and His understanding and His answers. 48When they saw Him, they were overwhelmed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Listen, Your #2:48 Joseph was recognized as the legal father of Jesus.father and I have been [greatly distressed and] anxiously looking for You.” 49And He answered, “Why did you have to look for Me? Did you not know that I had to be #2:49 Or occupied with My Father’s business.in My Father’s house?” 50But they did not understand what He had said to them. 51He went down to Nazareth with them, and was continually submissive and obedient to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men. [1 Sam 2:26]
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