Luke 2
2
Jesus’ birth
1In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. 2This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. 3Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. 4Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. 5He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. 6While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. 7She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.
Announcement to shepherds
8Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. 9The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
10The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. 11Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. 12This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, 14“Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
15When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” 16They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. 18Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. 20The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
Jesus’ circumcision, naming, and temple presentation
21When eight days had passed, Jesus’ parents circumcised him and gave him the name Jesus. This was the name given to him by the angel before he was conceived. 22When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (23It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”) 24They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.#2.24 Lev 12:8; 5:11 LXX
Simeon’s response to Jesus
25A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. 28Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,
29“Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word,
30because my eyes have seen your salvation.
31You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples.
32It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and a glory for your people Israel.”
33His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. 34Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.”
Anna’s response to Jesus
36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. 37She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. 38She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Jesus as a child in Nazareth
39When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. 40The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
Jesus in the temple at Passover
41Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42When he was 12 years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to their custom. 43After the festival was over, they were returning home, but the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t know it. 44Supposing that he was among their band of travelers, they journeyed on for a full day while looking for him among their family and friends. 45When they didn’t find Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed by his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were shocked.
His mother said, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Listen! Your father and I have been worried. We’ve been looking for you!”
49Jesus replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” 50But they didn’t understand what he said to them.
51Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother cherished every word in her heart. 52Jesus matured in wisdom and years, and in favor with God and with people.
Currently Selected:
Luke 2: CEB
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
Luke 2
2
Christ Born of Mary
1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2#Dan. 9:25; Acts 5:37This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to #1 Sam. 16:1; Mic. 5:2the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, #Matt. 1:16because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, #(Matt. 1:18)his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7And #Matt. 1:25; Luke 1:31she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, #Luke 1:12and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, #Luke 1:13, 30“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy #Gen. 12:3; Is. 49:6; (Matt. 28:19; Mark 1:15; Col. 1:23)which will be to all people. 11#Is. 9:6For there is born to you this day in the city of David #Matt. 1:21; John 4:42; (Acts 5:31)a Savior, #Matt. 1:16; 16:16, 20; John 11:27; Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:11who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13#Gen. 28:12; Ps. 103:20; 148:2; Dan. 7:10; (Heb. 1:14); Rev. 5:11And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14“Glory#Matt. 21:9; Luke 19:38; Eph. 1:6 to God in the highest,
And on earth #Is. 57:19; (Rom. 5:1); Eph. 2:17; (Col. 1:20)peace, #(John 3:16; Eph. 2:4, 7; 2 Thess. 2:16; 1 John 4:9)goodwill toward men!”
15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19#Gen. 37:11; Luke 1:66But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and #Luke 19:37praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Circumcision of Jesus
21#Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called #(Matt. 1:21)Jesus, the name given by the angel #Luke 1:31before He was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22Now when #Lev. 12:2–8the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23#Ex. 13:12; 22:29; Lev. 27:26; Deut. 18:4; Neh. 10:36(as it is written in the law of the Lord, #Ex. 13:2, 12, 15; Num. 3:13; 8:17“Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, #Lev. 12:2, 8“A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Simeon Sees God’s Salvation
25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, #Is. 40:1; Mark 15:43; Luke 2:38; 23:51waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not #Ps. 89:48; (John 8:51; Heb. 11:5)see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27So he came #Matt. 4:1by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29“Lord, #Gen. 46:30; (Phil. 1:23)now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30For my eyes #Ps. 119:166, 174; (Is. 52:10; Luke 3:6)have seen Your salvation
31Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32#Is. 9:2; 42:6; 49:6; 60:1–3; Matt. 4:16; Acts 10:45; 13:47; 28:28; (Rom. 9:24; Gal. 3:14)A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the #Is. 8:14; Hos. 14:9; Matt. 21:44; (Rom. 9:32); 1 Cor. 1:23; (2 Cor. 2:16; 1 Pet. 2:7, 8)fall and rising of many in Israel, and for #Matt. 28:12–15; Acts 4:2; 17:32; 28:22; (1 Pet. 2:12; 4:14)a sign which will be spoken against 35(yes, #Ps. 42:10; John 19:25a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
36Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of #Josh. 19:24Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers #Acts 26:7; 1 Tim. 5:5night and day. 38And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who #Lam. 3:25, 26; Mark 15:43; Luke 24:21looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
The Family Returns to Nazareth
39So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40#Luke 1:80; 2:52; (1 Cor. 1:24, 30)And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
41His parents went to #John 4:20Jerusalem #Ex. 23:15, 17; 34:23; Deut. 16:1, 16; Luke 22:15every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the #Ex. 23:14, 15custom of the feast. 43When they had finished the #Ex. 12:15days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47And #Matt. 7:28; 13:54; 22:33; Mark 1:22; 6:2; 11:18; Luke 4:32; John 7:15all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
49And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be #John 9:4about #(Mark 1:22; Luke 4:22, 32; John 4:34; 5:17, 36)My Father’s business?” 50But #Mark 9:32; Luke 9:45; 18:34; John 7:15, 46they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor
51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother #Dan. 7:28kept all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus #(Is. 11:2, 3; Col. 2:2, 3)increased in wisdom and stature, #1 Sam. 2:26; (Prov. 3:1–4)and in favor with God and men.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.