Luke 2
2
The Birth of Jesus
(Mt 1.18–25)
1At that time the Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. 3Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own town.
4Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. 5He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, 6and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. 7She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger — there was no room for them to stay in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, 10but the angel said to them, “Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. 11This very day in David's town your Saviour was born — Christ the Lord! 12And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:
14“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!”
15When the angels went away from them back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us.”
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. 17When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. 18All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. 19Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. 20The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them.
Jesus is Named
21 #
Lev 12.3; Lk 1.31 A week later, when the time came for the baby to be circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name which the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
Jesus is Presented in the Temple
22 #
Lev 12.6–8
The time came for Joseph and Mary to perform the ceremony of purification, as the Law of Moses commanded. So they took the child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23#Ex 13.2, 12as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male is to be dedicated to the Lord.” 24They also went to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law of the Lord.
25At that time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem. He was a good, God-fearing man and was waiting for Israel to be saved. The Holy Spirit was with him 26and had assured him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's promised Messiah. 27Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required, 28Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God:
29“Now, Lord, you have kept your promise,
and you may let your servant go in peace.
30With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:
32 #
Is 42.6; 49.6; 52.10 A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles
and bring glory to your people Israel.”
33The child's father and mother were amazed at the things Simeon said about him. 34Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “This child is chosen by God for the destruction and the salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God which many people will speak against 35and so reveal their secret thoughts. And sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart.”
36-37There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now 84 years old.#2.36–37 was now 84 years old; or had been a widow 84 years. She never left the Temple; day and night she worshipped God, fasting and praying. 38That very same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.
The Return to Nazareth
39 #
Mt 2.23
When Joseph and Mary had finished doing all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their home town of Nazareth in Galilee. 40The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and God's blessings were upon him.
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 #
Ex 12.1–27; Deut 16.1–8 Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual. 43When the festival was over, they started back home, but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; 44they thought that he was with the group, so they travelled a whole day and then started looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45They did not find him, so they went back to Jerusalem looking for him. 46On the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers. 48His parents were astonished when they saw him, and his mother said to him, “My son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find you.”
49He answered them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?” 50But they did not understand his answer.
51So Jesus went back with them to Nazareth, where he was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52#1 Sam 2.26; Prov 3.4Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, gaining favour with God and people.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
Luke 2
2
The Birth of Jesus
Mt 1:18–25
1#Lk 3:1; Mt 24:14In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed. 2#Lk 3:1This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.
4#Jn 7:42; 1Sa 16:1So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth. 7#Mt 1:25; Lk 2:11–12And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9#2Co 3:18And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. 10#Ge 12:3; Isa 40:9But the angel said to them, “Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. 11#Mt 1:21; Lk 1:43; Mt 16:16For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12#1Sa 2:34; 2Ki 19:29And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13#Ge 28:12; 32:1–2Suddenly there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14#Lk 1:79; 19:38 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, and good will toward men.”
15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16#Lk 2:7; 2:12So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. 17When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them. 19#Lk 2:51; Ge 37:11But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
21#Lk 1:31; 1:59When eight days had passed and the Child was circumcised, He was named JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22When the 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 13:2; Nu 3:13(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be called holy to the Lord”#Ex 13:2, 12; Nu 3:13; 8:17.) 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”#Lev 5:11; 12:8.
25#Lk 1:6; 2:38Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26#Jn 8:51; Heb 11:5It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27#Lk 2:41; 2:48Led by the Spirit, he came into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28#Lk 1:64he received Him in his arms and blessed God and said:
29#Ge 15:15; Lk 2:26 “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace,
according to Your word;
30#Lk 3:6; Isa 52:10 for my eyes have seen Your salvation
31which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
32#Isa 49:6; 9:2; 60:19 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel.”
33Joseph and His mother were amazed at those things which were spoken about Him. 34#1Co 1:23; Mt 21:44; Ac 28:22Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen, this Child is destined to cause the fall and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign which will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And a sword will pierce through your own soul also.”
36#Ac 21:9; Ex 15:20And there was Anna a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. 37#1Ti 5:5; Ac 14:23And she was a widow of about eighty-four years of age who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayer night and day. 38#Lk 2:25; 1:68Coming at that moment she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39#Lk 2:4When they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 40#Lk 2:52; 1:80And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was upon Him.
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41#Dt 16:1–8; 1Sa 1:3Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43When the days of the feast were complete, as they returned, the Child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know of it. 44But supposing Him to be in their company, they went a day’s journey. Then they searched for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for Him. 46#Lk 5:17After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47#Mt 7:28; Mk 1:22All who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and His answers. 48When they saw Him, they were amazed. And His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You dealt with us like this? Look, Your father and I have anxiously searched for You.”
49#Jn 4:34He said to them, “How is it that you searched for Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50#Lk 18:34; Mk 9:32But they did not understand the word which He spoke to them.
51#Lk 2:19; Mk 6:3Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. But His mother kept all these words in her heart. 52#1Sa 2:26; Lk 2:40And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and men.
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