Luke 2
2
1 And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, so that the whole world would be enrolled.
2 This was the first enrollment; it was made by the ruler of Syria, Quirinius.
3 And all went to be declared, each one to his own city.
4 Then Joseph also ascended from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to be declared, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
6 Then it happened that, while they were there, the days were completed, so that she would give birth.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son. And she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.
8 And there were shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night over their flock.
9 And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood near them, and the brightness of God shone around them, and they were struck with a great fear.
10 And the Angel said to them: "Do not be afraid. For, behold, I proclaim to you a great joy, which will be for all the people.
11 For today a Saviour has been born for you in the city of David: he is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the celestial army, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will."
15 And it happened that, when the Angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us cross over to Bethlehem and see this word, which has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us."
16 And they went quickly. And they found Mary and Joseph; and the infant was lying in a manger.
17 Then, upon seeing this, they understood the word that had been spoken to them about this boy.
18 And all who heard it were amazed by this, and by those things which were told to them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told to them.
21 And after eight days were ended, so that the boy would be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, just as he was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord,
23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,"
24 and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what 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 this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
27 And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,
28 he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
29 "Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:
32 the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel."
33 And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: "Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.
35 And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity.
37 And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day.
38 And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.
39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.
40 Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him.
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the time of the solemnity of Passover.
42 And when he had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day.
43 And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this.
44 But, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day's journey, seeking him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it happened that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and questioning them.
47 But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses.
48 And upon seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: "Son, why have you acted this way toward us? Behold, your father and I were seeking you in sorrow."
49 And he said to them: "How is it that you were seeking me? For did you not know that it is necessary for me to be in these things which are of my Father?"
50 And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.
51 And he descended with them and went to Nazareth. And he was subordinate to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and in age, and in grace, with God and men.
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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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