The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
Study note
A Roman census decree brings Joseph and the pregnant Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David. There, in the humblest of settings, Mary gives birth to her firstborn son and lays him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. Luke carefully places this event in its historical context under Caesar Augustus and Governor Cyrenius, underscoring that God's plan unfolds within real human history.
1 Around that time, Caesar Augustus gave an order. He said everyone in the whole empire must be counted. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (This was the very first census. It took place while Cyrenius was governing Syria.) (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 So everyone went to their family's hometown to get signed up. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 Joseph traveled from the town of Nazareth in Galilee down to Judaea, to Bethlehem, the city of David. He went there because he belonged to the family line of David. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 He went there to register along with Mary, the woman he was engaged to, who was going to have a baby. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 During the time they were in Bethlehem, the day came for her baby to be born. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 She had her first son. She wrapped him up snugly in strips of cloth. She placed him in a feeding trough because there was no room for them at the inn. 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.
Angels Announce to the Shepherds
Study note
Shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night receive the first announcement of Jesus' birth from an angel, followed by a heavenly host praising God. The good news comes first to these humble workers rather than to kings or religious leaders, reflecting Luke's theme that God's salvation is for all people. The shepherds hurry to find the baby, then spread the word and return glorifying God.
8 Not far away, some shepherds were out in the open fields that night, taking turns watching over their sheep. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 All at once, an angel of the Lord appeared before them, and the brilliant light of God's glory surrounded them. They were terrified. 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 to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." 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 Savior, who is Christ the Lord. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 "Here is how you will recognize him: you will find a newborn baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough." And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 In a flash, the sky was filled with an enormous crowd of angels from heaven, all praising God together and saying, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace and goodwill toward people." Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 After the angels left and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "We need to go to Bethlehem right now! Let us see this amazing thing the Lord just told us about." And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds 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 They rushed off and found Mary and Joseph, with the baby lying in the feeding trough. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 Once they saw the child, they told everyone about the message they had received about him. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 Everyone who heard what the shepherds said was completely amazed. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 Mary quietly held on to all of these things, turning them over carefully in her mind. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds headed back to their fields, giving all the glory and praise to God for everything they had heard and seen. It all happened exactly like the angel told them. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Jesus Presented at the Temple
Study note
Following the Law of Moses, Jesus is circumcised on the eighth day and presented at the temple in Jerusalem. The devout Simeon, who had been promised he would see the Messiah before death, takes the infant in his arms and praises God with the Nunc Dimittis, declaring Jesus a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. He also warns Mary that a sword will pierce her soul. The elderly prophetess Anna confirms the child's identity to all who were looking for redemption.
21 Eight days later, when the time came for the baby's circumcision, they named him JESUS. That was the very name the angel had given before Mary even became pregnant. 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 The time set by Moses's law for being made clean was over. They took the baby to Jerusalem. They brought him there to present him to the Lord. 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 (following what the Lord's law says: "Every firstborn boy must be set apart as holy to the Lord"), (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 They also gave the gift the Lord's law requires. It was a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. 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 At that time in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was a good and devoted man who was eagerly waiting for God to comfort Israel. The Holy Spirit rested on him. 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 The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's promised Messiah with his own eyes. 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 Led by the Spirit, he went to the temple that day. When Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus in to do what the law required, 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 Simeon gathered the child into his arms, thanked God, and said, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 "Lord, now you can let me, your servant, go in peace, just as you promised." Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 "My own eyes have now looked upon the salvation you have provided," For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 "which you have put together for all the people of the world to see," Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 "a light that will open the eyes of the Gentiles and bring honor to your people Israel." A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 Joseph and Mary stood there in wonder at the things being said about their child. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 Simeon gave them a blessing and then told Mary, his mother, "This child has a special purpose. Because of him, many in Israel will fall and many will rise. He will be a sign that people argue about." 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 "(And the pain of it will cut through your own heart like a sword.) All of this will bring to light what many people are truly thinking deep inside." (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 There was also a woman prophet named Anna. She was the daughter of Phanuel and belonged to the tribe of Aser. She was very old. She had been married for seven years, 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 then she was a widow for about eighty-four years. She practically lived at the temple, worshipping God with fasting and prayer around the clock. 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 She walked up at that exact moment and started thanking God. Then she began telling everyone who was hoping for the rescue of Jerusalem all about this child. 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.
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
Study note
When Jesus is twelve years old, His family travels to Jerusalem for Passover. On the return journey, His parents discover He is missing and find Him three days later in the temple, sitting among the teachers, amazing everyone with His understanding. His response -- 'Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?' -- is His first recorded words, revealing His awareness of His divine identity and mission. The chapter closes with Jesus growing in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and people.
39 When they finished doing everything the Lord's law required, they went back to Galilee. They returned to their hometown of Nazareth. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 As the child grew, he became stronger in spirit and was filled with wisdom. God's special favor was clearly on him. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Every year, his parents went to Jerusalem. They went for the Passover feast. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to the feast as they always did. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 After the celebration ended and everyone started the trip home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know. 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 They thought he was somewhere in the group of travelers. They went a whole day before looking for him among family and friends. 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 When they could not find him anywhere, they went all the way back to Jerusalem to search for him. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 Three days later, they finally found him in the temple. He was sitting with the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 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 Everyone who heard him speak was blown away by how well he understood things and by the answers he gave. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 When his parents spotted him, they could hardly believe it. His mother said, "Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I have been out of our minds with worry looking for you." 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 He replied, "Why were you searching all over for me? Did you not realize I needed to be here in my Father's house?" 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 But they did not grasp what he meant by that. And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 He went back to Nazareth with them and continued to obey them. His mother treasured all of these memories in her heart. 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 As time passed, Jesus grew wiser and taller, and he was loved more and more by both God and the people around him. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.