Luke 2 – Commentary

Introduction

The life of Christ is the central focus of the entire New Testament. His birth was prophesied in the Old Testament, and those that knew of his coming patiently awaited his arrival. While not much is known about the early years of his life, we do have bits and pieces scattered throughout the gospels, that give us glimpses of what Christ’s life was like prior to him starting the ministry we are mostly familiar with from the latter part of his life.

Date: c 80 – 90 AD

Writer: Luke “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14)

Composition

Luke 2 is broken down into two main parts. Verses 1 – 39 offer a summarized look at the birth of Christ and those that awaited his coming. The first 39 verses of the chapter only cover the first 8 days of Christ’s life, but a lot of important events take place in that short timeframe. Verses 40 – 52 contain the only Biblical account of pre-teen Christ, which is completely left out of Matthew, Mark, and John. Because the story of Christ’s youth doesn’t seem to be common knowledge, it is likely that Luke interviewed Mary, Joseph, or someone close enough to have known the story. The chapter is broken down as follows:

1. The Birth of Jesus, the Christ in a manger.
2. The shepherds arrive to see, bless, and praise Jesus.
3. The Circumcision of Jesus on the 8^th day.
4. Joseph and Mary search for Jesus for 3 days.
5. Jesus is found teaching in the temple at 12 years old.

Viewpoints

Throughout the chapter, Luke focuses on people, places, and events that took place, in order to confirm that Christ was a real person that lived in real places and interacted with real people. The historical references to Caesar Augustus’ and others give us concrete timeframes as to when Christ lived.

Importance

Luke’s gospel is vital in our understanding of Christ’s early life, because his account is likely composed of interviews with people close to Christ, including his mother, father, and other family members.

Luke 2

¹ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

Commentary Verses 1 – 3

Some historians believe that Caesar Augustus’ decree was either the decree that took place in 8 BC or another that took place in 2 BC. Publius Sulpicius Quirinius (also known as Cyrenius) was a Roman governor in Syria that was appointed in 6 AD to carry out the census. This discrepancy in the dates has led some to conclude that the birth of Christ may have been later than traditionally believed.

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⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)

Commentary Verse 4

The genealogy of Joseph is vitally important to understanding titles used to refer to the Messiah, such as “the lion of the tribe of Judah.” As far as human authority was concerned, Christ was the biological son of Joseph, and therefore considered to be from the tribe of Judah.

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⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ 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.

Commentary Verses 5 – 7

Joseph and Mary were engaged and not yet married according to verse 5. Mary was likely eight or nine months pregnant at the time of the taxing, but the length of time between their arrival to Bethlehem and the birth of Christ is not specified. Christ being placed in a manger is the sign the angel tells the shepherds to look for to identify the Messiah in verse 8.

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⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Commentary Verse 8

There are several beliefs as to who these shepherds were. Some believe that they were Israelite shepherds that were expecting the Messiah, some believe that they were Persian Magi awaiting the Messiah, and some believe they were kings from the east already on their way to visit the Messiah.

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⁹ 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 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Commentary Verses 9 – 12

There is some debate whether “the angel of the Lord” is the same angel we see in the Old Testament, who often speaks as The Most High, or if was Gabriel, whom we see in Luke 1:19 & 26.

The Most High could have chosen for the Messiah to be born into luxury, but instead he chose the most humble of accommodations. The shepherds were told that they could find the savior of the world lying in a manger: a trough made for animals to feed from.

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¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

¹⁵ 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 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Commentary Verses 13 – 16

The shepherds were blessed with the opportunity to see a multitude of angels praising and singing to The Most High, in recognition of the birth of the Messiah. The only other New Testament reference to a human seeing angels and the hosts of heaven praising The Most High, is found throughout the book of Revelation, which is witnessed by John.

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¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Commentary Verses 17 – 20

According to verse 17, the shepherds were the first evangelists to share the gospel of Christ. The news of the Messiah’s birth no doubt confused some people and may have included Mary. The circumstances surrounding the birth of Christ were not normal, so it makes sense that Mary of all people would have questions, concerns, fears, and more, but she didn’t say a word to anyone about it. This is the second time we are told that Mary kept her thoughts about the situation to herself.

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²¹ 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.

Commentary Verse 21

In Genesis 17:10-12, The Most High established the covenant of circumcision with Abraham. On the eighth day, all males were required to be circumcised. In Luke 1:31, the angel Gabriel told Mary to name the child Jesus. The virgin birth and the naming of Christ were both prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, but some believe that references to a virgin birth goes as far back as Genesis 3:15 and its mention of the woman’s “seed”. Many scholars rightfully point out that the Bible always presents the man as having the seed, except in Genesis 3:15, leading some to associate it with the virgin birth of Christ.

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²² 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 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

²⁴ 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.

Commentary Verses 22 – 24

The Mosaic Law for purification after childbirth can be found in Leviticus 12. After giving birth, the mother was considered “unclean” for seven days. Sacrifices would be made of either a lamb or turtledoves, depending on the woman’s financial situation. On the eighth day, a son would be circumcised, in order to fulfill Mosaic Law.

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²⁵ 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.

Commentary Verse 25

Luke is the only gospel writer to mention Simeon. According to Luke, he blessed Christ after his circumcision (Luke 2:27-35), he was at the church in Antioch when Paul and Baranabas were called to ministry (Acts 13: 12), and he was the one that declared The Most High had visited the Gentiles (Acts 15:14). Some scholars believe that Luke may have been referring to two different men named Simeon, and others believe it is the same man in all stories.

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²⁶ 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 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 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

²⁹ Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

³⁰ For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

³¹ Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

³² A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

³³ And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

Commentary Verses 26 – 33

After the shepherds came praising The Most High for the newborn child, Joseph and Mary met Simeon, who also praised The Most High for being able to see the savior of the world before his death. This reference to Simeon seeing Christ before his death, leads some to believe he is not the same Simeon we see in the book of Acts.

The announcement of Christ’s birth by the angel Gabriel, and the fanfare made by the shepherds and Simeon may have weighed heavy on Mary and Joseph, but there is no mention of them sharing their thoughts on what was happening.

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³⁴ 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 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Commentary Verses 34 – 35

After blessing Joseph and Mary, Simeon told them the destiny of Christ to save the nation of Israel, but he will not do so without opposition. Unless Joseph and Mary were familiar with scripture or it was revealed to them at some point, they may not have fully understood the responsibility and importance of Christ’s birth in the grand plan for the salvation of mankind.

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³⁶ 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 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.

Commentary Verses 36 – 37

Anna is the only woman identified as a prophetess of The Most High in the New Testament. Jezebel called herself a prophetess (Revelation 2:20), but the text is clear that she was not a prophetess of The Most High.

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³⁸ 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.

³⁹ And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

Commentary Verses 38 – 39

After thanking The Most High, Anna becomes an evangelist in similar fashion to the shepherds and begins telling everyone in Jerusalem about the birth of the Messiah. The news of Christ’s birth was first announced by an angel and then spread by people. Likewise, the resurrection of Christ was first announced by an angel and then spread by people (Matthew 28:1-7). The pattern of The Most High revealing what he is going to do before he does it, is a pattern carried over from the Old Testament into the New Testament (Amos 3:7).

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⁴⁰ And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

⁴¹ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

Commentary Verses 40 – 42

Luke is the only gospel that contains the story of twelve year old Christ traveling to Jerusalem with his family for Passover. Not only do they visit when he was twelve, but we learn that the trip was a yearly tradition for his family in verse 41. Nazareth is located about 67 – 91 miles from Jerusalem, which takes several days on foot.

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⁴³ 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 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 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

Commentary Verses 43 – 45

After Passover was complete, Mary, Joseph, family, and friends began the journey back to Nazareth, but Christ stayed behind. We learn that the caravan to Jerusalem included family and friends in verse 44, but we are not given any names. When his parents realized Christ was not with the caravan, they traveled back to Jerusalem to find him.

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⁴⁶ 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 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Commentary Verses 46 – 47

It took Joseph and Mary three days to find Christ in Jerusalem. It was likely still booming with visitors from Passover and there was no way to show anyone a picture of what he looked like. They were essentially looking for a twelve year old boy, who probably looked a lot like every other twelve year old boy, in a major city.

After three days of searching, Christ’s parents find him listing and asking questions of the teachers in the temple. Not only did Christ listen to the teachers, but according to verse 47, everyone was “astonished at his understanding and answers.”

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⁴⁸ 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 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 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

Commentary Verses 48 – 50

Its easy to imagine the stress and despair of losing a child on a trip to another city, but its difficult to imagine that child also being the son of The Most High and savior of the world.

Luke is careful to tell us that Mary told 12 year old Christ, “behold they father and I have sought thee sorrowing”, to which Christ responds with, “wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” This brief exchange of words indicates that Joseph and Mary may not have had the conversation with Christ about who his real father was, but Christ made it clear that he was handling his real father’s business and his mother and stepfather should have known that already.

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⁵¹ 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 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Commentary Verses 51 – 52

This is the third time that we are told Mary kept her thoughts to herself. Luke believed this was significant enough to mention three times, but we are never given any insight as to what her thoughts were. Even though we don’t know what Mary was thinking, it’s not hard to reach the conclusion that Mary was concerned for her son, just like any good mother would be. No one had ever given birth to the Messiah before and there was no instruction manual written on how to raise the son of The Most High and savior of the world.