Luke 2

• Caesar Augustus was also called Octavian. He ruled the Roman Empire from 27 BC to AD 14. Before his rule, Rome was a republic governed by the Senate. The Senate gave Augustus supreme power, and Rome became an empire. Augustus protected the empire’s borders and began the Pax Romana (“Roman Peace”). This was a long period of peace and success around the Mediterranean Sea.

• A census was an official count of the people. Rome used a census to register people for taxes.

After describing the birth of John, Luke gives a similar account of the birth of Jesus. Luke emphasizes the lowliness (very humble condition) of the birth of Jesus. Although Jesus was the Messiah (God’s chosen king and deliverer), he entered the world in humble circumstances.

Quirinius was governor of Syria: He held this position from AD 6 to AD 9. Earlier, from 6 to 4 BC, he also had authority in Judea, perhaps through a form of joint rule. He may have begun the census (an official count of people for taxes).

Historical records mention three other censuses at that time in Syria, Gaul, and Spain. It would not be unusual to have one in Judea, even though no non-biblical record mentions it.

Jesus was born around 6 to 4 BC, before the death of Herod the Great in 4 BC (see Matthew 2:1–19).

Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, he returned to David’s hometown of Bethlehem (1 Samuel 17:12, 58; 20:6). Bethlehem is a small village in Judea, eight kilometers (five miles) south of Jerusalem. The prophet Micah foretold that the Christ (the Messiah, God’s chosen king) would be born there (Micah 5:2).

Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage: See study note on 1:27.

• wrapped Him in swaddling cloths: This was a common way to show motherly love and care (see Ezekiel 16:4).

• a manger: This was a feeding container for animals.

• there was no room for them in the inn: The word translated as inn does not refer to a commercial inn (a place where travelers pay to stay). Such inns were likely not found in a small town like Bethlehem. It more likely refers to a guest room in a private home or a simple shelter for travelers. Since there was no usual place to stay, Joseph and Mary went to an area where animals were kept.

• Shepherds were sometimes described in Judaism as wandering people and even as dishonest troublemakers. However, this view was not the same everywhere. In the Old Testament, shepherds are often seen in a positive way (for example, Psalm 23:1). Jesus came to people like these, who were ordinary, poor, and humble.

• residing in the fields: This detail suggests a warmer time of year, perhaps from March to November, although some shepherds stayed outside all year. We do not know the exact month Jesus was born.

• They guarded their flocks against thieves and wild animals.

• terrified: Like Zechariah and Mary, the angel's presence was both glorious and frightening. The angel told the shepherds, "Do not be afraid!" (compare 1:11–13, 28–30).

• I bring you good news: This Greek verb (euangelizō, meaning “to bring good news”) comes from the same root as the word euangelion (“good news” or “gospel”). In the Berean Standard Bible, euangelion is often translated as “gospel” (for example, Galatians 2:5, 7, 14). Isaiah’s prophecies describe God’s salvation as "good tidings" or "good news" (see, for example, Isaiah 52:7; 61:1).

• for all the people: In Luke’s writings, the people (a singular term in Greek) always refers to the people of Israel. The shepherds were told that Israel’s salvation had arrived. It would eventually go to all nations.

The word "Messiah" means "Anointed One." It comes from the Hebrew word mashiakh and is translated into Greek as Christos. The Messiah refers to the promised savior who would come from King David's family line (see study note on 1:32–33). As the apostles started preaching the good news about Jesus to the non-Jewish world, Christians started using Christos more as a name than a title.

a sign: Shepherds would notice the contrast between the baby’s security and his lowly circumstances. He was wrapped in strips of cloth, but he was lying in a manger, an animal feeding box. This was unusual and showed that God was at work.

the heavenly host: These armies from heaven show God's ultimate power and authority (2 Kings 6:17; Psalm 148:2). LORD of Hosts is a common Old Testament name for God (for example, 1 Samuel 1:11; 17:45; 2 Samuel 7:8; Isaiah 5:16; Romans 9:29; James 5:4).

• Glory to God in the highest: This short hymn is known as the Gloria in excelsis Deo from the Latin translation of the first line. The Messiah’s coming brings glory to God in the heavens and peace to humans on earth.

• peace to men on whom His favor rests: Peace means "complete well-being," not just the absence of hostility. The traditional translation, “on earth peace, good will toward men” in the King James Version, is based on the reading of some late manuscripts. The Berean Standard Bible text follows other early versions. Peace comes to those who receive God's grace.

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart: Mary kept these things in her heart. This may mean she thought deeply about what had happened and wondered what the future of Jesus would be. It may also mean that Luke learned about these events from Mary herself.

glorifying and praising God: These are major themes throughout Luke’s Gospel (for example, 1:64; 2:13, 28; 5:25–26; 7:16; 13:13; 17:15, 18; 18:43; 19:37; 23:47; 24:53).

eight days before His circumcision had passed: See study note on 1:59.

• the time of purification: The law of Moses required women to complete a 40-day ceremony of purification after giving birth (Leviticus 12). After this period, they would offer the sacrifice commanded by the law (Luke 2:24).

• to present Him to the Lord: Every person or thing born first belonged to the Lord, so the Israelites would present (or consecrate) them to God. Humans were bought back with a redemption price (see Exodus 13:1–2, 15; 34:19–20; Numbers 3:11–13; 18:15–16; Nehemiah 10:35–36).

A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons: This quote from Leviticus 12:8 refers to the ceremony to make a woman ceremonially pure after giving birth to a child. Joseph and Mary offered the sacrifice prescribed for the poor.

• Simeon … was righteous and devout: This is like Zechariah and Elizabeth (1:6). They represent the faithful people of Israel who were waiting for God's salvation (Isaiah 10:20–22). Some think Simeon was a priest, but the text only says he was a devout man in Jerusalem.

• He was waiting for the consolation of Israel: This refers to Isaiah 40:1, which promised "comfort" to Israel after returning from exile in Babylon.

• the Holy Spirit was upon him: See study note on Luke 1:41.

the Lord's Christ (or the Lord's Anointed): This title was first used for kings like David. It later came to refer to the Christ or Messiah (God’s chosen king and deliverer), who would come from David’s family line.

into the temple courts: This refers to the temple complex, not the sanctuary. See study note on 1:8–9.

This third great hymn of the birth narrative is called the Nunc dimittis (“now dismiss”), from the first words of the Latin translation. The hymn praises God for allowing Simeon to see God’s salvation.

my eyes have seen Your salvation: This phrase echoes Isaiah 52:12. The wording is similar and recalls the language of that passage.

The plural form of people means all peoples (see study note on 2:9–10). It includes both Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles are people who are not part of the Jewish people.

• The prophet Isaiah predicted that the kingdom of God would bring salvation to all the nations (Isaiah 42:6–7; 49:6).

• the glory of your people Israel: This quote from Isaiah 46:13 says that God’s salvation will bring glory to Israel. Israel’s role in the Old Testament was to bring glory to God by revealing God’s light to the nations.

• to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel: Many Israelites did not accept Jesus as the Christ (see Isaiah 8:14–15).

• a sign: See Luke 11:29–30; compare Isaiah 8:18.

• The thoughts of many hearts: Israel's true inner response to God would be made known through how they respond to Jesus.

• a sword will pierce your soul as well: Mary would experience great pain watching her son suffer and die on the cross.

• Anna is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Hannah, Samuel’s mother (1 Samuel 1–2). Jewish tradition recognizes seven Old Testament women as prophets:

  • Sarah,

  • Miriam,

  • Deborah,

  • Hannah,

  • Abigail,

  • Huldah, and

  • Esther.

  In this story, Anna was also a prophetic witness to the identity of Jesus as the Christ.

• the tribe of Asher: This was one of the 10 northern tribes of Israel. Asher was the eighth son of the patriarch Jacob (Genesis 30:12–13). Most of the Israelites who returned from exile in Babylon were from the tribe of Judah. Other Israelites also knew the family line of their tribe during the time of Jesus. For example, the apostle Paul was "of the tribe of Benjamin" (Philippians 3:5).

• was a widow to the age of eighty-four: In the ancient world, people associated old age with wisdom and honor.

• She never left the temple: This is likely an intentional extreme statement (an exaggeration). It is the same as saying something like, “She was there all the time.” This statement shows her total commitment to God.

He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him (compare 1:80; 2:52): The two statements about the wisdom of Jesus (2:40, 52) emphasize the story of his unusual wisdom at a young age.

The Jewish Passover feast celebrates God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It was one of three major annual feasts required for Jewish men to attend (Exodus 23:14–17; Deuteronomy 16:16). The family of Jesus faithfully followed God’s law and practiced their faith.

Jesus visiting Jerusalem at age 12 is the only story from his childhood in the gospels. The main theme is his early spiritual insight. This includes how he is increasingly aware of his special relationship with God and his unique mission.

He was twelve years old: A Jewish boy took on his covenant responsibilities (duties in God’s agreement with his people) at about age 13. The bar mitzvah (a later ceremony marking this stage) developed afterward to express this custom.

By bringing Jesus to Jerusalem at this time, his parents were preparing him to take his place in the covenant community.

Assuming He was in their company: Joseph and Mary were probably traveling with a large caravan of relatives and friends from Galilee. Jesus probably spent a lot of time with his friends and relatives, so his parents were not worried at first.

The three days likely included one day traveling from Jerusalem, one day traveling back, and one day searching.

• in the temple courts: He was in the temple complex, not the sanctuary.

• listening to them and asking them questions: Jesus was acting like a student. In rabbinic teaching (the teaching methods of Jewish teachers), a teacher often answered a student’s question by asking more questions. Jesus asked wise questions and gave wise answers, and this amazed the teachers.

astounded at His understanding and His answers: Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 11:2.

Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?: Jesus knew his most important relationship was with his Father in heaven.

Although Jesus recognized his relationship to his heavenly Father, he was obedient to his earthly parents.