Luke 2

Luke 2:1

THat all the world should be taxed] Or, enrolled. All that part of the world which was subject to the Romane Empire.

Luke 2:2

And this taxing was first made &c.] Whereby according to every mans estate hee was taxed to pay money to the Romans.

Luke 2:4

the citie of David] John 7:42. For he was of the Family of David, whose originall seat was Bethlehem, where Christ was to be born; so that here is declared the occasion of the fulfilling that prophesie, Mic. 5. 2. See 1 Samuel 16:1. Matthew 2:5.

Luke 2:7

And shee brought forth her first-born sonne] Hee is said to be the first-born, before whom was none elder by the same parents, although he be also the onely Sonne. See Matthew 1:25.

no room for them in the Inne] So great a confluence of people comming to be taxed, all the roomes of the Inne were taken up by the richer sort, save onely the stable.

Luke 2:8

watch over their flocke by night] Or, the nightwatches.

Luke 2:11

For unto you this day is born, in the citie of David] that is, Bethlehem, well known by that name.

Luke 2:12

And this shall be a sign unto you] That they might not be offended, or think themselves deluded when they should find Christ the Saviour in so poor a worldly condition, the Angel preventeth that by shewing them before-hand how they should find him.

Luke 2:14

peace] See Luke 19:38.

good will towards men] The free mercy of God towards men and love and good will of one man towards another: and at this time all the world was at peace.

Luke 2:21

And when, &c.] See Genesis 17:12. Leviticus 12:3.

Jesus] See Matthew 1:21. Luke 1:31.

Luke 2:22

her purification] Levit. 12. 5, 6.

Luke 2:23

Every male that openeth, &c.] Exodus 13:2. Numbers 18:15. Exodus 22:29.

Luke 2:24

according to that which is said] Leviticus 12:2. 6.

A paire of turtle-doves] Which offering was appointed unto them who were so poor that they were not able to offer a Lamb or sheep, Levit 5. 7.

Luke 2:25

was just and devout] One that feared God and looked for the comming of the Messias. See vers. 38. Marke 15. 43.

holy Ghost was upon him] The spirit of prophecie.

Luke 2:26

not see death] That he should not dye before he had seen Christ the anointed King, Priest, and Prophet, come in the flesh. See Psalms 2:6. Isaiah 61:1. Daniel 9:24.

Luke 2:27

came by the spirit] By the secret motion of the holy Ghost.

when the parents brought in the child Jesus] That is, Joseph the reputed father of Jesus. See Hebrews 7:3.

Luke 2:29

Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace] Now that thou hast shewed me the fulfilling of thy promise concerning the Messias, whom thou hast appointed to work mans salvation, Isaiah 49:6. Hebrews 2:10. & Hebrews 5:9. I willingly and cheerfully leave this present life.

Luke 2:30

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation] Psalms 98:2. Isai. 52. 10 Hee did before see Christ with the eye of faith, as Abraham did, and rejoyced; but now he saw with his bodily eyes, that fulfilled which before was expected.

Luke 2:31

before the face of all people] As that which thou wilt make manifest to all nations.

Luke 2:32

A light to lighten the Gentiles] Isaiah 42:6. Isaiah 49:6.

Luke 2:34

fall and rising again] Isaiah 8:14. Romans 9. 32. Matthew 21:44. 1 Pet. 2. 7. For the fall of reprobates and unbeleevers, and for the raising up and salvation of the elect who beleeve.

be spoken against] By unbeleevers.

Luke 2:35

a sword shall pierce] Bitter sorrowes shall afflict thy heart.

thoughts of many hearts, &c.] Which is done by preaching the Gospel. See 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.

Luke 2:37

departed not from the temple] She daily frequented the Temple: night and day, or continually, in such acts of Religion, import a constancie without ceasing, not without intermission. See 1 Thess. 5. 17. 1 Timothy 5:5. Luke 24:53. 1 Thess. 3. 10.

Luke 2:38

that looked for redemption] Mark 15:43. Luke 2:25.

Jerusalem] Or, Israel.

Luke 2:39

they returned into Galilee] That is, Joseph and Mary with Christ.

Luke 2:40

filled with wisdome] With an admirable wisdome, shewing it selfe in him as he grew up.

Luke 2:41

the Passeover] As was commanded, Deuteronomy 16:1. It seemeth Mary came up of her owne free devotion, as did also Hanna, 1 Samuel 1:2. 3. 7.

Luke 2:43

fulfilled the dayes] The dayes of the Feast prescribed by the Law. Exodus 23:15.

Luke 2:46

the midst of the Doctors] With the Doctors. It is an Hebraisme, as Luke 22:27. It may be he sate at their feet, not in the chiefe seates, of which Luke 11:43.

Luke 2:48

thy father] Thy supposed father.

Luke 2:49

my Fathers businesse] Meaning, that though duty to parents must be observed, yet duty to God must be preferred. Matthew 10:37.

Luke 2:50

they understood not the saying] For his calling to the office of the Mediator and Saviour, was not yet well known to them, though the Angel had foretold it, Matth 1. 21. and Zachary had prophesied it, Luk. 1. 68, &c.

Luke 2:51

was subject unto them] From that time till he was 30. yeers old. Luke 3:23. Mark 6:3.

Luke 2:52

increased in wisdom] Because he assumed a reasonable soul as wel as an humane body, the deity united thereto was so vailed, that the graces thereof shewed themselves by little and little, according to the maturitie of the faculties of his humanity.

stature] Or, age.