Luke 2

Luke 2:1

G. Birth of the Son of Man (2:1-7) 2:1-3 Caesar Augustus made a decree that all the world should be registered, that is, that a census should be taken throughout his empire. This census was first taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. For many years the accuracy of Luke’s Gospel was called into question because of this reference to Quirinius. Later archaeological discoveries, however, tend to confirm the record. From his standpoint, Caesar Augustus was demonstrating his supremacy over the Greco-Roman world. But from God’s standpoint, this Gentile emperor was merely a puppet to further the divine program (see Pro_21:1). 2:4-7 The decree of Augustus brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem at exactly the right time in order that the Messiah might be born there in fulfillment of prophecy (Mic_5:2). Bethlehem was crowded when they arrived from Galilee. The only place they could find to stay was the stable of an inn. That was an omen, a preview of how men would receive their Savior. It was while the couple from Nazareth was there that Mary brought forth her firstborn Son. Wrapping Him in swaddling cloths, she lovingly laid Him in a manger. Thus did God visit our planet in the Person of a helpless Baby, and in the poverty of an ill-smelling stable. The wonder of it! Darby expressed it nicely: He began in a manger, and ended on the cross, and along the way had not where to lay His head.

Luke 2:8

H. The Angels and the Shepherds (2:8-20) 2:8 The first intimation of this unique birth was not given to the religious leaders in Jerusalem, but to contemplative shepherds on Judean hillsides, humble men who were faithful at their regular work. James S. Stewart observes: And is there not a world of meaning in the fact that it was very ordinary people, busy about very ordinary tasks, whose eyes first saw the glory of the coming of the Lord? It means, first, that the place of duty, however humble, is the place of vision. And it means, second, that it is the men who have kept to the deep, simple pieties of life and have not lost the child heart to whom the gates of the Kingdom most readily open. 2:9-11 An angel of the Lord came to the shepherds, and a bright, glorious light shone all around them. As they recoiled in terror, the angel comforted them and broke the news. It was good tidings of great joy for all the people. That very day, in nearby Bethlehem, a Baby had been born. This Baby was a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! Here we have a theology in miniature. First, He is a Savior, which is expressed in His name, Jesus. Then He is Christ, the Anointed of God, the Messiah of Israel. Finally, He is the Lord, God manifest in the flesh. 2:12 How would the shepherds recognize Him? The angels gave them a twofold sign. First the Baby would be wrapped in swaddling cloths. They had seen babies in swaddling cloths before. But the angels had just announced that this Baby was the Lord. No one had ever seen the Lord as a little Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths. The second part of the sign was that He would be lying in a manger. It is doubtful that the shepherds had ever seen a baby in such an unlikely place. This indignity was reserved for the Lord of life and glory when He came into our world. It makes our minds dizzy to think of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe entering human history not as a conquering military hero, but as a little Babe. Yet this is the truth of the Incarnation. 2:13, 14 Suddenly heaven’s pent-up ecstasy broke forth. A multitude of the heavenly host appeared, praising God. Their song, known generally today by the title, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, catches up the full significance of the birth of the Baby. His life and ministry would bring glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth, good will toward men, or perhaps to men in whom He is well-pleased. The men in whom God is well-pleased are those who repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 2:15-19 As soon as the angels departed, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and Jesus lying in a manger. They gave a complete report of the angel’s visit, causing considerable surprise among those who had gathered in the stable. But Mary had a deeper understanding of what was going on; she treasured all these things, and knowingly pondered them in her heart. 2:20 The shepherds returned to their flocks, overjoyed at all they had heard and seen, and overflowing in their worship of God.

Luke 2:21

I. The Circumcision and Dedication of Jesus (2:21-24) At least three different rituals are described in this passage:

1. First there was the circumcision of Jesus. This took place when He was eight days old. It was a token of the covenant that God made with Abraham. On this same day, the Child was named, according to Jewish custom. The angel had previously instructed Mary and Joseph to call Him JESUS.
2. The second ceremony was concerned with the purification of Mary. It took place forty days after the birth of Jesus (see Lev_12:1-4). Ordinarily parents were supposed to bring a lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering. But in the case of the poor, they were permitted to bring a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons (Lev_12:6-8). The fact that Mary brought no lamb, but only two young pigeons is a reflection of the poverty into which Jesus was born.
3. The third ritual was the presentation of Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem. Originally, God had decreed that the firstborn sons belonged to Him; they were to form the priestly class (Exo_13:2). Later, He set aside the tribe of Levi to serve as priests (Exo_28:1-2). Then the parents were permitted to buy back or redeem their firstborn son by the payment of five shekels. This they did when they dedicated him to the Lord.

Luke 2:25

J. Simeon Lives to See the Messiah (2:25-35) 2:25, 26 Simeon was one of the godly remnant of Jews who was waiting for the coming of the Messiah. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Christ or Anointed One. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him (Psa_25:14). There is a mysterious communication of divine knowledge to those who walk in quiet, contemplative fellowship with God. 2:27, 28 It so happened that he entered the temple area on the very day that Jesus’ parents were presenting Him to God. Simeon was supernaturally instructed that this Child was the promised Messiah. Taking Jesus in his arms, he uttered the memorable song now known as The Nunc Dimittis (Now you are letting … depart). 2:29-32 The burden of the song is as follows: Lord, now You are letting me depart in peace. I have seen Your salvation in the Person of this Baby, the promised Redeemer, as You promised me. You ordained Him to provide salvation for all classes of people. He will be a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles (His First Advent) and to shine in glory on Your people Israel (His Second Advent). Simeon was prepared to die after he had met the Lord Jesus. The sting of death was gone. 2:33 Luke carefully guards the doctrine of the Virgin Birth with his precisely worded Joseph and His mother, as read by the King James tradition, following the majority of manuscripts. 2:34, 35 After this initial outburst of praise to God for the Messiah, Simeon blessed the parents, then spoke prophetically to Mary. The prophecy consisted of four parts:

1. This Child was destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel. Those who were arrogant, unrepentant, and unbelieving would fall and be punished. Those who humbled themselves, repented of their sins, and received the Lord Jesus would rise and be blessed.
2. The Child was destined … for a sign which will be spoken against. There was a special significance connected with the Person of Christ. His very presence on earth proved a tremendous rebuke to sin and unholiness, and thus brought out the bitter animosity of the human heart.
3. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also. Simeon was here predicting the grief which would flood Mary’s heart when she would witness the crucifixion of her Son (Joh_19:25).
4. . . . that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. The way in which a person reacts to the Savior is a test of his inward motives and affections. Thus Simeon’s song includes the ideas of touchstone, stumblingstone, stepping-stone, and sword.

Luke 2:36

K. The Prophetess Anna (2:36-39) 2:36, 37 Anna the prophetess, was, like Simeon, a member of the faithful remnant of Israel who was waiting for the advent of the Messiah. She was of the tribe of Asher (meaning happy, blessed), one of the ten tribes carried into captivity by the Assyrians in 721 b.c. Anna must have been over one hundred years old, having been married for seven years, then widowed for eighty-four years. As a prophetess, she undoubtedly received divine revelations and served as a mouthpiece for God. She was faithful in her attendance at public services at the temple, worshiping with fastings and supplications night and day. Her great age did not deter her from serving the Lord. 2:38 Just as Jesus was being presented to the Lord, and as Simeon was speaking to Mary, Anna came up to this little cluster of people. She gave thanks to the Lord for the promised Redeemer, then spoke about Jesus to the faithful ones in Jerusalem who were expecting redemption. 2:39 After Joseph and Mary had performed the rites of purification and dedication, they returned to Galilee, to their home town, Nazareth. Luke omits any mention of the visit of the wise men or of the flight into Egypt.

Luke 2:40

L. The Boyhood of Jesus (2:40-52) 2:40 The normal growth of the Child Jesus is set forth as follows: Physically He grew and became strong in spirit. He passed through the usual stages of physical development, learning to walk, talk, play, and work. Because of this He can sympathize with us in every stage of our growth. Mentally He was filled with wisdom. He not only learned His ABC’s, His numbers, and all the common knowledge of that day, but He grew in wisdom, that is, in the practical application of this knowledge to the problems of life. Spiritually the favor of God was upon Him. He walked in fellowship with God and in dependence on the Holy Spirit. He studied the Bible, spent time in prayer, and delighted to do His Father’s will. 2:41-44 A Jewish boy becomes a son of the law at the age of twelve. When our Lord was twelve years old, His family made their annual pilgrimage up to Jerusalem for the Passover. But when they left to return to Galilee, they didn’t notice that Jesus was not in the entourage. This may seem strange to us unless we realize that the family probably traveled with a fairly large caravan. They no doubt assumed that Jesus was walking with others of His own age. Before condemning Joseph and Mary, we should remember how easy it is for us to travel a day’s journey, supposing Jesus to be in the company, when actually we have lost contact with Him through unconfessed sin in our lives. In order to re-establish contact with Him, we must go back to the place where fellowship was broken, then confess and forsake our sin. 2:45-47 Returning to Jerusalem, the distraught parents found Jesus in the temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. There is no suggestion of His acting as a precocious child, disputing with His elders. Rather He took the place of a normal child, learning in humility and quietness from His teachers. And yet in the course of the proceedings, He must have been asked some questions, because the people were astonished at His understanding and answers. 2:48 Even His parents were amazed when they found Jesus participating so intelligently in a discussion with those who were so many years older than He. Yet His mother expressed her accumulated anxiety and irritation by reproving Him. Didn’t He know that they had been worried about Him? 2:49 The Lord’s answer, His first recorded words, show that He was fully aware of His identity as the Son of God, and of His divine mission as well. Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? She said, Your father and I. He said, My Father’s business.2:50 At the time, they did not understand what He meant by His cryptic remark. It was an unusual thing for a twelve-year old Boy to say! 2:51 At any rate, they were reunited, so they could return to Nazareth. The moral excellence of Jesus is seen in the words He … was subject to them. Though Creator of the universe, yet He took His place as an obedient Child in this humble Jewish family. But all the time, His mother kept all these things in her heart. 2:52 Again we have the true humanity and normal growth of our Lord depicted:

1. His mental growthincreased in wisdom.
2. His physical growthand stature.
3. His spiritual growthin favor with God.
4. His social growthin favor with men. He was absolutely perfect in every aspect of His growth. Here Luke’s narrative skips silently over eighteen years which the Lord Jesus spent in Nazareth as the Son of a carpenter. These years teach us the importance of preparation and training, the need for patience, and the value of common work. They warn against the temptation to jump from spiritual birth to public ministry. Those who do not have a normal spiritual childhood and adolescence court disaster in their later life and testimony.