Luke 2)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a edict from Caesar Augustus that all the world (i.e. the Roman Empire) should be enrolled (or, registered. Census is in the British Museum. Man's history.).
2 (And this was the first registration to be made when Cyrenius (his full name was Publius Sulpicius Quirinus) was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be registered, every one unto his own city. (The Papyrus in the British Museum, being a rescript of the Prefect Gaius Vibius Maximus [103-104 A.D.], shows that Herod must have been acting under Roman orders. Vib. Max. was Prefect of Egypt, and wrote: "The enrollment by household being at hand, it is necessary to notify all who for any cause soever are outside their homes to return to their domestic hearths, that they may accomplish the customary dispensation of enrollment, and continue steadfastly in the husbandry that belongs to them". There is a large number of Papyri relating to these enrollments)
4 And Joseph also went up (literally true, the ascent from Nazareth to Jerusalem being at least 1,500 feet) from Galilee (He had to go to Judea for enrollment), out of the city of Nazareth (= Branch-Town, where He, Yehovah's "Branch" [Zech. 3:8; 6:12], was brought up [4:16]), into Judaea, to the city of David (1 Sam. 20:6. Zion also so called, 2 Sam. 5:9; 6:10,12,16. 1 Kings 2:10,&c.), which is called Bethlehem (= house of bread. Symbolic of the bread you take for communion Cp. Gen. 35:19; 48:7. Ps. 132:6. About 5 miles south of Jerusalem. Rachel died here, and it was the birthplace of the last patriarch Benjamin, and the One and only begotten Son, the Savior of the world); (on account of his being of the house and lineage (i.e. the family.) of David:)
5 To be registered in conjunction with Mary his married wife (not merely "betrothed" [Matt. 1:20,24,25. See Matt. 1:18. Cp. Deut 22:23,24), being great with child. (cp. 1:24)
A³ X¹ 6,7. The Holy Child. Birth
Y¹ 8-20. Attestations. (Heavenly.)
X² 21-24. The Holy Child. Presentation.
Y² 25-38. Attestations. (Earthly.)
X³ 39-52. The Holy Child. Growth.
6 And it came to pass, that, in the time they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Sept. 29th 1st Day of Feast of Tabernacles 4 B.C.
7 And she brought forth her Son, the firstborn, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes (Gr. sparganoō = to swathe. A medical term = bandage. A finger print of Luke, a doctor, throughout this Book. See Col. 4:14. Angl-Saxon swathu = as much grass as is cut in one stroke of the scythe. From Low Germ. swade = a scythe. Hence a shred, or slice, then a bandage. Cp. Ezek 16:4), and laid Him in the manger (Gr. phantē [from pateomai, to eat]. French mangé); because there was no room for them in the inn. (not "guest-chamber" as in 22:11 and Mark 14:14. Jesus was born of a commoner. He was sent to the commoners, as well as the kings.)
Y¹ A 8-15. Angelic message. Given.
B 16. The Shepherds. Departure.
A 17-19. Angelic message. Reported.
B 20. The Shepherds. Return.
A C 8. The Shepherds. Watch.
D E 9. One Angel.
F 10-12. His message. News.
D E 13. The Heavenly Host.
F 14. Their Message. Praise.
C 15. The Shepherds. Resolve.
8 And there were in the same country (= region where David fed his father's sheep, when sent for by Samuel [1 Sam. 16:11,12]) shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Shepherds not out on Dec. 25th. Dead of winter. No grass. Here is proof Jesus wasn't born in December. Shepherd's are not abiding in the field in December.)
9 And, lo (to call attention to the wondrous event), an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory (i.e. the Shekinah, which symbolized the Divine presence. God was there. See Ex. 24:16. 1 Kings 8:10. Isa. 6:1-3. Acts 7:55) of the Lord shone round about them: and they feared a great fear. (See Gen. 26:28)
F y 10. The Announcement.
z 11-. The Time.
a¹ -11-. A Savior. The Gospel. A Person.
a² -11-. Christ. "
a³ -11. The Lord. "
z -11-. The Place.
y 12. The Sign.
10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not: for, behold, I evangelize (announce) to you great joy, which shall be to all people. (He was sent to all people, both Israel and gentile. This was a witness. He was preaching to them - Salvation.)
11 That (meaning "born today"; not "I announce today". See 23:43) unto you was born (or brought forth) this day
in the city of David
a Savior, (Not a helper: for a Savior is for the lost)
which is Christ (Messiah)
the Lord. (Yahaveh, i.e. Yahaveh's Anointed. Therefore able to save. Cp. Rom. 14:9. 1 Cor. 8:6; 12:3. 2 Cor. 4:5. Phil. 2:11. These 3 words Yahaveh's Savior, the Anointed One, define and contain the "Gospel" as being good news as to a Person; and as being Christianity as distinct from Religion, which consists of Articles, Creeds, Doctrines, and Confessions; i.e. all that is outward. Cp. Phil. 3:4-7,9,10,20,21. Note that the Gr. words, "in the city of David", come last)
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the host (Our Father has emotion. Cp. Dan. 8:10. Rom. 9:29. Jas. 5:4. Rev. 5:11,12) of heaven praising God, and saying, (How was the heavenly host praising God? What were they saying of Him?)
F G b 14-. Glory.
c -14-. Sphere: "in the Highest".
H -14-. To God.
G c -14-. Sphere: "on Earth".
b -14-. Peace.
H -14. [From God] among [favored] men.
14 "Glory [be] (cp.9:36)
to God
in the highest, (The heavenly host was glorifying God the Most High. There is none higher, friend. The Most High is your Father. Don't ever allow anyone, including Satan himself, to take that away from you.)
and on earth
peace (but man murdered "the Prince of peace", and now vainly talk about peace), good will among men." (text reads "among men of good pleasure" the "good pleasure" is that of Yahaveh alone = among men of [His] good pleasure: see 12:31, "It is your Father's good pleasure, to give you the kingdom". But it was man's bad pleasure to reject the kingdom. The promise is true. It's open to everyone, but there are conditions, belief!)
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into the heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "[Come now], let us go through even as far as Bethlehem, and see this word which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." (i.e. the saying of v.12)
16 And they came with haste, and discovered (after search, or in succession) the Mary, and the Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (This proves His Word is true)
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 concerning those things which were told to them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept within herself all these things, and pondering them in her heart. (i.e. weighing them. See v.51. Cp. Gen. 37:11)
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God on all the things that they had heard and seen (1st hand experience), according as it was told to them.
21 And when eight days were fulfilled (i.e. on the last and great day of the Feast of Tabernacles [John 7:37]), then they circumcised Him and called His name (Only 4 named before birth: Ishmael, Isaac, John, and the Lord) JESUS (Gabriel naming this Child Yahshua. see Matt. 1:21), which was so named by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days (i.e. 40 days after the birth of a son[80 after a daughter]. See Lev. 12:2-4) of their (i.e. Joseph and Mary) purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished (See Ex. 13:12; 22:29; 34:19. Num. 3:12,13; 18:15. See Gal. 4:4), they brought Him up to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord; (Ex. 13:2. Num. 18:15,16)
23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) (Quoted from Ex. 13:2. Num. 18:15)
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. (Lev. 12:2,6. See Heb. 10. He became these sacrifices)
Y² I 25-27. Simeon.
J 28-35. His testimony.
I 36,37. Anna.
J 38. Her testimony.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon (= hearing. Cp. Gen. 29:33. Possibly the father of Gamaliel [Acts 5:24]); and the same man was just and devout (Gr. eulabēsused only by Luke = taking hold of well; i.e. careful and circumspect in observing the Law. Cp. Acts 2:5; 8:2. The kindred word eulabeia, rendered "godly fear", occ. twice [Heb. 5:7; 12:28]), waiting for (cp. Gen. 49:18. Isa. 49:23. Joseph of Arimathea was another who thus waited. Mark 15:43. Cp. v.38; 3:13; 24:21) the consolation of Israel (cp. Acts 28:20 and Isa. 40:1. "May I see the consolation of Israel!": was a Jewish formula of blessing; and an adjuration also: "May I not see it, if I speak not the truth!"): and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (= a spiritual gift)
26 And it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (Yehovah's Anointed)
27 And he came in the Spirit (the Holy Spirit Himself) into the Temple courts (see Matt. 4:5; 23:16): and when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do concerning Him according to the custom of the law,
28 Then received he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 "Mater (Gr. Despotēs. Occurs 10 times . N.T.), now let You Your servant depart in peace, according to Your saying: (Go free)
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, (Gr. to sōtērion, used of Yahaveh Himself [not merely of salvation as such]. See Isa. 62:11. Cp. Luke 3:6)
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 A light for a revelation of the Gentiles, (Gr. apokalupsis = a revelation by unveiling and manifesting to view. The 1st of 18 occ. Quoted from Isa. 42:6. Cp. Ps. 98:2,3. Isa. 49:6; 52:10&c. "Gentiles" see Isa. 25:7) and the glory of Your people Israel."
33 And Joseph [his father] and his mother were marveling at those things which were spoken concerning Him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall (i.e. stumbling-block. See Isa. 8:14, and cp. Matt. 21:42,44. Acts 4:11. Rom. 9:33. 1 Cor. 1:23) and rising (Matt. 11:5) of many in Israel (Debated even to this day); and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (See Acts 28:22. Not a prophecy, but describing its character. Christ is the Chief Cornerstone)
35 (And thee, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also) (when on the Cross), that the reasonings (cp. 5:22. Matt. 15:18. John 9:15. 1 Cor. 11:19. 1 John 2:19) of many hearts may be unveiled.
36 And there was one Anna (Heb. Hannah, as in 1 Sam. 1:20 = He was gracious), a prophetess (a teacher, preacher. Only here and Rev. 2:20), the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (thus Anna of Israel united with Simeon of Judah): she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; (Husband died 7 years after marriage)
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served (or worshiped) God with fastings and prayers night and day. (Faithful)
38 And she standing by at the same time (or hour) gave praise likewise to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all them that waited for redemption (see v.24; 24:21. Mark 15:43) in Jerusalem. (This woman was the 1st one in Jerusalem that preached Jesus)
X³ K d 39. Return to Galilee.
e 40. The Lord. Growth.
L 41-50. The Feast of the Passover.
K d 51. Return to Nazareth.
e 52. The Lord. Increase.
39 And when they had ended all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (See Matt. 2:23. The census was over, they could return)
40 And the Child grew, and waxed strong in spirit (Matt. 2 comes in here), filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him. (Because He was the Living Word. Cp. John 1:14. Isa. 11:2,3)
L M P 41,42. Parents at Jerusalem.
Q 43. The Child. Tarrying behind.
R 44-46-. Parents search.
N -46. The Child. Employment.
O 47. Effect. Astonishment.
M P 48-. Parents at Jerusalem.
Q -48-. The Child. Questioned.
R -48,49-. Parents. Search.
N -49. The Child. Employment.
O 50. Effect. Unintelligent.
41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. (April 3rd every year)
8 A.D.
42 And when he was twelve years old (one become "a son of the law", if they performed "all things" acc. to the Law, Joseph had paid the 5 shekels redemption money [Num. 3:47; 18:16], which gave Joseph the legal right to be reckoned the "father", claiming the obedience shown in v.51. See v.48, and 3:23, which thus explain the genealogy there), they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, in their returning, the Child (= the youth as becoming Yehovah's servant) Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother did not get to know of it. (He was never any trouble)
R S f 44-. Journey from Jerusalem.
g -44. Search.
T 45-. Unsuccessful.
S f -45-. Journey back to Jerusalem.
g -45,46-. Search.
T -46-. Successful.
44 But they, surely reckoning Him to have been in the company, (i.e. the caravan)
went a day's journey (probably to Beerōth, about 6 miles north of Jerusalem); and they searched up and down Him among their kinsfolk and among acquaintance.
45 And when they found Him not,
they turned back again to Jerusalem,
searching [all the way back] for Him.
46 And it came to pass, that with three days [searching]
they found Him in the temple,
sitting (this was strictly according to rule) in the midst of the teachers (i.e, Rabbis [the good ones]), both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and His mother said to Him,
"Son (Gr. teknon = child), why have You thus dealt with us?
behold, Your father (this was legally correct on the part of Mary. But not truly so; therefor the Lord's correction, "My Father's business", v.49) and I have sought Your sorrowing." (She was worried, concerned)
49 And He said to them, "How is it that you sought Me? (He was home.)
knew you not that I must (these are the 1st recorded words of the Lord. The reference is to Ps. 40:5-11. John 4:34. Hence the Divine necessity. Cp. Matt. 16:21; 26:54. Mark 8:31. Luke 4:43; 9:22; 24:7,26,46. John 3:14; 4:4; 12:34,&c. The last recorded words as the Son of man were, "It is finished": i.e. the Father's business which He came to be about. Compare His 1st and last ministerial or official words. See Matt. 4:4, "It is written".) be about My Father's business?" (House. His house is where 2 or more are gathered. They couldn't see though it.)
50 And they understood not the saying which He spoke to them. (Cp. 9:45; 18:34. Mark 9:32. John 1:10,11; 10:6)
51 And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them (see v.42): but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart. (That's what mothers do, they overlook the bad)
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature (maturity in all respects), and in favor from beside God and men.