Luke 2

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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.
2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
2:4 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:)
2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
2:7 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.
2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
2:9 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.
2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
2:15 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.
2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
2:21 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.
2:22 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;
2:23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
2:24 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.
2:25 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.
2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
2:27 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,
2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
2:33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
2:34 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;
2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
2:36 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;
2:37 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.
2:38 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.
2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
2:43 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.
2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
2:46 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.
2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
2:48 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.
2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
2:51 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.
2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
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Everything King James Bible:Luke

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Luke
Book: Luke
Chapter: 2

Overview:
The Birth of Christ. (1-7) It is made known to the shepherds.
(8-20) Christ presented in the Temple. (21-24) Simeon prophesies
concerning Jesus. (25-35) Anna prophesies concerning him.
(36-40) Christ with the learned men in the Temple. (41-52)

1-7 The Fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth
his Son, made of a Woman, and made under the Law. The
circumstances of his Birth were very mean. Christ was born at an
Inn; he came into the world to sojourn here for awhile, as at an
Inn, and to teach us to do likewise. We are become By Sin like
an outcast infant, helpless and forlorn; and such a one was
Christ. He Well knew how unwilling we are to be meanly lodged,
clothed, or fed; how we desire to have our children decorated
and indulged; how apt the Poor are to envy the rich, and how
prone the rich to disdain the Poor. But when we By Faith view
the Son of God being made Man and lying in a Manger, our vanity,
ambition, and envy are checked. We cannot, with this object
rightly before us, seek great things for ourselves or our
children.

8-20 Angels were heralds of the new-born Saviour, but they were
only sent to some Poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds,
who were in the business of their Calling, keeping watch over
their flock. We are not out of the way of Divine visits, when we
are employed in an honest Calling, and abide with God in it. Let
God have the honour of this work; Glory to God in the highest.
God's good-will to men, manifested in sending the Messiah,
redounds to his praise. Other Works of God are for his Glory,
but the Redemption of the world is for his Glory in the highest.
God's goodwill in sending the Messiah, brought peace into this
lower world. Peace is here Put for all that good which flows to
us from Christ's taking our nature upon him. This is a Faithful
saying, attested By an innumerable company of angels, and Well
worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men,
is Glory to God in the highest, and peace On the Earth. The
shepherds lost No time, but came with haste to the place. They
were satisfied, and made known abroad concerning this Child,
that he was the Saviour, even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully
observed and thought upon all these things, which were So suited
to enliven her holy affections. We should be more delivered from
errors in Judgment and practice, did we more fully ponder these
things in our hearts. It is still proclaimed in our ears that to
us is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord. These should be glad
tidings to all.

21-24 Our Lord Jesus was not born in Sin, and did not need that
mortification of a corrupt nature, or that renewal unto
Holiness, which were signified By Circumcision. This ordinance
was, in his case, a Pledge of his future perfect obedience to
the whole Law, in the midst of sufferings and temptations, even
unto Death for us. At the End of forty days, Mary went up to the
Temple to offer the appointed sacrifices for her Purification.
Joseph also presented the holy Child Jesus, because, as a
First-born son, he was to be presented to the Lord, and redeemed
according to the Law. Let us present our children to the Lord
who gave them to us, beseeching him to redeem them from Sin and
Death, and make them holy to himself.

25-35 The same Spirit that provided for the support of Simeon's
Hope, provided for his joy. Those who would see Christ must go
to his Temple. Here is a Confession of his Faith, that this
Child in his arms was the Saviour, the Salvation itself, the
Salvation of God's appointing. He bids farewell to this world.
How Poor does this world look to one that has Christ in his
arms, and Salvation in his view! See here, how comfortable is
the Death of a good Man; he departs in peace with God, peace
with his own Conscience, in peace with Death. Those that have
welcomed Christ, may welcome Death. Joseph and Mary marvelled at
the things which were spoken of this Child. Simeon shows them
likewise, what reason they had to rejoice with trembling. And
Jesus, his doctrine, and people, are still spoken against; his
Truth and Holiness are still denied and blasphemed; his preached
Word is still the touchstone of men's characters. The secret
good affections in the minds of some, will be revealed By their
embracing Christ; the secret corruptions of others will be
revealed By their Enmity to Christ. Men will be judged By the
thoughts of their hearts concerning Christ. He shall be a
suffering Jesus; his mother shall suffer with him, because of
the nearness of her relation and Affection.

36-40 There was much evil then in the Church, yet God left not
himself without Witness. Anna always dwelt in, or at least
attended at, the Temple. She was always in a praying Spirit;
gave herself to Prayer, and in all things she served God. Those
to whom Christ is made known, have great reason to thank the
Lord. She taught others concerning him. Let the Example of the
venerable saints, Simeon and Anna, give courage to those whose
hoary heads are, like theirs, a Crown of Glory, being found in
the way of Righteousness. The lips soon to be silent in the
Grave, should be showing forth the praises of the Redeemer. In
all things it became Christ to be made like unto his brethren,
therefore he passed through infancy and childhood as other
children, yet without Sin, and with manifest proofs of the
Divine nature in him. By the Spirit of God all his faculties
performed their offices in a manner not seen in any one else.
Other children have foolishness bound in their hearts, which
appears in what they say or do, but he was filled with Wisdom,
By the influence of the Holy Ghost; every thing he said and did,
was wisely said and wisely done, above his years. Other children
show the corruption of their nature; nothing but the Grace of
God was upon him.

41-52 It is for the honour of Christ that children should
attend On public Worship. His parents did not return till they
had stayed all the Seven days of the Feast. It is Well to stay
to the End of an ordinance, as becomes those who say, It is good
to be here. Those that have lost their comforts in Christ, and
the evidences of their having a part in him, must bethink
themselves where, and when, and how they lost them, and must
turn back again. Those that would recover their lost
acquaintance with Christ, must go to the place in which he has
Put his name; there they may Hope to meet him. They found him in
some part of the Temple, where the doctors of the Law kept their
schools; he was Sitting there, hearkening to their instructions,
proposing questions, and answering inquiries, with such Wisdom,
that those who heard were delighted with him. Young persons
should seek the knowledge of Divine Truth, attend the ministry
of the Gospel, and ask such questions of their elders and
teachers as may tend to increase their knowledge. Those who seek
Christ in sorrow, shall find him with the greater joy. Know ye
not that I ought to be in my Father's House; at my Father's
work; I must be about my Father's business. Herein is an
Example; for it becomes the children of God, in conformity to
Christ, to attend their heavenly Father's business, and make all
other concerns give way to it. Though he was the Son of God, yet
he was subject to his earthly parents; how then will the foolish
and weak sons of men answer it, who are disobedient to their
parents? However we may neglect men's sayings, because they are
obscure, yet we must not think So of God's sayings. That which
at first is dark, may afterwards become Plain and easy. The
greatest and wisest, those most eminent, may learn of this
admirable and Divine Child, that it is the truest greatness of
soul to know our own place and office; to deny ourselves
amusements and pleasures not consistent with our state and
Calling.