Luke 2
Jesus’ Birth, Circumcision, and Childhood
Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth is one of the most well known and beloved sections of all scripture. Similar to chapter 1, he carefully recorded details not included in the other gospel records. Many scholars believe that much of this information came from Mary, or someone close to her, with firsthand knowledge of Jesus’ childhood.
This section contains material unique in Luke. The only repeated statement occurs in Luke 2:39 and Matthew 2:23. Other unique features are the way Luke alternated the reader’s attention between John and Jesus, and the joy that several individuals expressed. - Thomas Constable
The Birth of Jesus
Registration
Vs. 1 - In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered.
When the government issued an order that all people were to return to their ancestral town for a census (probably for taxation purposes), Joseph and Mary made the journey to Bethlehem. - Don Fleming
"Those days" refer to the time of John’s birth (Luke 1:57-79). Augustus was Caesar from 44 B.C. to A.D. 14. The purpose of a Roman census was to provide statistical data so the government could levy taxes. - Thomas Constable
Bethlehem
Vs. 4 - Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem
“His own town” refers not to where Joseph presently lived but to the town of his ancestral roots, Bethlehem in Judea, which was called the City of David because King David grew up there (1 Samuel 16:1). - A. Boyd Luter
We are not told if Joseph and Mary considered the providential timing of this census or if they connected the birth of their Son to Micah’s Messianic prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem.
Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.
Manger
Vs. 7 - Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Traditionally Christians have believed that the manger or feeding trough in which Mary laid the baby Jesus was in a cave. However most homes in Israel had two parts, one for the family and another for the household animals. It is possible that this was the location of the manger. An inn (Gr. katalyma) could have been a guest room in a house (Luke 22:11-12) or any place of lodging. This Greek word has a wider range of meanings than “pandocheion,” which refers specifically to an inn for travelers (Luke 10:34).
The innkeeper has become a villain figure in the Christmas story, but Luke did not present him as such. The writer’s contrast was between the royal birthplace that this Son of David deserved and the humble one He received. His exclusion from human society anticipated the rejection that He would continue to experience throughout His ministry. - Thomas Constable
In A.D. 150, Justin Martyr said that the place Jesus was born was a cave in Bethlehem. Later (330), under Constantine the Great, a church was built over the cave, which many believe is still the most probable place where Jesus was born. - David Guzik
This was a revolting sight, and was sufficient of itself to produce an aversion to Christ. For what could be more improbable than to believe that he was the King of the whole people, who was deemed unworthy to be ranked with the lowest of the multitude? - Calvin
The Shepherds Visit
An Angel of The Lord
Vs. 9 - Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
We are not given the name of this angel, but Luke noted again that the consistent human response to encountering an angel was terror. Luke also offered no speculation as to why the first people to hear of Jesus’ birth were random shepherds just outside of the city.
Messiah
Vs. 11 - Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
The angel left no doubt as to the Messianic identity of the young babe in the feeding trough. But it must have seemed bizarre to these shepherds that the Hope of Israel had come so humbly as a helpless baby.
All Who Heard It
Vs. 17 - After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Shepherds were socially looked down upon in Jesus’ day. Their work made them ceremonially unclean, and they had a reputation for being untrustworthy. [Note: Liefeld, p. 845.] Thus God first sent the gospel to the lowly. Luke had a special interest in the lower elements of society. Consequently these shepherds represent all people of lowly origin and reputation who receive the gospel by God’s grace and proclaim it joyfully to others. - Thomas Constable
Mary’s Meditation
Vs. 19 - But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.
Twice in this account, Luke mentioned that Mary pondered the meaning of the peculiar events surrounding the birth of her son. That he includes these details probably identifies Mary (or someone close to her) as the source of his information. It also gives us a glimpse into Mary’s early understanding of Jesus’ full identity and life purpose. She watched him gradually develop with the caring curiosity of a mother who knew her son was destined for something mysterious and miraculous.
Jesus’ Circumcision And Presentation
After Jesus was born, his parents were required to carry out three ceremonies according to the law of Moses. - Don Fleming
Circumcision
Vs. 21 - When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus—the name given by the angel before he was conceived.
Genesis 17:10-11 - This is my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you, which you are to keep: Every one of your males must be circumcised. You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and you.
Presentation
Vs. 22 - And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
Exodus 13:1-2 - The Lord spoke to Moses: “Consecrate every firstborn male to me, the firstborn from every womb among the Israelites, both man and domestic animal; it is mine.”
Cleansing
Vs. 24 - and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons).
All of Leviticus 12 describes the cleansing process for a woman after giving birth.
Leviticus 12:6-7 - “When her days of purification are complete, whether for a son or daughter, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. He will present them before the Lord and make atonement on her behalf; she will be clean from her discharge of blood.
Leviticus 12 commands that at the birth of a son a lamb be offered as part of the purification and dedication ceremony. Yet it allowed for two birds to be offered if the family could not afford to present a lamb. - David Guzik
Mary’s uncleanness was not due to sin but to bearing a child. The fact that she became unclean when she bore Jesus testifies to the reality of the Incarnation. Jesus was a real human being. - Thomas Constable citing FW Danker
Simeon’s Prophecy
A Man in Jerusalem
Vs. 25 - There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
We know very little about this “man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon,” only that he was guided by God’s Spirit to provide further confirmation that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Luke mentioned the Spirit of God three times in this short section, perhaps to emphasize God’s sovereignty and Jesus’ deity.
Your Salvation
Vs. 30-32 - For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.
He (Simeon) also viewed the salvation that Jesus would provide as being worldwide, not just for Israel (Psalms 98:3; Isaiah 52:10). Luke mentioned the fact that Jesus would provide salvation for Gentiles as well as Jews many times. If we only had Matthew and Mark’s Gospels, we might wonder if there were any Jews except Jesus who understood the Old Testament correctly. - Thomas Constable
Vs. 34-35 - Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Having praised God for the coming of Jesus, Simeon turned to address Mary. He saw that one day Jesus would create a division among the Jewish people. Many would reject him and so fall under God’s punishment, but others would receive him and so rise to salvation. People’s opposition to Jesus would show up the sinfulness of their hearts, and at the same time bring pain and sorrow to the heart of his mother. - Don Fleming
The specificity of Simeon’s prophetic word to Mary is interesting to note. It’s fascinating to think of Mary recounting these details to Luke, describing a day decades earlier when a stranger warned her how deeply her heart would break for her son.
Anna’s Testimony
Vs. 36 - There was also a prophetess, Anna
This is the only time in scripture that Anna is mentioned, but her testament to Jesus’ identity adds to the list of God-fearing contemporaries who were instrumental in confirming to Joseph and Mary that their son was exactly Who the angels had declared Him.
Young Jesus in Jerusalem
This is the only incident scripture reports about Jesus' life between the time he was a small child and his baptism by John. - A. Boyd Luter
Passover
Vs. 41 - Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.
Luke pointed out the godly characters of Mary and Joseph. Jewish males were to go to Jerusalem three times a year, at the feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. In Jesus’ day, women usually attended with their husbands or fathers. Those who could not attend all three festivals tried to attend Passover at least. - Thomas Constable
Twelve
Vs. 42 - When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.
A Jewish boy became a man when he was twelve years of age. Then he became a son of the law and had to take the obligations of the law upon him. So at twelve Jesus for the first time went to the Passover. - William Barclay
My Father’s Business
Vs. 49-50 - “Why were you searching for me?” he asked them. “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them.
These are the first words that Luke recorded Jesus saying in his Gospel, and they set the tone for what follows. All of Jesus’ words and works testified to the priority He gave to the will of His heavenly Father. - Thomas Constable
At some time, Jesus must have discovered his own unique relationship to God. He cannot have known it when he was a child in the manger and a baby at his mother's breast or he would be a monstrosity. As the years went on he must have had thoughts; and then at this first Passover, with manhood dawning, there came in a sudden blaze of realization the consciousness that he was in a unique sense the Son of God. - William Barclay
Obedient
Vs. 51 - Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them.
Jesus’ reply, though gentle in manner, suggests the establishment of a break between himself and his parents. There is thus a tension between the necessity felt by Jesus to enter into closer relationship with his Father and the obedience which he continued to render to his parents. - Idem
Mary’s Meditation
Vs. 33 - His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
Vs. 51 - His mother kept all these things in her heart.
His second reference to Mary meditating on these things continues the implication that his record of these events came from her or from someone close to her. - Thomas Constable
Favor with God and Men
Vs. 40 - The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.
Vs. 52 - And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.
Jesus’ mental, social, and spiritual powers developed along with His physical powers. He was fully man as well as fully God who voluntarily set aside some of His divine prerogatives temporarily in the Incarnation (Philippians 2:7). The Greek word translated "increased" or "grew" (Luke 2:52, prokopto) literally means to make one’s way forward by chopping down obstacles, a vivid description of the maturation process (cf. Luke 2:40).
Luke’s original Greek readers were familiar with the concept of gods visiting humans. This was common in their mythology. However those gods did not become humans; they remained different from mortals. Luke probably recorded so much information about Jesus’ birth and early life to help them believe that Jesus became a real man at the Incarnation. - Thomas Constable
