Lucas 2
La Palabra (Hispanoamérica)
Nacimiento de Jesús (Mt 1,18-25)
2 Augusto, el emperador romano, publicó por aquellos días un decreto disponiendo que se empadronaran todos los habitantes del Imperio. 2 Este fue el primer censo que se hizo siendo Cirino gobernador de Siria. 3 Todos tenían que ir a empadronarse, cada uno a su ciudad de origen. 4 Por esta razón, también José, que era descendiente del rey David, se dirigió desde Nazaret, en la región de Galilea, a Belén, la ciudad de David, en el territorio de Judea, 5 para empadronarse allí juntamente con su esposa María, que se hallaba embarazada.
6 Y sucedió que, mientras estaban en Belén, se cumplió el tiempo del alumbramiento. 7 Y María dio a luz a su primogénito; lo envolvió en pañales y lo puso en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el mesón.
Los ángeles y los pastores
8 En unos campos cercanos había unos pastores que pasaban la noche a la intemperie cuidando sus rebaños. 9 De pronto, se les apareció un ángel del Señor y el resplandor de la gloria de Dios los llenó de luz de modo que quedaron sobrecogidos de temor. 10 Pero el ángel les dijo:
— No tengan miedo, porque vengo a traerles una buena noticia, que será causa de gran alegría para todo el pueblo. 11 En la ciudad de David les ha nacido hoy un Salvador, que es el Mesías, el Señor. 12 Esta será la señal para que lo reconozcan: encontrarán al niño envuelto en pañales y acostado en un pesebre.
13 En aquel mismo instante apareció junto al ángel una multitud de otros ángeles del cielo, que alababan al Señor y decían:
14 — ¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas y paz en la tierra a los hombres que gozan de su favor!
15 Luego los ángeles volvieron al cielo, y los pastores se decían unos a otros:
— Vamos a Belén, a ver eso que ha sucedido y que el Señor nos ha dado a conocer.
16 Fueron a toda prisa y encontraron a María, a José y al recién nacido acostado en el pesebre. 17 Al verlo, contaron todo lo que el ángel les había dicho acerca del niño. 18 Y todos cuantos escuchaban a los pastores se quedaban asombrados de lo que decían. 19 María, por su parte, guardaba todas estas cosas, meditándolas en lo íntimo de su corazón.
20 Los pastores se volvieron dando gloria a Dios y alabándolo por lo que habían visto y oído, pues todo había sucedido tal y como se les había anunciado.
Jesús es circuncidado y presentado en el Templo
21 A los ocho días llevaron a circuncidar al niño, y le pusieron por nombre Jesús, el nombre que el ángel le puso antes de ser concebido. 22 Más tarde, pasados ya los días de la purificación prescrita por la ley de Moisés, llevaron al niño a Jerusalén para presentárselo al Señor, 23 cumpliendo así lo que dispone la ley del Señor: Todo primogénito varón ha de ser consagrado al Señor, 24 y para ofrecer al mismo tiempo el sacrificio prescrito por la ley del Señor: una pareja de tórtolas o dos pichones.
25 Por aquel entonces vivía en Jerusalén un hombre llamado Simeón, hombre justo y piadoso que esperaba la liberación de Israel. El Espíritu Santo estaba con Simeón 26 y le había hecho saber que no moriría antes de haber visto al Mesías enviado por el Señor. 27 Guiado por el Espíritu Santo, Simeón fue al Templo cuando los padres del niño Jesús llevaban a su hijo para hacer con él lo que ordenaba la ley. 28 Y tomando al niño en brazos, alabó a Dios diciendo:
29 Ahora, Señor, ya puedo morir en paz,
porque has cumplido tu promesa.
30 Con mis propios ojos he visto
la salvación que nos envías
31 y que has preparado
a la vista de todos los pueblos:
32 luz que se manifiesta a las naciones,
y gloria de tu pueblo Israel.
33 Los padres de Jesús estaban asombrados de lo que Simeón decía acerca del niño. 34 Simeón los bendijo y anunció a María, la madre del niño:
— Mira, este niño va a ser causa en Israel de que muchos caigan y otros muchos se levanten. Será también signo de contradicción 35 puesto para descubrir los pensamientos más íntimos de mucha gente. En cuanto a ti, una espada te atravesará el corazón.
36 Había también allí una profetisa llamada Ana, hija de Fanuel, de la tribu de Aser. Era una mujer muy anciana que en su juventud había estado casada siete años, 37 y permaneció luego viuda hasta los ochenta y cuatro años de edad. Ahora no se apartaba del Templo, sirviendo al Señor día y noche con ayunos y oraciones. 38 Se presentó, pues, Ana en aquel mismo momento alabando a Dios y hablando del niño a todos los que esperaban la liberación de Jerusalén.
El regreso a Nazaret
39 Después de haber cumplido todos los preceptos de la ley del Señor, se volvieron a Galilea, a su pueblo, Nazaret. 40 El niño iba creciendo y robusteciéndose; estaba lleno de sabiduría y gozaba del favor de Dios.
El niño Jesús en el Templo
41 Los padres de Jesús iban todos los años a Jerusalén, a celebrar la fiesta de la Pascua. 42 Cuando el niño cumplió doce años, subieron juntos a la fiesta, como tenían por costumbre. 43 Una vez terminada la fiesta, emprendieron el regreso. Pero el niño Jesús se quedó en Jerusalén sin que sus padres lo advirtieran. 44 Pensando que iría mezclado entre la caravana, hicieron una jornada de camino y al término de ella comenzaron a buscarlo entre los parientes y conocidos. 45 Y como no lo encontraron, regresaron a Jerusalén para seguir buscándolo allí. 46 Por fin, al cabo de tres días, lo encontraron en el Templo, sentado en medio de los doctores, escuchándolos y haciéndoles preguntas. 47 Cuantos lo oían estaban asombrados de su inteligencia y de sus respuestas. 48 Sus padres se quedaron atónitos al verlo; y su madre le dijo:
— Hijo, ¿por qué nos has hecho esto? Tu padre y yo hemos estado muy angustiados buscándote.
49 Jesús les contestó:
— ¿Y por qué me buscaban? ¿No saben que debo ocuparme de los asuntos de mi Padre?
50 Pero ellos no comprendieron lo que les decía.
51 Después el niño regresó a Nazaret con sus padres y siguió sujeto a ellos. En cuanto a su madre, guardaba todas estas cosas en lo íntimo de su corazón. 52 Y Jesús crecía, y con la edad aumentaban su sabiduría y el favor de que gozaba ante Dios y la gente.
Luke 2
New International Version
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J) 12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.(M) 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.(N) 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(O) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child,(P) he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.(Q)
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses,(R) Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[b]),(S) 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[c](T)
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.(U) He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,(V) and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,(W) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,(X)
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.(Y)
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,(Z)
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”(AA)
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:(AB) “This child is destined to cause the falling(AC) and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet,(AD) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e](AE) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.(AF) 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.(AG)
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.(AH) 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.(AI)
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.(AJ) 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed(AK) at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother(AL) said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father(AM) and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[f](AN) 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.(AO)
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them(AP) and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.(AQ) 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.(AR)
Luke 2
King James Version
2 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 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
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:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
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.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
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.
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.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
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.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
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 at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
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.
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.
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;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
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.
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.
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.
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,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
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;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
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;
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.
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.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
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.
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.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
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.
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 unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
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?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
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.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Luke 2
English Standard Version
The Birth of Jesus Christ
2 In those days (A)a decree went out from (B)Caesar Augustus that all the world should be (C)registered. 2 This was the first (D)registration when[a] Quirinius (E)was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up (F)from Galilee, from the town of (G)Nazareth, to Judea, to (H)the city of David, which is called (I)Bethlehem, (J)because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And (K)while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and (L)wrapped him in swaddling cloths and (M)laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in (N)the inn.[c]
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord (O)appeared to them, and (P)the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all (Q)the people. 11 For (R)unto you is born this day in (S)the city of David (T)a Savior, who is (U)Christ (V)the Lord. 12 And (W)this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby (X)wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel (Y)a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 (Z)“Glory to God (AA)in the highest,
(AB)and on earth (AC)peace (AD)among those with whom he is pleased!”[d]
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby (AE)lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But (AF)Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, (AG)glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 And (AH)at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, (AI)he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Presented at the Temple
22 And (AJ)when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem (AK)to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in (AL)the Law of the Lord, (AM)“Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in (AN)the Law of the Lord, (AO)“a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was (AP)righteous and (AQ)devout, (AR)waiting for (AS)the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not (AT)see death before he had seen (AU)the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when (AV)the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and (AW)blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant[e] depart (AX)in peace,
(AY)according to your word;
30 for (AZ)my eyes have seen your (BA)salvation
31 (BB)that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 (BC)a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and (BD)for glory to (BE)your people Israel.”
33 And (BF)his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed (BG)for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign (BH)that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was (BI)a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[f] She did not depart from the temple, (BJ)worshiping with (BK)fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were (BL)waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 And when they had performed everything according to (BM)the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of (BN)Nazareth. 40 (BO)And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 Now (BP)his parents went (BQ)to Jerusalem every year at (BR)the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, (BS)they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast (BT)was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. (BU)His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, (BV)sitting among (BW)the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents[g] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, (BX)your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that (BY)I must be in (BZ)my Father's house?”[h] 50 And (CA)they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And (CB)his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus (CC)increased in wisdom and in stature[i] and in (CD)favor with God and man.
Footnotes
- Luke 2:2 Or This was the registration before
- Luke 2:5 That is, one legally pledged to be married
- Luke 2:7 Or guest room
- Luke 2:14 Some manuscripts peace, good will among men
- Luke 2:29 Or bondservant
- Luke 2:37 Or as a widow for eighty-four years
- Luke 2:48 Greek they
- Luke 2:49 Or about my Father's business
- Luke 2:52 Or years
La Palabra, (versión hispanoamericana) © 2010 Texto y Edición, Sociedad Bíblica de España
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

