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
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.
Lucas 2
Dios Habla Hoy
Nacimiento de Jesús(A)
2 Por aquel tiempo, el emperador Augusto ordenó que se hiciera un censo de todo el mundo. 2 Este primer censo fue hecho siendo Quirinio gobernador de Siria. 3 Todos tenían que ir a inscribirse a su propio pueblo.
4 Por esto, José salió del pueblo de Nazaret, de la región de Galilea, y se fue a Belén, en Judea, donde había nacido el rey David, porque José era descendiente de David. 5 Fue allá a inscribirse, junto con María, su esposa, que se encontraba encinta. 6 Y sucedió que mientras estaban en Belén, le llegó a María el tiempo de dar a luz. 7 Y allí nació su hijo primogénito, y lo envolvió en pañales y lo acostó en el establo, porque no había alojamiento para ellos en el mesón.
Los ángeles y los pastores
8 Cerca de Belén había unos pastores que pasaban la noche en el campo cuidando sus ovejas. 9 De pronto se les apareció un ángel del Señor, y la gloria del Señor brilló alrededor de ellos; y tuvieron mucho miedo. 10 Pero el ángel les dijo: «No tengan miedo, porque les traigo una buena noticia, que será motivo de gran alegría para todos: 11 Hoy les ha nacido en el pueblo de David un salvador, que es el Mesías, el Señor. 12 Como señal, encontrarán ustedes al niño envuelto en pañales y acostado en un establo.»
13 En aquel momento aparecieron, junto al ángel, muchos otros ángeles del cielo, que alababan a Dios y decían:
14 «¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas!
¡Paz en la tierra entre los hombres que gozan de su favor!»
15 Cuando los ángeles se volvieron al cielo, los pastores comenzaron a decirse unos a otros:
—Vamos, pues, a Belén, a ver esto que ha sucedido y que el Señor nos ha anunciado.
16 Fueron de prisa y encontraron a María y a José, y al niño acostado en el establo. 17 Cuando lo vieron, se pusieron a contar lo que el ángel les había dicho acerca del niño, 18 y todos los que lo oyeron se admiraban de lo que decían los pastores. 19 María guardaba todo esto en su corazón, y lo tenía muy presente. 20 Los pastores, por su parte, regresaron dando gloria y alabanza a Dios por todo lo que habían visto y oído, pues todo sucedió como se les había dicho.
El niño Jesús es presentado en el templo
21 A los ocho días circuncidaron al niño, y le pusieron por nombre Jesús, el mismo nombre que el ángel le había dicho a María antes que ella estuviera encinta.
22 Cuando se cumplieron los días en que ellos debían purificarse según la ley de Moisés, llevaron al niño a Jerusalén para presentárselo al Señor. 23 Lo hicieron así porque en la ley del Señor está escrito: «Todo primer hijo varón será consagrado al Señor.» 24 Fueron, pues, a ofrecer en sacrificio lo que manda la ley del Señor: un par de tórtolas o dos pichones de paloma.
25 En aquel tiempo vivía en Jerusalén un hombre que se llamaba Simeón. Era un hombre justo y piadoso, que esperaba la restauración de Israel. El Espíritu Santo estaba con Simeón, 26 y le había hecho saber que no moriría sin ver antes al Mesías, a quien el Señor enviaría. 27 Guiado por el Espíritu Santo, Simeón fue al templo; y cuando los padres del niño Jesús lo llevaron también a él, para cumplir con lo que la ley ordenaba, 28 Simeón lo tomó en brazos y alabó a Dios, diciendo:
29 «Ahora, Señor, tu promesa está cumplida:
puedes dejar que tu siervo muera en paz.
30 Porque ya he visto la salvación
31 que has comenzado a realizar
a la vista de todos los pueblos,
32 la luz que alumbrará a las naciones
y que será la gloria de tu pueblo Israel.»
33 El padre y la madre de Jesús se quedaron admirados al oír lo que Simeón decía del niño. 34 Entonces Simeón les dio su bendición, y dijo a María, la madre de Jesús:
—Mira, este niño está destinado a hacer que muchos en Israel caigan o se levanten. Él será una señal que muchos rechazarán, 35 a fin de que las intenciones de muchos corazones queden al descubierto. Pero todo esto va a ser para ti como una espada que atraviese tu propia alma.
36 También estaba allí una profetisa llamada Ana, hija de Penuel, de la tribu de Aser. Era ya muy anciana. Se casó siendo muy joven, y había vivido con su marido siete años; 37 hacía ya ochenta y cuatro años que se había quedado viuda. Nunca salía del templo, sino que servía día y noche al Señor, con ayunos y oraciones. 38 Ana se presentó en aquel mismo momento, y comenzó a dar gracias a Dios y a hablar del niño Jesús a todos los que esperaban la liberación de Jerusalén.
El regreso a Nazaret
39 Después de haber cumplido con todo lo que manda la ley del Señor, volvieron a Galilea, a su propio pueblo de Nazaret. 40 Y el niño crecía y se hacía más fuerte, estaba lleno de sabiduría y gozaba del favor de Dios.
El niño Jesús es hallado en el templo
41 Los padres de Jesús iban todos los años a Jerusalén para la fiesta de la Pascua. 42 Y así, cuando Jesús cumplió doce años, fueron allá todos ellos, como era costumbre en esa fiesta. 43 Pero pasados aquellos días, cuando volvían a casa, el niño Jesús se quedó en Jerusalén, sin que sus padres se dieran cuenta. 44 Pensando que Jesús iba entre la gente, hicieron un día de camino; pero luego, al buscarlo entre los parientes y conocidos, 45 no lo encontraron. Así que regresaron a Jerusalén para buscarlo allí.
46 Al cabo de tres días lo encontraron en el templo, sentado entre los maestros de la ley, escuchándolos y haciéndoles preguntas. 47 Y todos los que lo oían se admiraban de su inteligencia y de sus respuestas. 48 Cuando sus padres lo vieron, se sorprendieron; y su madre le dijo:
—Hijo mío, ¿por qué nos has hecho esto? Tu padre y yo te hemos estado buscando llenos de angustia.
49 Jesús les contestó:
—¿Por qué me buscaban? ¿No sabían que tengo que estar en la casa de mi Padre?
50 Pero ellos no entendieron lo que les decía.
51 Entonces volvió con ellos a Nazaret, donde vivió obedeciéndolos en todo. Su madre guardaba todo esto en su corazón. 52 Y Jesús seguía creciendo en sabiduría y estatura, y gozaba del favor de Dios y de los hombres.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Dios habla hoy ®, © Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas, 1966, 1970, 1979, 1983, 1996.