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
Amplified Bible
Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem
2 Now in those days a decree went out from [the emperor] [a]Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited world (the Roman Empire) should be [b]registered [in a census]. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register with Mary, who was [c]betrothed to him, and was with child.(A) 6 While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth, 7 and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [[d]swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a [e]manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for [f]all the people. 11 For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah).(B) 12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.”(C) 13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying,
14
“Glory to God in the highest [heaven],
And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger. 17 And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child, 18 and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
Jesus Presented at the Temple
21 At the end of eight days, when He was to be circumcised, He was named Jesus, the name given [to Him] by the angel [Gabriel] before He was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the time for their purification came [that is, the mother’s purification and the baby’s dedication] according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord [set apart as the Firstborn](D) 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy [set apart and dedicated] to the Lord)”(E) 24 and [they came also] to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord [to be appropriate for a family of modest means], “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”(F)
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout [carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the [g]Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). 27 Prompted by the Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, [h]to do for Him the custom required by the Law, 28 Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed and praised and thanked God, and said,
29
“Now, Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to leave [this world] in peace,
According to Your word;
30
For my eyes have seen Your Salvation,(G)
31
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32
A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was previously unknown],
And [to bring] the praise and honor and glory of Your people Israel.”(H)
33 And His [legal] father and His mother were amazed at what was said about Him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for [i]a sign that is to be opposed—(I) 35 and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,(J) 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the [area of the] temple, but was serving and worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 She, too, came up at that very moment and began praising and giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for the redemption and deliverance of Jerusalem.
Return to Nazareth
39 And when they had done everything [in connection with Jesus’ birth] according to the Law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.(K)
Visit to Jerusalem
41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast.(L) 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning [to [j]Nazareth], after spending the required number of days [at the Feast], the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this, 44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and traveled a day’s journey; and [then] they began searching [anxiously] for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for Him [everywhere]. 46 Three days later they found Him in the [court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 All who heard Him were amazed by His intelligence and His understanding and His answers. 48 When they saw Him, they were overwhelmed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Listen, Your [k]father and I have been [greatly distressed and] anxiously looking for You.” 49 And He answered, “Why did you have to look for Me? Did you not know that I had to be [l]in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what He had said to them. 51 He went down to Nazareth with them, and was continually submissive and obedient to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men.(M)
Footnotes
- Luke 2:1 Augustus, Rome’s first and possibly greatest emperor was born Gaius Octavius in 63 b.c. He was the great-nephew, adopted son and heir of the dictator, Julius Caesar. Under Augustus’ intelligent leadership (27 b.c.-a.d. 14) Rome entered the period of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.
- Luke 2:1 This was the first general census conducted outside Rome that included the people of the Roman provinces.
- Luke 2:5 See note 1:27.
- Luke 2:7 This was customary among the Jews, and quite comfortable and protective for the baby. Wrapping the baby in strips of cloth was intended to strengthen the back and bones for good growth.
- Luke 2:7 I.e. feeding trough for animals.
- Luke 2:10 I.e. Gentiles as well as Jews.
- Luke 2:25 A Messianic title.
- Luke 2:27 I.e. offer the turtledoves as a sacrifice.
- Luke 2:34 The rejecting of the Messiah, culminating in the crucifixion.
- Luke 2:43 Nazareth of Galilee was about 65 miles north of Jerusalem.
- Luke 2:48 Joseph was recognized as the legal father of Jesus.
- Luke 2:49 Or occupied with My Father’s business.
Lucas 2
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Nacimiento de Jesús
2 Aconteció en aquellos días que salió un edicto de César(A) Augusto, para que se hiciera un censo de todo el mundo habitado[a](B). 2 Este fue el primer censo que se levantó[b] cuando Cirenio era gobernador de Siria(C). 3 Todos se dirigían a inscribirse en el censo, cada uno a su ciudad. 4 También José subió de Galilea, de la ciudad de Nazaret, a Judea, a la ciudad de David que se llama Belén, por ser él de la casa y de la familia de David(D), 5 para inscribirse junto con María, comprometida para casarse con él, la cual estaba encinta.
6 Sucedió que mientras estaban ellos allí, se cumplieron los días de su alumbramiento. 7 Y dio a luz a su Hijo primogénito(E); lo envolvió en pañales y lo acostó en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el mesón.
Los pastores y los ángeles
8 En la misma región había pastores que estaban en el campo[c], cuidando sus rebaños durante las vigilias de la noche. 9 Y un ángel del Señor se les presentó(F), y la gloria del Señor los rodeó de resplandor, y tuvieron gran temor. 10 Pero el ángel les dijo: «No teman(G), porque les traigo buenas nuevas de gran gozo que serán para todo el pueblo; 11 porque les ha nacido hoy, en la ciudad de David, un Salvador(H), que es Cristo[d](I) el Señor(J). 12 Esto les servirá de señal(K): hallarán a un Niño envuelto en pañales y acostado en un pesebre».
13 De repente apareció con el ángel una multitud de los ejércitos celestiales, alabando a Dios y diciendo:
14 «Gloria a Dios en las alturas(L),
Y en la tierra paz entre los hombres[e] en quienes Él se complace[f](M)».
15 Cuando los ángeles se fueron[g] al cielo, los pastores se decían unos a otros: «Vayamos, pues, hasta Belén y veamos esto que ha sucedido, que el Señor nos ha dado a saber».
16 Fueron a toda prisa, y hallaron a María y a José, y al Niño acostado en el pesebre. 17 Cuando lo vieron, dieron a saber lo[h] que se les había dicho acerca de este Niño. 18 Y todos los que lo oyeron se maravillaron de las cosas que les fueron dichas por los pastores. 19 Pero María atesoraba todas estas cosas, reflexionando sobre ellas en su corazón(N). 20 Y los pastores se volvieron, glorificando y alabando a Dios(O) por todo lo que habían oído y visto, tal como se les había dicho.
21 Cuando se cumplieron los ocho días para circuncidar al Niño(P), le pusieron por nombre Jesús, el nombre dado por el ángel antes de que Él fuera concebido en el seno materno(Q).
Jesús presentado en el templo
22 Al cumplirse los días para la purificación de ellos, según la ley de Moisés, lo trajeron a Jerusalén para presentar al Niño al Señor(R), 23 (como está escrito en la Ley del Señor: «Todo varón[i] que abra la matriz(S) será llamado santo para el Señor)», 24 y para ofrecer un sacrificio conforme a lo que fue dicho en la Ley del Señor: «Un par de tórtolas o dos pichones(T)».
25 Había en Jerusalén un hombre que se llamaba Simeón. Este hombre, justo(U) y piadoso, esperaba la consolación de Israel(V), y el Espíritu Santo estaba sobre él. 26 Y por el Espíritu Santo se le había revelado(W) que no vería la muerte(X) sin antes ver al Cristo[j] del Señor. 27 Movido por[k] el Espíritu fue al templo. Y cuando los padres del niño Jesús lo trajeron para cumplir por Él[l] el rito de la ley(Y), 28 Simeón tomó al Niño en sus brazos, y bendijo a Dios diciendo:
29 «Ahora, Señor, permite que Tu siervo se vaya
En paz, conforme a Tu palabra(Z);
30 Porque mis ojos han visto Tu salvación(AA)
31 La cual has preparado en presencia de todos los pueblos;
32 Luz de[m] revelación a los gentiles(AB),
Y gloria de Tu pueblo Israel».
33 Y los padres del Niño[n](AC) estaban asombrados de las cosas que de Él se decían. 34 Simeón los bendijo, y dijo a Su madre(AD) María: «Este Niño ha sido puesto para caída y levantamiento[o] de muchos(AE) en Israel, y para ser señal de contradicción, 35 y una espada traspasará aun tu propia alma, a fin de que sean revelados los pensamientos de muchos corazones».
36 Y había una profetisa(AF), Ana, hija de Fanuel, de la tribu de Aser(AG). Ella era de edad muy avanzada[p], y había vivido con su marido(AH) siete años después de su matrimonio[q], 37 y después de viuda, hasta los ochenta y cuatro años. Nunca se alejaba del templo, sirviendo noche y día con ayunos y oraciones(AI). 38 Llegando ella en ese preciso momento[r], daba gracias a Dios y hablaba del Niño a todos los que esperaban la redención de Jerusalén(AJ).
Crecimiento de Jesús
39 Habiendo ellos cumplido con todo conforme a la Ley del Señor, se volvieron a Galilea, a su ciudad de Nazaret(AK). 40 Y el Niño crecía y se fortalecía, llenándose de sabiduría; y la gracia de Dios(AL) estaba sobre Él.
El niño Jesús discute con los maestros
41 Los padres de Jesús acostumbraban ir a Jerusalén todos los años a la fiesta de la Pascua(AM). 42 Y cuando Él cumplió doce años, subieron allá conforme a la costumbre de la fiesta. 43 Al regresar ellos, después de haber pasado todos los días de la fiesta(AN), el niño Jesús se quedó en Jerusalén sin que lo supieran Sus padres, 44 y suponiendo que iba en la caravana, anduvieron camino de un día, y comenzaron a buscar a Jesús entre los familiares y conocidos.
45 Cuando no lo encontraron, volvieron y lo buscaron en Jerusalén. 46 Después de tres días lo encontraron en el templo, sentado en medio de los maestros, escuchándolos y haciéndoles preguntas. 47 Todos los que le oían estaban asombrados de Su entendimiento y de Sus respuestas(AO). 48 Cuando Sus padres lo vieron, se quedaron maravillados; y Su madre(AP) le dijo: «Hijo, ¿por qué nos has tratado de esta manera? Mira, Tu padre(AQ) y yo te hemos estado buscando[s] llenos de angustia».
49 Entonces Él les dijo: «¿Por qué me buscaban? ¿Acaso no sabían que me era necesario estar en la casa de Mi Padre(AR)?». 50 Pero ellos no entendieron(AS) las palabras que Él les había dicho. 51 Descendió con sus padres y vino a Nazaret(AT), y continuó sujeto a ellos. Y Su madre(AU) atesoraba todas estas cosas[t] en su corazón(AV). 52 Y Jesús crecía en sabiduría, en estatura[u] y en gracia para con Dios(AW) y los hombres.
Footnotes
- Lucas 2:1 I.e. el Imperio romano.
- Lucas 2:2 O Esto tuvo lugar como primer censo.
- Lucas 2:8 Lit. a campo raso.
- Lucas 2:11 I.e. el Mesías.
- Lucas 2:14 Lit. de buena voluntad.
- Lucas 2:14 Lit. hombres de su agrado.
- Lucas 2:15 Lit. se fueron de ellos.
- Lucas 2:17 Lit. acerca de la palabra.
- Lucas 2:23 I.e. el primogénito.
- Lucas 2:26 I.e. al Mesías.
- Lucas 2:27 Lit. Y en.
- Lucas 2:27 Lit. hacer por Él según.
- Lucas 2:32 O para.
- Lucas 2:33 Lit. su padre y madre.
- Lucas 2:34 O la resurrección.
- Lucas 2:36 Lit. avanzada en muchos días.
- Lucas 2:36 Lit. de su virginidad.
- Lucas 2:38 Lit. a esa hora.
- Lucas 2:48 Lit. te buscamos.
- Lucas 2:51 Lit. las palabras.
- Lucas 2:52 O edad.
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