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
1599 Geneva Bible
2 Augustus Caesar taxeth all the world. 7 Christ is born. 13 The Angels’ Song. 21 Christ is circumcised. 22 Mary purified. 28 Simeon taketh Christ in his arms. 29 His Song. 36 Anna the Prophetess. 40 The child Christ. 46 Jesus disputeth with the doctors.
1 And [a]it came to pass in those days, that there came a decree from Augustus Caesar, that all the [b]world should be [c]taxed.
2 (This first taxing was made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 Therefore went all to be taxed, every man to his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of a city called Nazareth, into Judea, unto the [d]city of (A)David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David,)
5 To be taxed with Mary that was given him to wife, which was 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 first begotten son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a cratch, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 ¶ [e]And there were in the same country shepherds, [f]abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9 And lo, the Angel of the Lord [g]came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them, and they were sore afraid.
10 Then the Angel said unto them, Be not afraid: for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people,
11 That is, that unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign to you, Ye shall find the babe swaddled, and laid in a cratch.
13 And straightway there was with the Angel [h]a multitude of heavenly soldiers, praising God, and saying,
14 Glory be to God in the high heavens, and peace in earth, and toward men [i]good will.
15 And it came to pass when the Angels were gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said one to another, Let us go then unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed unto us.
16 So they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph and the babe laid in the cratch.
17 And when they had seen it, they published abroad the thing that was told them of that child.
18 And all that heard it, wondered at the things which were told them of the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God, for all that they had heard and seen, as it was spoken unto them.
21 ¶ (B)[j]And when the eight days were accomplished, that they should circumcise the child, his name was then called (C)Jesus, which was named of the Angel, before he was conceived in the womb.
22 (D)[k]And when the days of [l]her purification, after 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, (E)Every man child that first openeth the womb, shall be called holy to the Lord,)
24 And to give an oblation, (F)as it is commanded in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 [m]And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon: this man was just, and feared God, and waited for the consolation of Israel, and the [n]holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was declared to him from God by the holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen that Anointed of the Lord.
27 And he came by the motion of the spirit into the Temple, and when the [o]parents brought in the babe Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the Law.
28 Then he took him in his arms, and praised God, and said,
29 Lord, now [p]lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy [q]word,
30 For [r]mine eyes have seen thy [s]salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared [t]before the face of all people,
32 A light to be revealed to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things, which were spoken touching him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is [u]appointed for the (G)[v]fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a [w]sign which shall be spoken against,
35 (Yea and a sword shall [x]pierce through thy soul) that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened.
36 [y]And there was a Prophetess, one Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, which was of a great age, after she had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity:
37 And she was widow about fourscore, and four years, and went not out of the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 She then coming at the same instant upon them, confessed likewise the Lord, and spake of him to all 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, [z]and was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was with him.
41 ¶ [aa]Now his parents went to Jerusalem, every year, (H)at the feast of the Passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, and they were come up to Jerusalem, after the custom of the feast,
43 And had finished the days thereof, as they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and Joseph knew not, nor his mother,
44 But they supposing that he had been in the company, went a day’s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk, and acquaintances.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back to Jerusalem, and sought him.
46 And it came to pass three days after, that 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 astonied at his understanding and answers.
48 [ab]So 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 with very heavy hearts.
49 Then said he unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must go about my Father’s business?
50 But they understood not the word that he spake to them.
51 [ac]Then he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Footnotes
- Luke 2:1 Christ the son of God, taking upon him the form of a servant, and making himself of no reputation, is poorly born in a stable: and by the means of Augustus the mightiest prince in the world (thinking nothing less) hath his cradle prepared in Bethlehem, as the Prophets forewarned.
- Luke 2:1 So far as the Empire of the Romans did stretch.
- Luke 2:1 That is, the inhabitants of every city should have their names taken, and their goods rated at a certain value, that the Emperor might understand, how rich every country, city, family, and house was.
- Luke 2:4 Which David was born, and brought up in.
- Luke 2:8 The Angels themselves declare to poor shepherds (nothing regarding the pride of the mighty) the Godhead and office of the child lying in the crib.
- Luke 2:8 Lodging without doors, and open in the air.
- Luke 2:9 Came suddenly upon them, when they thought of no such matter.
- Luke 2:13 Whole armies of Angels, which compass the Majesty of God round about, as it were soldiers.
- Luke 2:14 God’s ready, good, infinite, and gracious favor toward men.
- Luke 2:21 Christ the head of the Church, made subject to the Law, to deliver us from the curse of the Law, (as the Name of Jesus doth well declare) being circumcised, doth ratify and seal in his own flesh, the circumcision of the fathers.
- Luke 2:22 Christ, upon whom all our sins were laid, being offered to God, according to the Law, doth purify both Mary and us all in himself.
- Luke 2:22 This is meant, for the fulfilling of the Law: for otherwise the virgin was not defiled, nor unclean, by the birth of this child.
- Luke 2:25 Simeon doth openly in the Temple foretell the deaf, of the coming of Messiah, of the casting out of the greatest part of Israel, and of the calling of the Gentiles.
- Luke 2:25 He was endued with the gifts of the holy Ghost, and this is spoken by the figure Metonymy.
- Luke 2:27 Joseph and Mary: and so he speaketh, as it was commonly taken.
- Luke 2:29 Lettest me depart out of this life, to be joined to my fathers.
- Luke 2:29 As thou promised me.
- Luke 2:30 That is, for I have seen with my very eyes: for he saw before in mind, as it is said of Abraham, He saw my day, and rejoiced.
- Luke 2:30 That, wherein thy salvation is contained.
- Luke 2:31 As a sign set up in an high place, for all men to look upon.
- Luke 2:34 Is appointed and set of God for a mark.
- Luke 2:34 Fall of the reprobate, which perish through their own default: and for the rising of the elect, unto whom God shall give faith to believe.
- Luke 2:34 That is, a mark, which all men shall strive earnestly to hit.
- Luke 2:35 Shall wound and grieve most sharply.
- Luke 2:36 Another witness besides Simeon, against whom no exception may be brought, inviting all men to the receiving of the Messiah.
- Luke 2:40 As Christ grew up in age, so the virtue of his Godhead showed itself more and more.
- Luke 2:41 The Scribes and Pharisees are stirred up to hear the wisdom of Christ in his time, by an extraordinary deed.
- Luke 2:48 All duties which we owe to men as they were not to be neglected, so are they according to our vocation, not to be preferred before the glory of God.
- Luke 2:51 Christ very man is made like unto us in all things, except sin.
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