Luke 2
Darby Translation
2 But it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census should be made of all the habitable world.
2 The census itself first took place when Cyrenius had the government of Syria.
3 And all went to be inscribed in the census roll, each to his own city:
4 and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city Nazareth to Judaea, to David's city, the which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 to be inscribed in the census roll with Mary who was betrothed to him [as his] wife, she being great with child.
6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days of her giving birth [to her child] were fulfilled,
7 and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling-clothes and laid him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were shepherds in that country abiding without, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9 And lo, an angel of [the] Lord was there by them, and [the] glory of [the] Lord shone around them, and they feared [with] great fear.
10 And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I announce to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people;
11 for to-day a Saviour has been born to you in David's city, who is Christ [the] Lord.
12 And this is the sign to you: ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and 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 pleasure in men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels departed from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us make our way then now as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.
16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger;
17 and having seen [it] they made known about the country the thing which had been said to them concerning this child.
18 And all who heard [it] wondered at the things said to them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things [in her mind], pondering [them] in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all things which they had heard and seen, as it had been said to them.
21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he had been conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days were fulfilled for their purifying according to the law of Moses, 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 opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord),
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of [the] Lord: A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was just and pious, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and [the] Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And it was divinely communicated to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he should see [the] Lord's Christ.
27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and as the parents brought in the child Jesus that they might do for him according to the custom of the law,
28 *he* received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now thou lettest thy bondman go, according to thy word, in peace;
30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 a light for revelation of [the] Gentiles and [the] glory of thy people Israel.
33 And his father and mother wondered at the things which were said concerning him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Lo, this [child] is set for the fall and rising up of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against;
35 (and even a sword shall go through thine own soul;) so that [the] thoughts may be revealed from many hearts.
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of [the] tribe of Asher, who was far advanced in years, having lived with [her] husband seven years from her virginity,
37 and herself a widow up to eighty-four years; who did not depart from the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers;
38 and she coming up the same hour gave praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had completed all things according to the law of [the] Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew and waxed strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom, and God's grace was upon him.
41 And his parents went yearly to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, and they went up [to Jerusalem] according to the custom of the feast
43 and had completed the days, as they returned, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and his parents knew not [of it];
44 but, supposing him to be in the company that journeyed together, they went a day's journey, and sought him among their relations and acquaintances:
45 and not having found him they returned to Jerusalem seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers and hearing them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him they were amazed: and his mother said to him, Child, why hast thou dealt thus with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee distressed.
49 And he said to them, Why [is it] that ye have sought me? did ye not know that I ought to be [occupied] in my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the thing that he said to them.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was in subjection to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
Luke 2
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Mary Gives Birth In Bethlehem, Where She And Joseph Went Because of The Roman Census
2 Now it came about during those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus[a] that all the world should be registered[b]. 2 This first[c] registration took place while Quirinius was being-governor of Syria. 3 And they were all going to register-themselves[d]— each one to his own city[e]. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem— because of his being from the house and family of David— 5 so as to register himself with Mary, the one having been promised-in-marriage to him, being pregnant. 6 And it came about during their being there that the days were fulfilled that she might give-birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son. And she wrapped Him in swaddling-cloths[f], and laid Him in a manger[g], because there was not a place for them in the inn.
Angels Announce The Birth of The Savior To Shepherds In The Field
8 And shepherds were in the same region, living-in-the-fields and watching over their flock for watches of the night. 9 And an angel of the Lord stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shined around them, and they feared a great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Do not be fearing. For behold— I am announcing-as-good-news to you a great joy which will be for all the people, 11 because[h] a Savior was born for you today in the city of David, Who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby having been wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger”. 13 And suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host was with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest [heavens]. And peace on earth among people of [i] [His] good-will[j]”. 15 And it came about that when the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds were saying to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing having taken place which the Lord made-known to us”. 16 And they came, having hurried, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 And having seen Him, they made-known about the thing having been spoken to them about this Child. 18 And all the ones having heard it marveled about the things having been spoken to them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary was preserving[k] all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything which they heard and saw, just as it was spoken to them.
His Name Is Called Jesus
21 And when eight days were fulfilled that they might circumcise Him, His name was indeed called Jesus— the name having been named by the angel before[l] He was conceived in the womb.
The Parents Bring Jesus To The Temple To Redeem Him Before The Lord
22 And when the days of their purification according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled[m], they brought Him up to Jerusalem so as to present Him to the Lord 23 just as it has been written in the Law of the Lord [in Ex 13:2], that “every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”; 24 and that she might give a sacrifice in accordance with the thing having been said in the Law of the Lord [in Lev 12:8]: “a pair of turtledoves or two young ones of pigeons”.
Simeon Recognizes The Child As The Messiah, But a Sword Will Pierce Mary’s Soul
25 And behold— a man was in Jerusalem for whom the name was Simeon. And this man was righteous and reverent[n], waiting-for 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 see death before he would see the Christ of the Lord. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple. And at the parents bringing-in the child Jesus that they might do for Him according to the thing[o] having become-a-custom from the Law, 28 he also took Him into his arms. And he blessed God, and said, 29 “Now You are releasing Your slave in peace in accordance with Your word, Master, 30 because my eyes saw Your salvation 31 which You prepared in the presence of all the peoples— 32 the light for the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel”. 33 And His father and mother were marveling at the things being spoken about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold— this One is appointed[p] for[q] the falling and rising of many in Israel, and for[r] a sign being spoken-against[s]— 35 and indeed a sword will pierce the soul of you yourself— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”.
Anna The Prophet Thanks God For the Child
36 And there was Anna— a prophet, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. This one was advanced in her many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and herself being a widow up-to[t] eighty four years, who was not departing from the temple, serving[u] night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 And having come-upon them at the very hour, she was returning-thanks to God, and was speaking about Him to all the ones waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Family Returns To Nazareth In Galilee
39 And when they finished all the things according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee— to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child was growing and becoming strong, while being filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was upon Him.
In Jerusalem At Age Twelve, Jesus Stays Behind When His Parents Leave For Home
41 And His parents were going to Jerusalem yearly for the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve years old— they going up in accordance with the custom of the Feast, 43 and having completed the days— during their returning, the boy Jesus stayed-behind in Jerusalem. And His parents did not know it, 44 but having thought that He was in the caravan[v], they went a day’s journey. And they were searching-for Him among the relatives and the acquaintances. 45 And not having found Him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching-for Him.
Jesus Is Found In The Temple Listening To And Questioning The Teachers
46 And it came about after three days that they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening-to them and questioning them. 47 And all the ones listening-to Him were astonished at His understanding and His answers. 48 And having seen Him, they were astounded. And His mother said to Him, “Child, why did you do[w] us like this? Behold— Your father and I were looking-for You, while suffering-pain”. 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking-for Me? Did you not know that I must be in[x] the things of My[y] Father? 50 And they did not understand the thing which He spoke to them. 51 And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was being subject to them. And His mother was keeping all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people.
Footnotes
- Luke 2:1 This Roman emperor, also known as Octavian, ruled from 27 b.c to a.d. 14.
- Luke 2:1 Or, enrolled, listed on a census roll.
- Luke 2:2 Or, This was the first registration while. This was in about 4 b.c. A second, or a finishing of this first one, took place in a.d. 6, and is mentioned in Act 5:37.
- Luke 2:3 Or, be registered.
- Luke 2:3 This indicates Herod was conducting the census according to Jewish customs.
- Luke 2:7 That is, bands of cloth.
- Luke 2:7 That is, an animal feeding trough in a stall or stable, as in 13:15.
- Luke 2:11 Or, that.
- Luke 2:14 That is, people who are recipients or objects of His good-will, people with whom He is pleased; or, people characterized by good-will toward God. Some manuscripts say ‘earth, good-will among people’.
- Luke 2:14 Or, good-pleasure, favor.
- Luke 2:19 Or, treasuring-up, holding in memory.
- Luke 2:21 In other words, the Child’s Father chose His name.
- Luke 2:22 That is, after 33 more days, Lev 12:1-8.
- Luke 2:25 Or, God-fearing, devout.
- Luke 2:27 Luke is referring to the practice in v 23.
- Luke 2:34 Or, destined.
- Luke 2:34 That is, for the purpose of causing a fall.
- Luke 2:34 That is, for the purpose of becoming a sign.
- Luke 2:34 Or, opposed, contradicted.
- Luke 2:37 Or, until. That is, until her 84th year; or, for 84 years after becoming a widow.
- Luke 2:37 Or, worshiping.
- Luke 2:44 Or, travel-group.
- Luke 2:48 Or, act toward us.
- Luke 2:49 That is, engaged in the interests or business of My Father (answering the stated ‘Why’ question); or, located in the possessions or house of My Father (answering the implied ‘Where’ question).
- Luke 2:49 Note the contrast with ‘your father’ in v 48.
Luke 2
The Voice
2 Around the time of Elizabeth’s amazing pregnancy and John’s birth, the emperor in Rome, Caesar Augustus, required everyone in the Roman Empire to participate in a massive census— 2 the first census since Quirinius had become governor of Syria. 3 Each person had to go to his or her ancestral city to be counted.
This political background isn’t incidental: it is crucial to the story. Conquering nations in the ancient world work in various ways. Some brutally destroy and plunder the nations they conquer. Some conquer people as slaves or servants. Other empires allow the people to remain in their land and work as before, but with one major change: the conquered people have to pay taxes to their rulers. The purpose of a census like the one Luke de-scribes is to be sure that everyone is appropriately taxed and knows who is in charge.
4-5 Mary’s fiancé Joseph, from Nazareth in Galilee, had to participate in the census in the same way everyone else did. Because he was a descendant of King David, his ancestral city was Bethlehem, David’s birthplace. Mary, who was now late in her pregnancy that the messenger Gabriel had predicted, 6 accompanied Joseph. While in Bethlehem, she went into labor 7 and gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid Him in a feeding trough because the inn had no room for them.
8 Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. 9 Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light—the shining light of God’s glory. They were terrified!
Messenger: 10 Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere. 11 Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! 12 You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough.
13 At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers—a vast heavenly choir. They praised God.
14 Heavenly Choir: To the highest heights of the universe, glory to God!
And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God!
15 As soon as the heavenly messengers disappeared into heaven, the shepherds were buzzing with conversation.
Shepherds: Let’s rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let’s see what’s happening! Let’s experience what the Lord has told us about!
16 So they ran into town, and eventually they found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the feeding trough. After they saw the baby, 17 they spread the story of what they had experienced and what had been said to them about this child. 18 Everyone who heard their story couldn’t stop thinking about its meaning. 19 Mary, too, pondered all of these events, treasuring each memory in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned to their flocks, praising God for all they had seen and heard, and they glorified God for the way the experience had unfolded just as the heavenly messenger had predicted.
Here again is Luke’s fascination with disadvantaged people. Jesus’ first visitors are not ambassadors, dignitaries, or wealthy landowners. The first to pay Him homage are simple shepherds, minimum-wage workers in the ancient agrarian economy. They have little to no status in the world. They are the humble and the poor whom God is now raising up to receive heavenly messages and an audience with the great King. This theme recurs as the story continues.
21 Eight days after His birth, the baby was circumcised in keeping with Jewish religious requirements, and He was named Jesus, the name the messenger had given Him before His conception in Mary’s womb. 22 After Mary had observed the ceremonial days of postpartum purification required by Mosaic law, she and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. 23 They were fulfilling the Lord’s requirement that “every firstborn Israelite male will be dedicated to the Eternal One as holy.”[a] 24 They also offered the sacrifice required by the law of the Lord, “two turtledoves or two young pigeons.”[b]
25 While fulfilling these sacred obligations at the temple, they encountered a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was a just and pious man, anticipating the liberation of Israel from her troubles. He was a man in touch with the Holy Spirit. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Anointed One. 27 The Spirit had led him to the temple that day, and there he saw the child Jesus in the arms of His parents, who were fulfilling their sacred obligations. 28 Simeon took Jesus into his arms and blessed God.
29 Simeon: Now, Lord and King, You can let me, Your humble servant, die in peace.
30 You promised me that I would see with my own eyes
what I’m seeing now: Your freedom,
31 Raised up in the presence of all peoples.
32 He is the light who reveals Your message to the other nations,
and He is the shining glory of Your covenant people, Israel.
33 His father and mother were stunned to hear Simeon say these things. 34 Simeon went on to bless them both, and to Mary in particular he gave predictions.
Simeon: Listen, this child will make many in Israel rise and fall. He will be a significant person whom many will oppose. 35 In the end, He will lay bare the secret thoughts of many hearts. And a sword will pierce even your own soul, Mary.
36 At that very moment, an elderly woman named Anna stepped forward. Anna was a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for seven years before her husband died 37 and a widow to her current age of 84 years. She was deeply devoted to the Lord, constantly in the temple, fasting and praying. 38 When she approached Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, she began speaking out thanks to God, and she continued spreading the word about Jesus to all those who shared her hope for the rescue of Jerusalem.
39 After fulfilling their sacred duties according to the law of the Lord, Mary and Joseph returned with Jesus to their own city of Nazareth in the province of Galilee. 40 There Jesus grew up, maturing in physical strength and increasing in wisdom, and the grace of God rested on Him.
41 Every year during Jesus’ childhood, His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. 42 When Jesus was 12, He made the journey with them. 43 They spent several days there, participating in the whole celebration. When His parents left for home, Jesus stayed in Jerusalem, but Joseph and Mary were not aware. 44 They assumed Jesus was elsewhere in the caravan that was traveling together. After they had already traveled a full day’s journey toward home, they began searching for Him among their friends and relatives. 45 When no one had seen the boy, Mary and Joseph rushed back to Jerusalem and searched for Him.
46 After three days of separation, they finally found Him—sitting among a group of religious teachers in the temple—asking them questions, listening to their answers. 47 Everyone was surprised and impressed that a 12-year-old boy could have such deep understanding and could answer questions with such wisdom.
48 His parents, of course, had a different reaction.
Mary: Son, why have You treated us this way? Listen, Your father and I have been sick with worry for the last three days, wondering where You were, looking everywhere for You.
Jesus: 49 Why did you need to look for Me? Didn’t you know that I must be working for My Father?
Little is recorded about Jesus’ life between His birth and the age of 30. But this one episode tells so much. First, Jesus’ family life is a lot like anyone’s—full of mishaps and misunderstandings. Second, as Jesus enters young adulthood, He begins manifesting an extraordinary sense of identity. (Remember, a 12-year-old isn’t “just a kid” in Israel—he is becoming a man.) He isn’t just “Mary’s boy” or “Joseph’s stepson.” He has a direct relationship with God as His Father, and He knows His life will follow a path of working for God.
50 Neither Mary nor Joseph really understood what He meant by this. 51 Jesus went back to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother continued to store these memories like treasures in her heart. 52 And Jesus kept on growing—in wisdom, in physical stature, in favor with God, and in favor with others.
Footnotes
Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.