Luke 2

 

 1 And (1) it came to pass in those days, that there came a decree from Augustus Caesar, that all the (a) world should be (b) (*) taxed.

 

(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.
(a) So far as the Empire of the Romans did stretch.
(b) That is, the inhabitants of every city should have their names taken, and their goods rated it a certain value, that the Emperor might understand, how rich every country, city, family, and house was.

(*) Or, put in writing.

 

 2 (This first (*) taxing was made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 

(*) Whereby the people were more charged and oppressed.

 

 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 (c) city of (*) David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and linage of David,)

 

(♣) He sheweth by what occasion Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

(c) Which David was born, and brought up in.

(*) John 7:42 .

 

 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 (♣) crèche, because there was no room for them in the Inn.

 

(*) Read Matthew 1:25 .

(♣) Whereby appeared his poverty, and their cruelty which would not pity such a woman in such case.

 

 8  ¶ (2) And there were in the same country shepherds, (d) abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

 

(2) 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.
(d) Lodging without doors, and open in the air.

 

 9 And lo, the Angel of the Lord (e) came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them, and they were sore afraid.

 

(e) Came suddenly upon them, when they thought of no such matter.

 

 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 

(*) Which was Bethlehem.

 

 12 And (*) this shall be a sign unto you, Ye shall find the babe swaddled, and laid in a crèche.

 

(*) Because they should not be offended with Christ’s poor estate, the Angel preventeth this doubt, and sheweth in what sort they should find him.

 

 13 And straightway there was with the Angel (f) a multitude of heavenly soldiers, praising God, and saying,

 

(f) Whole armies of Angels, which compass the Majesty of God round about, as it were soldiers.

 

 14 Glory be to God in the high heavens, and peace in earth, and towards men (g) (*) good will.

 

(g) God's ready, good, infinite, and gracious favor towards men.

(*) The free mercy and good will of God, which is the fountain of our peace and felicity, and is chiefly declared to the elect.

 

 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 shewed unto us.

 

 16 So they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph and the babe laid in the crèche.

 

 17 And when they had seen it, they published abroad the thing which 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  ¶ (*) (3) And when the eight days were accomplished, that they should circumcise the child, his name was then called (♣) JESUS, which was named of the Angel, before he was conceived in the womb.

 

(*) Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3; John 7:22 .

(3) 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, doeth ratify and seal in his own flesh, the circumcision of the fathers.

(♣) Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:21 .

 

 22  (*) (4) And when the days of (h) (♣) her purification, after the Law of Moses, were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord,

 

(*) Leviticus 12:6 .

(4) 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.
(h) This is meant, for the fulfilling of the Law; for otherwise the virgin was not defiled, nor unclean, by the birth of this child.

(♣) Or, their.

 

 23 (As it is written in the Law of the Lord, (*) Every man child (♣) that first openeth the womb, shall be called holy to the Lord)

 

(*) Exodus 13:2; Numbers 8:16 .

(♣) Or, that is first born.

 

 24 And to give an oblation, (*) as it is commanded in the Law of the Lord, (♣) a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.

 

(*) Leviticus 12:6 .

(♣) Which offering was appointed to them which were so poor that they were not able to offer a lamb.

 

 25  (5) 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 (i) (*) holy Ghost was upon him.

 

(5) Simeon doth openly in the Temple foretell the death, of the coming of Messiah, of the casting out of the greatest part of Israel, and of the calling of the Gentiles.
(i) He was endued with the gifts of the holy Ghost, and this is spoken by the figure Metonymy.

(*) The Spirit of prophecy.

 

 26 And it was declared to him from God by the holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s (*) Christ.

 

(*) Or, Messiah.

 

 27 And he came (*) by the motion of the Spirit into the Temple, and when the (k) parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the Law,

 

(*) Greek, in the Spirit.

(k) Joseph and Mary; and so he speaketh, as it was commonly taken.

 

 28 Then he took him in his arms, and praised God, and said,

 

 29 Lord, (*) now (l) lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy (m) word,

 

(*) Simeon declareth himself to die willingly since he hath seen the Messiah which was promised.

(l) Lettest me depart out of this life, to be joined to my fathers.
(m) As thou promisedst me.

 

 30 For (n) mine eyes have seen thy (o) (*) salvation,

 

(n) 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.
(o) That, wherein thy salvation is contained.

(*) The mean and substance of salvation.

 

 31 Which thou hast prepared (p) before the face of all people,

 

(p) As a sign set up in a high place, for all men to look upon.

 

 32 A light to (*) be revealed to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

 

(*) Or, for the revelation of.

 

 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 (q) appointed for the (*) (r) (♠) fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a (s) sign which shall be spoken against,

 

(♣) That is, prayed to God for them, and for the prosperity of Christ’s kingdom.

(q) Is appointed and set of God for a mark.
(*) Isaiah 8:14; Romans 9:32; 1 Peter 2:8 .

(r) 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.

(♠) To be the fall of the reprobate which perish through their own default, and raising up of the elect to whom God giveth faith.
(s) That is, a mark, which all men shall strive earnestly to hit.

 

 35 (Yea and a (*) sword shall (t) pierce through thy soul) that the (♣) thoughts of many hearts may be opened.

 

(*) That is, sorrows should pierce her heart, as a sword.

(t) Shall wound and grieve most sharply.

(♣) This chiefly appeareth when the cross is laid upon us, whereby men’s hearts are tried.

 

 36  (6) And there was a Prophetess, one Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser, which was of a great age, and had (*) lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,

 

(6) Another witness beside Simeon, against whom no exception may be brought, inviting all men to the receiving of the Messiah.

(*) She was seven years married.

 

 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.

 

(*) She was continually in the Temple.

 

 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.

 

(*) Or, praised.

 

 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, (u) and was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was with him.

 

                     (u) As Christ grew up in age, so the virtue of his Godhead shewed itself more and more.

 

 41  ¶ (7) Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year, (*) at the feast of the Passover.

 

(7) The Scribes and Pharisees are stirred up to hear the wisdom of Christ in his time, by an extraordinary deed.

(*) Deuteronomy 16:1 .

 

 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 days 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.

 

(*) Or, learned men.

 

 47 And all that heard him, were astonied at his understanding and answers.

 

 48  (8) 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.

 

(8) 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.

 

 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?

 

(*) Our duty to God is to be preserved before the father and mother.

 

 50 But they (*) understood not the word that he spake to them.

 

(*) For his vocation was not yet manifestly known.

 

 51  (9) 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.

 

(9) Christ very man is made like unto us in all things, except sin.

 

 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and men.

 

 

Steve

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