21 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus , that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth . 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria . 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census , each to his own city . 4 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 along with Mary , who was engaged to him, and was with child . 6 While they were there , the days were completed for her to give birth . 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son ; and she wrapped Him in cloths , and laid Him in a manger , because there was no room for them in the inn .
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night . 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord 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 all the people ; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior , who is Christ the Lord . 12 " This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger ." 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying , 14 " Glory to God in the highest , And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased ." 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven , the shepherds began saying to one another , "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then , and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph , and the baby as He lay in the manger . 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child . 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds . 19 But Mary treasured all these things , pondering them in her heart . 20 The shepherds went back , glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen , just as had been told them.
21 And when eight days had passed , before His circumcision , His name was then called Jesus , the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb . 22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed , they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord , " EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE Lord "), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord , " A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 2:1-24
Commentary on Luke 2:1-7
(Read Luke 2:1-7)
The fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law. The circumstances of his birth were very mean. Christ was born at an inn; he came into the world to sojourn here for awhile, as at an inn, and to teach us to do likewise. We are become by sin like an outcast infant, helpless and forlorn; and such a one was Christ. He well knew how unwilling we are to be meanly lodged, clothed, or fed; how we desire to have our children decorated and indulged; how apt the poor are to envy the rich, and how prone the rich to disdain the poor. But when we by faith view the Son of God being made man and lying in a manger, our vanity, ambition, and envy are checked. We cannot, with this object rightly before us, seek great things for ourselves or our children.
Commentary on Luke 2:8-20
(Read Luke 2:8-20)
Angels were heralds of the new-born Saviour, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who were in the business of their calling, keeping watch over their flock. We are not out of the way of Divine visits, when we are employed in an honest calling, and abide with God in it. Let God have the honour of this work; Glory to God in the highest. God's good-will to men, manifested in sending the Messiah, redounds to his praise. Other works of God are for his glory, but the redemption of the world is for his glory in the highest. God's goodwill in sending the Messiah, brought peace into this lower world. Peace is here put for all that good which flows to us from Christ's taking our nature upon him. This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men, is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth. The shepherds lost no time, but came with haste to the place. They were satisfied, and made known abroad concerning this child, that he was the Saviour, even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed and thought upon all these things, which were so suited to enliven her holy affections. We should be more delivered from errors in judgment and practice, did we more fully ponder these things in our hearts. It is still proclaimed in our ears that to us is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord. These should be glad tidings to all.
Commentary on Luke 2:21-24
(Read Luke 2:21-24)
Our Lord Jesus was not born in sin, and did not need that mortification of a corrupt nature, or that renewal unto holiness, which were signified by circumcision. This ordinance was, in his case, a pledge of his future perfect obedience to the whole law, in the midst of sufferings and temptations, even unto death for us. At the end of forty days, Mary went up to the temple to offer the appointed sacrifices for her purification. Joseph also presented the holy child Jesus, because, as a first-born son, he was to be presented to the Lord, and redeemed according to the law. Let us present our children to the Lord who gave them to us, beseeching him to redeem them from sin and death, and make them holy to himself.