Luke 2

1. Christ is born at Bethlehem. 8. land his birth made known by an Angel to the Shepherds. 13. for which the heavenly hosts praise God with an hymn. 15. the shepherds go to Bethlehem to see the child, and having spread abroad that which was told them thereof, return again. 21. The child is circumcised and called Jesus. 22. Presented to the Lord in the Temple. 25. where Simeon received him in his arms, and after an hymn prophesied of him. 36. The like doth Anna the Prophetess. 41. Christ being twelve years old, goeth with his parents to Jerusalem. 45. Is found by them in the Temple among the Doctors. 51. returned to Nazareth, and is subject to his parents, and increased in wisdom, stature and grace.

1. And it came to pass in those same days [Namely, while Mary went with child] that there went forth a command from the Emperor Augustus, [this was the second Roman Emperor succeeding Julius Caesar the first: and under his government the Roman Empire was in its greatest power and quiet: he reigned about fifty six years; and this came to pass about the two and fortieth year of his empire] that the whole world, [Gr. All the inhabited: namely, world, which must be understood as far as the Roman Empire then extended itself] Should be enrolled. [namely, thereby to know the multitude of subjects of the Roman Empire, and their abilities, that every one might be taxed according to the same.]

2. This first enrolling happened [This enrolling is called the first, in respect of another which happened afterwards; whereof mention is made, Acts 5:37. and by Josephus Antiquit. Lib. 18. cap. 1.] when Cyrenius [This man in the Roman histories is called Zutrinus, who was governor over whole Syria, whereof Judea at that time was a part] was governor of Syria.

3. And they went all to be enrolled, every one to his own City. [Namely, from whence he descended, and where those of his family dwelt.]

4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the City Nazareth into Judea, into the City of David which is called Bethlehem, [Of this City see Micah 5:1. Matth. 2. 1. and is called the City of David, because there David was born and brought up. 1 Samuel 17. ver. 1. 2. John 7:42.] (Because he was of the house and family of David.)

5. To be enrolled with Marie his betrothed wife, [It is very credible that Joseph had now taken her to him, according to the command of the Angel Matth. 1. 20. but is now notwithstanding here still called betrothed, because she lived so with him, as if she had been but betrothed] who was with child.

6. And it came to pass while they were there, that the days were fulfilled that she should bring forth.

7. And she brought forth her first-born son, [See hereof Matth. 1. ver. 25.] and swathed him, [Gr. Or wrapped him in swathing-hands] and laid him down in the manger, because there was no place for then in the Inn.

8. And there were shepherds in that same country, abiding in the field, and kept the night watch over their stock.

9. And so, an Angel of the Lord stood by them, [Namely unexpected and suddenly, as the Greek word imports] and the glory of the Lord [that is, a divine luster and brightness] shined round about them, and they feared with a great fear.

10. And the Angel said unto them fear not, for behold I publish unto you [Gr. Evangelize that is, declare glad tidings] great joy, which shall be to all the people. [Namely, Gods people, see Matth. 1. 21.]

11. [Namely] that to day is born to you the Saviour, which is Christ [or, the anointed] the Lord, in the City of David.

12. And this shall be the sign unto you, [Namely, whereby ye shall know the child, and find that to be true which I declare unto you] ye shall find the babe wrapped in swathing bands, and lying in the manger.

13. And immediately [there] was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host [That is, of the angels which are as an host of the Lord, by which he defends the good and punisheth the bad. Psal. 34. 8. and 103. 21.] praising God and saying,

14. Honour [Or, glory] [be] to God in the highest [heavens] and peace on earth, [namely, with God, Romans 5:1.] in men a good pleasure. [That is, the good pleasure of God be fulfilled by him towards men. 2. Thess. 1. 11. Others of the good pleasure. i.e. in the men which God hath chosen according to his good pleasure. Eph. 1, 5.]

15. And it came to pass when the Angels were passed away from them [Gr. Gone-away] towards heaven, that the shepherds, [Gr. The men the shepherds] said one to another, Let us now go unto Bethlehem, and let us see the word, [That is, the whole matter. Hebr.] that there 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 child lying in the manger.

17. And when they had seen it, they made known all about, the word that was told them concerning this child.

18. And all that beard it wondered at that which was told them by the shepherds.

19. But Mary kept these words all together, pondering [them] in her heart. [or, Comparing them with the other, namely, which before was revealed to her, and came to pass hereabout, chapter 1.]

20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, as it was spoken unto them.

21. And when eight days were fulfilled [That is, when the eighth day was come. See Acts 2:1.] that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus. [See hereof and of the interpretation of this name, Matth. 1. ver. 21.] which was named by the Angel, before he was conceived in the womb.

22. And when the days of her [Namely, marries] purification were fulfilled, according to the Law of Moses. [See concerning this law, Levi. 12. 2. 4.] they brought him to Jerusalem, that they might present [him] to the Lord.

23. As it is written in the Law of the Lord, All that is male [Namely, as well of men as of beasts. Exodus 13:2. Numb. 18. ver. 15. 16. 17.] which opened the matrix, shall be called holy to the Lord.) [namely, either to be offered up, if they were clean beasts, or to be redeemed for five Shekels, if it might not according to the law be offered up.]

24. And that they might give offerings, according to that which is said in the Law of the Lord, [see Levit. 12. 6. 8. where thus it is ordained for mean persons: for the rich must offer up a Lamb of a year old, with a turtle dove or young pigeon: the lamb for a burnt-offering, and the dove for a sin offering] a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.

25. And behold, there was a man at Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and fearing God, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the holy Ghost was upon him. [Namely, the Spirit of (Prophesy)]

26. And to him a divine revelation was made by the holy Ghost, that he should not see death, [That is, not die] before he should see the Christ of the Lord.

27. And he came by the Spirit into the Temple: And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do with according to the custom of the Law: [Gr. According to the usual (manner :) whereof is spoken before.]

28. Then took he the same in his arms, and praised god. [Gr. blessed] and said,

29. Now Lord lettest thou [Gr. Loosest, lettest loose, namely from this miserable life according to thy promise. See the like, Philippians 1:23.] thy servant go in peace, according to thy word.

30. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation [Or, thy saving i.e. Savior, and that whereby Salvation is brought about. See Esa. 52. ver. 10. and Luke 3:6.]

31. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all the Nations. [Namely, as well Gentiles as Jews, as followeth.]

32. A light for enlightening [Gr. Revelation.] of the Gentiles, and for the glory of thy people Israel.

33. And Joseph and his mother marveled at that which was said by him.

34. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, behold this (child) is set [That is, ordained, namely by God. These words are taken out of Isa. 8. verse 14. and are expounded by Paul, Rom. 9. ver. 32. 33. 1. Cor. 1. ver. 23, 24. and 2. Cor. 2. ver. 16. 1. Pet. 2. v. 6. 7. See the Annot. There] for a fall and resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign [namely, as a mark at which every one aymes and shoots] that shall be spoken against.

35. And also a sword [That is, bitter pains especially for the suffering and death of this thy Son] shall go through thine own soul) that the thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. [That is, their belief, or unbelief shall be brought to light see 1 Corinthians 11:19]

36. And there was Anna a prophetess a daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of the Asar she was come to great age [Gr to many days] who had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.

37. And she was a widow for about eighty four years who stirred not out of the temple [that is continually or daily in the temple] with fasting and prayer serving God night and day.

38. And she coming to them at the same hour b in like manner confessed the Lord [that is acknowledged and witnessed that he was the expected Messiah] and spake of him unto all that looked for redemption [namely which was promised should com to pass by the Messiah] in Jerusalem.

39. And when they had finished all things that according to the law of the Lord was [to be done] they returned again into Galilee unto their city Nazareth

40. And the child grew up and was strengthened [the same Luke 1:80 is also said by John but Christ received these gifts not by measure John 3:34] in the spirit and filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him.

41. And his parents traveled every year to Jerusalem [namely according to the command of God Deuteronomy 16:16] at the feast of the Passover.

42. And when he was become twelve years old and they were gone up to Jerusalem according to the custome of the feast day.

43. And had finished the days there when they returned the child Jesus carried at Jerusalem and Joseph and his mother knew it not.

44. But thinking that he was in the company [namely of those that returned with them to Nazareth for the Jews went up to the great feast and returned in great companies together Psalms 42:5] on the way the went a days journey and sought him among the kindred and among the acquaintance

45. And when they found him not they went to Jerusalem seeking him.

46. And it came to pass after three days that they found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers hearing them and enquiring of them.

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

48. And they [namely Joseph and Mary] seeing him were struck with amazement [namely because they say that he being a child had yet undertaken to speak and to deal with such great doctors] and his mother said unto him child why hast thou done thus to us behold thy father [namely Joseph Mary speaks according to the opinion of the Jews Luke 3:28 or because a foster-father useth to be called by the name father] and I have fought thee with grief [Gr being grieved or distressed]

49. And he said unto them why is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be in the things of my father [namely which God my heavenly father hath commandeth me and for which I am sent by him into the world .]

50. And they understood not the word that he spake unto them.

51. And when he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them [namely like as the children are bound to be obedient to their parents according to the law to which he had subjected himself] and his mother kept all these things [Gr word] in her heart

52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature [or in age of the Greek word signifies both Luke 19:3 John 9:21,28] and his grace with God and man .