Luke 2

Luke 2:1-7

In this chapter we have, 1. The birth of Christ at Bethlehem. 2. The notifying of his birth to the Shepherds in that neighbourhood by an angel, the song of praise which the angels sing upon that occasion, and the throbbing of the report of it by the Shepherd, ver. 8—20. 3. The circumcision of Christ, and the naming of him, ver. 21. 4. The pretending of him in the temple, ver. 22—24. 5. The testimonies of Simeon and Anna the prophetic concerning him, ver. 25—39. 6. Christ’s growth and pregnancy, ver. 40—52. 7. His abjuvant the payment of twelve years old, and his discourse with the doctors in the temple, ver. 41—51.

1. AND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria) 3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) 5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great 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-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The morning star being arisen, the sun of righteousness cannot be far behind: in the fulness of time God lends forth his Son, born of a woman. We have here,

1. The time of Christ’s birth; in the reign of Augustus Cesar. When he had extended the Roman monarchy to the greater part of the known world, and was now in perfect peace throughout his evil empire, he orders a general constituent to be made through the provinces, that every man, according to his ability, might pay a suitable tax: and this was done under the inspection of Cyrenius, the governor of Syria, with which Judea was joined as one province; so that it evidently appeared the serpent was departed from Judah, by this badge of

Or enspite. Or enspite. Mar. v. 2. Mar. v. 3, 4. Mar. v. 4, 5. Mar. v. 2. Mar. v. 3. f servitude,

servitude, Gen. xlix. 10. the fourth monarchy was now risen to its glory, Dan. ii. 44. and therefore in this time of peace was the proper and appointed period fixed by the ancient prophecies for the appearing of the Prince of peace, the Messiah.

2. The place where Jesus was born; at Bethlehem: whither his parents were obliged to travel, on account of this enrollment, they being of the lineage of David, and therefore called to appear at the seat of their ancestors. Angelfius only meant his own glory and advantage in this matter, but God had designs to serve by him, he knew not: it was thus evident that our Lord sprung from David, and the scripture was fulfilled which fixed his going forth from Bethlehem, Meud. v. 2. By such mysterious ways does God work, accomplishing the purposes of his own will, and making those who least intend it, subservient in his own designs.

3. The wretched circumstances in which Christ came into the world. Though a first-born son, and of royal extradition, not to mention his divine honours, yet was he born in the stable of an age, and his cradle a manger; his parents being in poor as to be unable to procure better accommodations. Thus did the everlasting Father become an infant of days; He who bound up the deep in swaddling bands, was himself heathest as a babe; He whom the heaven, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain, was hid in a manger; He, who in unceased glory on his eternal throne, was the object of adoration to all the angelic holds, is thrust into a stable to dwell among the beads of the earth: So low did he humble himself when he became man for us men and for our salvation, and took the form of a servant, as a palpate to his submitting to the death of a slave.

4. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were see afraid. 10. And the angel laid onto them, fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12. And this shall be a sign unto you, Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and laying, 14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. 15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which 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 babe lying in a manger. 17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18. And all they that heard it, wondered at these things which were told them by the shepherds. 19. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:8-20

Amist the deepest humiliations of Jesus, some bright displays of his unceased glory still broke forth, that we might not humble at the manners of his appearing in the flesh, but he made to confess, truly this is the Son of God. We have here.

1. The appearance of an angelic minister to notify the birth of the Prince of peace; not to the mighty monarchs of the earth, that they should come and pay their homage before the King of kings, and Lord of lords, but to poor shepherds, who were by night watching their flocks. The things that are despised from the beginning hath God chosen. They were employed in their honest calling, and then were favoured with this unexpected visit from above: God will put this honour upon industry. The angel just over them in the air, and the earth shone with his brightness; a divine glory compassed him about, and fear seized their minds at the presence of this celestial messenger. Visits from the unseen world to men, conscious how all they have deserved at God’s hand, may well alarm us, and make even gracious souls afraid.

2. The heavenly visitant soon quieted their troubled minds, saying, Fear not, no danger is near, no evil pretended, but the very contrary; for behold (with wonder and delight attend my message) I bring you good tidings of great joy; the happiest news that ever reached the sinful sons of men, and which shall be to all people; not to the Jews only, but to the Gentiles also, alike interested in this message. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord, the long expected Messiah, the Lord of life and glory, the Saviour to the

uttermost, as you, and all those who come on God by him, and that without him must have been for ever undone. And this shall be a sign unto you, whereby you may assuredly know him, and a strange sign indeed it was; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, the last place surely where they would ever have fought the Messiah, after such a glorious berald had proclaimed his birth and toiles; but the most eminent distinction of God incarnate was his deep humiliation. Note. (1.) If there be a Saviour born, we must look him for ourselves, that we may obtain an interest in him. (2.) None perish in their sins, but they who will not come to him that they may have life; for he is able to live to the العصush all who come to God by him, seeing he is Christ the Lord.

3. Suddenly a multitude of the angels hold joined this celestial messenger, to celebrate the divine glory, and to congratulate the sons of men on this auspicious occasion. The morning stars that sang together, and all those sons of God who shouted for joy to see the world’s foundation laid, now join with greater transport to adore this more transcendent display of the divine benignity in the redemption of sinners by the incarnation of Jehovah. (1.) They ascribe to God glory in the highest; all his divine perfections are to the العصush exalted; his unfaith mercy that moved him to pity sinners; his harpelling widows that contrived, and his Almighty power and grace that accomplished the wondrous means of men’s salvation; his adorable suffices; his manchiefs love; his unchangeable faithfulness to his promises, all shine with peculiar lusts in the redemption which is by Jesus Christ. (2.) They congratulate the sinful sons of Adam on the peace sent down from heaven to earth. Peace with God, as reconciled through his Son; peace in the sinner’s conscience now undisturbed with fears of guilt; peace between the discordant sons of men; and all these blessings in time and eternity purely flowing from God’s good will; not for the sake of any thing in us, but according to his good pleasure, and to the praise of the glory of his grace. If angels sing, shall men be silent! How ought we to echo back the sound; for us, and not for them is this salvation wrought; to us this mercy is extended; most boundless therefore are we for ever to bless and praise the God of all grace for this unthinnable gift, the Son of his love.

4. No sooner had these angelic ministers finished the heavenly song, and returned to their shining realms of bliss, than instantly the shepherds resolved to go and see this wondrous child, fully persuaded of the truth of what they had heard, and acknowledging the distinguishing mercy of God in having thus revealed it unto them: hashing therefore to Bethlehem, they found every circumstance as it had been told them, and the babe lying in the manger. Note. When God sends us on his errands, we should make no delay: all must be left to go where he calls.

5. Fully confirmed in the persuasion that this was the promised Saviour, they failed not to spread the glad tidings, relating all they had seen and heard from the angels, or Mary, concerning this child. And as they were plain and unclogging men, concurred in the same report, were eye and ear-ventures of the facts they asserted, it exceedingly amazed all those to whom they told the story; they knew not how to question the truth, and yet that the Messiah should be born in a stable; that his parents should be present so obscure; that poor shepherds only should be favoured with the notice of his birth, and not the chief priests and rulers of the nation; all these circumstance staggered them. Thus the report was the wonder of a day, and soon died away, and was forgotten; but Mary kept all their things, and pondered them in her heart, comparing them with what had before passed; confirmed thereby in her faith and hope, and silently shining up every circumstance in her memory against some future occasion. More time the shepherds returned to their former occupation, blessing and praising God for what they had heard and seen, so exactly correspondent with all that the angels had told them; and waiting, no doubt, in hope for the day when this child should come to manhood, and publicly appear as Israel’s Saviour.

6. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22. And when the days of her purification, according to 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, Every male that opereth the womb, shall be called holy to the Lord) 24. And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.

Luke 2:21-24

He who was made under the law for us, submitted not only to all the moral precepts, but to the ceremonial institutions.

1. He was circumcised the eighth day, binding himself thereby to the observance of the law; humbling himself to this painful rise, as born in the likeness of sinful flesh; owning himself

of CHINE

of the land. A business, and using the land of the children of God, as under the trillimized land of the common devoid to him. At this time, at usual, his name was also given him, and he was called Jefus, having been so named of the angel before his conception, to signify his glorious character as a Saviour from sin, Satan, death, and hell.

2. He was, at the end of the time appointed for his mother’s purification, or forty days, their purification, as some copies read, Leo. xii. 24. preferred in the temple as holy to the Lord, Exod. xiii. 21. God having reserved to himself the first-born of Israel, in commemoration of his passing them when he flew the Egyptians, and they were to be redeemed at the price of five death, whose Twelve Shillings and Six-pence, Nando. xviii. 16. which his mother also brought an offering for herself, according to the prescription of the same law, a pair of turtle-doves, or young persons, which in case of poverty were accepted instead of a lamb and a dove, Leo. xii. 20-8. the one as a fin-offering of atonement, in testimony of her unquestioned of the mercy she had received; the other as a burnt-offering, expensive of her thankfulness.

3. And behold there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name sent Simeon; and the same man was just and de, won, waiting for the conflation of Israel: and the holy Ghoft was upon him. 26. And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghoft, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Chrift. 27. And he came by the spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jefus, to do for him after the coffers of the law, 28. Then took he him up in his arms, and bleffed God, and said, 29. Lord, now letted thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation: 31. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people: 32. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34. And Simeon bleffed them, and said unto Mary his mother, behold, this child is far far the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against: 35. (Yes, a sword shall pierce through thy own foul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36. And there was one Anna a prophecies, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Akers; she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity: 37. And she was a widow of about fourfence and four years: which departed not from the temple, but served God with tailings and prayers eighs and day. 38. And she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and juke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

c. 37-38. Amidst all the meanness and poverty of Jefus, very glorious were the testimonies born to him from heaven and upon earth. We have here,

1. The public declarations of Simeon; a man, it seems, of distinguished note in Jerusalem, who just then came, by divine direction, into the temple.

[1.] The account here given concerning him is greatly to his honour. He was just, towards men, and devoid, eminently religious toward God, waiting in faith and patience for the conflation of Israel, the promised Messiah; whose coming in the flesh was to be the great joy of all his people, Gentiles as well as Jews, the time of whose appearing, fixed in the prophetic writings, was now at hand: and the Holy Ghoft was upon him, not only as a spirit of holiness, but as a spirit of prophecy. And it was revealed unto him by the secret inspirations of the Holy Ghoft, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ, whom his eyes should behold before they were closed in the duft. And accordingly, just at that instant, he came by the spirit into the temple, under some divine warning of what was doing there: and when the parents brought in the child Jefus, to do for him after the coffers of the law, to present him to the Lord, and pay the price of redemption, then took he him up in his arms, in a transport of joy, as having found him whom he had so long and so earnestly expected; and bleffed God, and broke forth into the following prophetic long of praise. Note, (1.) We must not be weary of waiting; though the Lord may for a while exercise our patience, all his promises are true. (2.) Christ is the conflation of his Israel, he makes all those happy who by faith embrace him. (3.) They who have Jefus in their arms, in their hearts, can look death in the face with confidence.

[2.] His discourse on this occasion was solemn and joyful. He said, Lord, now letted thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, farewell life, welcome death! He is now content to be gone, since God hath thus graciously fulfilled his

promise to him, and cheerfully resigns his soul in confidence of exchanging a perfusing world for an eternity of glory. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, that Messiah, who is come to be the author of eternal salvation to his redeemed; which thus had prepared before the face of all people, provided according to the eternal country, and now manifested in the flesh to accomplish the glorious work; A light to lighten the Gentiles, who have long sat in darkness, ignorance, and idolatry, but now shall be made partakers of the light of truth and the grace of the gospel, and the glory of thy people Israel, among whom his personal ministry was employed; who were spectators of his miracles; from whom he descended after the flesh; by whom, as his apostles and evangelists, he first propagated the knowledge of his salvation; and in him all the spiritual Israel are justified, and shall glory, life. xix. 25. Note, (1.) A believing light of Christ, and of the great things he hath prepared for his people, will not only enable us to overcome the terrors of death, but to triumph in its approach. (2.) We may not leave our post till the Lord grants us out, dismiss, our time is in his hand; whilst he hath work for us to do, we must be content to be here, till he calls us to depart, and he with Christ, which is far better. (3.) Christ is the son of righteousness; there is nothing but darkness and death in the spiritual world, till he arises with healing in his wings.

[3.] Simeon concludes with his benediction on the parents of Jefus, and a prediction for their notice. They marvelled at these transcendently glorious testimonies which were born to their infant son, whilst Simeon congratulated them on their distinguished felicity, and prayed that the best of blessings might descend upon them. He blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, as more especially the parent of Jefus, and interred in what he was about to say, behold, with wonder and confidence of the truth which I declare, this child is far far the full and rising again of many in Israel; he will be to many native Jews at those of thundling, and a rock of offence, for, viz. 14-17, whilst by his power and grace others shall be called up to newness of life, even many who at first were offended at him; and he shall quicken all his spiritual Israel throughout the world, and bring them to a state of happiness and glory; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; his humiliation and sufferings will give a handle to his perishments to blaspheme and revile him; see, and so bitter will the country be against him, that it will extend to all his relations and friends, a fairest shall prove through thy own zeal also, such anguish and pain you will endure from the view of his infants and sufferings, and those you may be called to endure for the protection of your faith in him, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed, these times of persecution most effectually serving to discover the faithful disciples from the hypocrites and apostates. Note, (1.) The same gospel is to some the favour of death unto death, which to others is the favour of life unto life. (2.) They whom Jefus raites, must feel he laid how in the dust of humiliation. (3.) All our comforts in this world have some bitterness annexed to them, we must look only for perfect happiness in a better.

2. Anna the prophecies confirms, just at the same instant, what Simeon had spoken concerning the glory of the child Jefus.

[1.] Her person and character are described. Her name was Anna, whom the Lord had endowed with a spirit of prophecy. She was the daughter of Phanuel, a person probably of some note, and of the tribe of Akers; a very aged woman, having lived seven years with a husband, and ever since continued a widow of about eighty-four years; a great age, of comprehending the whole of her life; but if reckoned as her years of widowhood, will carry her age at lowest to above a hundred years. Yet though so old, she constantly attended the stated worship of the temple morning and evening, and on all solemn occasions; and was much in falling and prayer, a singular influence of piety and devotion.

[2.] Her testimony concerning Jefus is recorded. Just at the instant that Simeon was discoursing concerning him, she came in; and with thanksgiving and praise to the Lord, confirmed what he had spoken concerning this child. And among all her religious acquaintance, who were expecting the Messiah’s appearing, and looking for his redemption, the spake of the Sun of Mary, as the person raised up of God for this great design. Note, (1.) They who are constant at the temple, and careful to keep up communion with God, will find many a blessed and happy visit from him which they perhaps little expected. (2.) They who know Jefus themselves, are in duty bound to spread that knowledge far and wide, and to endeavour to bring others to an acquaintance with his salvation.

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, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him. 41. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the past, and when he was twelve years old,

40. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus carried behind in Jerusalem;

and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44. But they supposing him to have been in the company, went a days journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and among their acquaintance. 45. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46. And it came to pass, that after three days 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 astonished at his understanding and answers. 48. And 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 forrowing. 49. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? will ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50. And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

Luke 2:39-52

Our curiosity might have tempted us to wish for some more large and particular accounts of the infancy and childhood of Jesus; but as till his public appearance in the character of the Messiah we had no particular need of it, all that the Holy Ghost hath been pleased to record of the first twenty-nine years of his life, is contained in these few verses; where some beams of his glory, even from his earliest days, are seen to break forth, as presages of his future greatness.

1. After he was presented in the temple, till twelve years of age, he for the most part lived with his parents at Nazareth, whither they were directed to go, after their return from Egypt, Met. ii. There he grew up as other children do; and as his stature increased, and reason began to dawn, he displayed the most uncommon natural abilities; was endowed with wisdom far beyond his years; and instead of that foolishness which is bound up in the heart of all other children, and immediately begins to discover itself with the first dawnings of sense, in him nothing was seen of folly or perseverance. The grace of God eminently governed his spirit and conduct from his tenderest years, and the favour of God towards him appeared most evident and singular.

2. At the age of twelve, he gave some amazing evidences of his extraordinary wisdom, and some intimations of the great work he had in view.

[1.] At this time he went up to Jerusalem with his parents to the past, where all the males, from that age, were commanded to appear to celebrate this solemnity. Nate, it is highly incumbent on parents to acquaint their children because with their covenant relation to God, and to endeavour to engage them early, with their own free choice, to surrender themselves up to him as his willing servants.

[2.] When they had stayed during the seven days of the feast, and then sat out on their return for Nazareth, the child Jesus carried behind in Jerusalem; probably when they went up to worship, on the morning before they proceeded on their journey, he left them in the temple; and as the men and women travelled in different companies, each of his parents supposed he had been with the other, or with some of their kinsfolk; great numbers of which travelled together, till at even, when they met, on their surprise they missed their Son; and after a fruitless search among all their kinsfolk and acquaintance, they turned back to Jerusalem in the morning to seek for him. Nate, (1.) They who have lost the presence of Jesus, after having ever tailed the blessedness of his company, cannot but be solicitous to find him again, and will enquire earnestly, Sour ye him whom my soul breath? (2.) Our kinsfolk and acquaintance are too often unable to direct us to Jesus, we must go farther for our information.

[3.] At last they found him on the third day in the temple, in one of the chambers, probably where the Sanhedrim sat, or where the wise men instructed their catechumens; there Jesus was, among other young persons, hearing their discourses, answering their questions with the most amazing acuteness, and proposing others to them, which shewed uncommon wisdom and penetration, informeth that they were all astonished at the sagacity of his replies, and the depth of his understanding, so exceedingly beyond his years; and such as made him appear worthy a place among the highest rabbits, instead of a seat at their feet as a catechumen.

[4.] Having found him, they were amazed to see him thus admired and esteemed by the doctors; and his mother began entirely to repudiate with him on his stay, which had given them such anxiety and grief; but he greatly rebukes her folli-

citude, who, after all that had passed, ought not to be surprised at finding him there. When should he be so properly as in the courts of his Father’s house, and what so far an employment for him, as to be thus about his Father’s business? But they understood not his meaning: his regal office, as the Messiah, the son of David, they believed; but his prophecies character, and the nature of his spiritual kingdom, they seem not yet to have known.

3. He returned to Nazareth, submitting to his parents in every instance of blind duty, and his mother stored up his sayings in her mind; expecting, that though the now understood them not, hereafter they would be explained more fully. Till he was near thirty years of age, he continued in this obscure abode, and under the government of his parents, probably working as a carpenter for their maintenance and his own: and as he advanced to manhood, his attainments in wisdom and understanding were amazing, his faculties most enlarged, and his soul filled with all those gifts and greens which the human nature, by its union with the divine, was prepared to receive. Thus he grew highly in God’s favour, and admired and esteemed by all who were acquainted with his singular excellence. Nate, (1.) Let children, when grown up, learn of Jesus’ instruction to their parents; that is a duty we must ever pay. (2.) Though the truths of God which we are taught may not at first be understood by us, yet the knowledge of them will prove highly useful, when afterwards God gives the spiritual understanding. (3.) Those children are indeed their parents glory and joy, whose wisdom and grace increase with their years, and exceed them.