Read the Passage: Luke 2:1–20

Jesus’ Birth (2:1–7)

There is roughly a six month gap between Luke chapters one and two, as Mary was about six months behind Elizabeth in her pregnancy (cf. Luke 1:26, 36, 56). As chapter two begins, Luke is careful to date his narrative by referring to Caesar Augustus’ census and Quirinius’ governorship of Syria. Caesar Augustus is Caius Octavius, who was the grandnephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar. Caius reigned from 31 BC to 14 AD and was the first Roman emperor. Caius had supreme power and was responsible for an enforced peace in the empire, known as the pax Romana. The census in view here took place sometime between 6 BC and 4 BC. It was conducted every 14 years and occurred for the purpose of registering males for Roman military service. Since the census was conducted by family, it was required that Joseph travel to Bethlehem, his tribal home.

Luke 2:4 is the first time in the Gospel of Luke that Joseph appears in the narrative (apart from a passing mention of his name at Luke 1:27). Note that Joseph is only mentioned one time in Mark and two times in John, with each of these being trivial citations. Matthew is the Gospel writer who records the most information about Joseph (cf. Matt. 1:18–25). Here in Luke 2:4–7 we learn that despite her pregnancy, Mary was still Joseph’s “betrothed wife” (Luke 2:5). Matthew informs us that Joseph had been told by an angel that Mary’s conception was of God, and that she would give birth to the Messiah. After making the grueling 70-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Luke records that Mary “brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes” (Luke 2:7). Observe that Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem was a fulfillment of Mic. 5:2.

Angels’ Announcement (2:8–14)

While Bethlehem was only 5 miles south of Jerusalem, it was still a small country town surrounded by fields. These fields were filled with grazing sheep, destined to be used as sacrifices in the temple. Shepherds tended these fields year-round and around the clock. Luke 2:8–12 records that at the time of Jesus’ birth an angel of the Lord appeared to these shepherds and declared to them, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Observe the significance of this message, as this is one of only three occasions in the Gospels where Jesus is explicitly referred to as Savior—the others being at Luke 1:47 and John 4:42. Furthermore, note that even though shepherds were viewed as outcasts in Jewish society, they were the first ones (apart from Jesus’ family) to received news about His birth. This angelic message foreshadows the extent of the gospel message.

Luke 2:13 reports that “suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.” This must have been a spectacular sight, as the term “multitude” used here signifies a throng or an extremely large number. Rev. 5:11 records that there are “many angels around the throne [of God] . . . ten thousand times ten thousand.” The idea here is that the angelic host is essentially innumerable. Since the primary vocation of angels is to praise God (cf. Isa. 6:1–3; Rev. 4:6–11), when Jesus was born, a multitude of angels appeared and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Rev. 2:14). Note that while various scriptural glimpses into heaven depict gatherings of angels around God’s throne, angelic assemblies on earth are quite rare. They include the giving of the moral law (cf. Acts 7:53), Jesus’ birth, and Christ’s second coming (cf. Matt. 25:31).

Shepherds’ Visit (2:15–20)

Once the angelic host disappeared, the shepherds logically concluded, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made know to us” (Luke 2:15). While the shepherds may have trekked to Bethlehem partially out of curiosity, it is also likely that they wanted to see the one who was bringing peace and goodwill to men. Observe that the second phrase in Luke 2:14 could also be translated, “Peace to men on whom God’s sovereign pleasure rests.” The term in this verse translated as “peace” refers elsewhere in Scripture to a state of harmony with God—that is, being justified (cf. Luke 7:50; John 14:27; 16:33). Thus, it could be the case that the shepherds wanted to see the one whom the angel of God declared to be “Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11), for these shepherds believed the angel and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ (cf. Luke 2:20).

Application Questions:

1. Given the long-prophesied arrival of the Messiah, how did so many people in the biblical world miss the birth of Jesus?
2. How can we explain the lack of biographical material about Joseph in the Gospel narratives?
3. Of all the people who could have been told about the birth of Jesus, why did God send an angel to inform lowly shepherds?
4. What does the writer of Hebrews mean in teaching that angels are “ministering spirits” (Heb. 1:14) sent forth to help believers?
5. Why is it the case that oftentimes the poor and social outcasts seem to respond more favorably to the gospel than do the rich and powerful?