Luke 2:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

NIV: But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

NASB: And so 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;

CSB: But the angel said to them, "Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

NLT: but the angel reassured them. 'Don’t be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

KJV: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

NKJV: Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

Shortly after Mary gave birth to Jesus (Luke 2:6–7), an angel appeared to local shepherds (Luke 2:8–9). This terrified the men, at first, but here the angel speaks reassurance. What the prophets of the Old Testament predicted (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; Micah 5:2) has come to pass.

The angel pointedly notes that this announcement is for "all the people." God seems to be highlighting that fact by speaking first to common shepherds—not kings, scholars, or warlords. Those the world values least are often those whom God both speaks to and speaks through (1 Corinthians 1:26–29). When Jesus is circumcised and dedicated at the temple, the prophet Simeon will note that Christ's ministry will extend beyond even the nation of Israel, to the entire world (Luke 2:32).

Luke 2:8–21 describes shepherds who are visited by numerous angels. These beings proclaim the birth of Christ and explain where He can be found. The men follow the angels' directions and find Jesus, Joseph, and Mary just as predicted. Jesus' family celebrates these events, as God continues to use simple people to proclaim His most important truths. When Jesus is eight days old, in accordance with Jewish tradition, he is circumcised and officially given His prophesied name.

The early part of this chapter is famously read at Christmas, while celebrating the birth of Jesus. Luke gives a relatively brief description of how Mary came to give birth in a stable, laying Jesus in a feeding trough. Nearby shepherds are informed of the news by multiple angels. Two people speak in praise of God at Jesus' circumcision. Years later, Joseph and Mary lose track of Jesus on the way back from Jerusalem, only to find Him astounding teachers in the temple with His wisdom.

Luke began his well-organized account by explaining the conceptions of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist, in chapter 1. In chapter 2, he briefly summarizes Jesus' birth and the arrival of shepherds directed by angels. Prophecies and prayers celebrate His dedication at the temple. After briefly losing track of a twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple, Jesus' parents take Him home to Nazareth. There, He grows up relatively normally. Chapter 3 leaps forward many years to the beginning of John the Baptist's preaching. This is followed by Jesus' genealogy. Chapter 4 relates Jesus' temptations by Satan and the start of His public ministry.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 11/23/2024 4:15:39 PM