Luke 2:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

NIV: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

NASB: for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

CSB: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

NLT: The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

KJV: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

NKJV: For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

This is one of the Bible's most often-quoted verses. As part of the "nativity story" (Luke 2:1–16), these words are frequently read aloud during the Christmas season as the world celebrates the birth of Jesus. This message is spoken to common shepherds (Luke 2:8), shortly after Mary gave birth to Christ (Luke 2:6–7), in the very place predicted by prophecy (Micah 5:2). The One just born is the promised Savior (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7), whose arrival is truly good news for the entire world (Luke 2:9–10).

As part of this message, the angel will tell the shepherds where to find this newborn Jesus (Luke 2:12). The once-terrified men will then be treated to the sight and sound of numerous angels praising God (Luke 2:13–14).

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 5/2/2024 5:51:15 AM