Luke 2:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

NIV: This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

NASB: And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

CSB: This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger."

NLT: And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.'

KJV: And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

NKJV: And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem (Luke 2:6–7). Shortly after, an angel appears to local shepherds to tell them the good news (Luke 2:8–11). That God chose to announce the birth of the Savior (Isaiah 9:6–7) to common men further emphasizes that this is a gospel for the entire world (Luke 2:32).

Scripture does not record the angel telling these men, "go and see the Messiah." Yet his words seem to assume that's what they will do. In fact, by offering a way to recognize Christ, the angel is both permitting and encouraging them to seek Him out. To identify Jesus, the angel tells them how Mary has swaddled her Son and placed Him in a feeding trough. Despite being the prophesied birthplace of the Christ, Bethlehem was never a large town (Micah 5:2). Telling these men to look for a swaddled newborn in a manger was more than enough to bring them to the right location.

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 4/28/2024 8:33:46 PM