Luke 2:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

NIV: Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

NASB: And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying,

CSB: Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

NLT: Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God and saying,

KJV: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

NKJV: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:6–7), an angel appeared to proclaim the good news to common shepherds (Luke 2:8–12). The men were terrified before being comforted by the angel's explanation. His appearance to them, most likely, was meant to emphasize God's intent to spread to gospel to all people, and to value even the least-valued people of the world to do it (1 Corinthians 1:26–29). The message is extraordinarily important, and a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; Micah 5:2).

Now, the shepherds are privileged to see an enormous number of angels, all at once, praising God. The Greek root word used to describe this gathering is the same from which we derive the English word "plethora." Their song (Luke 2:14) celebrates God's glory and the peace which the Savior brings to those who believe (John 3:16–18).

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 9:39:18 AM