Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

Luke 2

What should I learn from this chapter?

• The timing of historical events
• Augustus and Quirinius of Syria
• The prophecies at the temple
• Jesus at 12 yrs of age
• The understanding of scripture by Jesus
• The circumcision of Jesus

Christ Born of Mary

Luke 2:¹ And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

• Augustus: ruled from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. Jesus was born either 1 BC or 1 AD. See Luke chapter 1.

^{Caesar August Recreated with CGI Technology:
https://historycollection.com/cgi-technology-reveals-what-these-historic-figures-looked-like/11/}

►Augustus reigned from 27 BC to 14 AD (Died August 19, 14 AD)

►Side Note: The month of August (Latin: Augustus) is named after Augustus. Before then it was called Sextilis (named so because it had been the sixth month of the original Roman calendar and the Latin word for six is sex).

Luke 2:² This census first took place while Quirinius (6 AD? – 12 AD) was governing Syria.

• The dates for Herod the Great have caused confusion for scholars. This confusion may also affect the years given Quirinius.

• It is also argued the translation could read BEFORE Quirinius was governing Syria.

Luke 2:³ So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Luke 2:⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

• Joseph was in the lineage to the Davidic Throne.

Luke 2:⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

• Scripture makes a point to note that Mary is Joseph’s “betrothed” wife referring to Jesus’ virgin birth.

Luke 2:⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

Luke 2:⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a (feed trough) manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

• The firstborn male which opens the womb is holy to the Lord and must be redeemed with a sacrifice of turtle doves or pigeons.
• See: Topic: First, Firstborn, First fruits, Birthright

Glory in the Highest

Luke 2:⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luke 2:⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Luke 2:¹⁰ 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.

Luke 2:¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ (Messiah) the Lord.

Luke 2:¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger (feed trough).”

Luke 2:¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

Luke 2:¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Luke 2:¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

• King David was born in Bethlehem.
• “This thing” is the announcement of the arrival of the foretold Messiah.

Luke 2:¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Luke 2:¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

Luke 2:¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Luke 2:¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

• Every time I read the scripture, the words are the same … but I am not.

Luke 2:²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

• The shepherds were the first evangelists.

Circumcision of Jesus

Luke 2:²¹ And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus (Literally meaning “Salvation”), the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

Luke 2:²² Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord –

• Leviticus 12:4
  She shall then continue in the blood of her purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are fulfilled.

Luke 2:²³ (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),

Luke 2:²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon Sees God’s Salvation

Luke 2:²⁵ And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel (the Messiah), and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Luke 2:²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Luke 2:²⁷ So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,

Luke 2:²⁸ he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

Luke 2:²⁹ “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;

Luke 2:³⁰ For my eyes have seen Your salvation

• The word “Salvation” in Hebrew is Yeshua, in Greek it is Jesus.

Luke 2:³¹ Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

Luke 2:³² A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

• Simeon understood Jesus didn’t just come for salvation for the Jews but for the Gentiles as well. A truth the Jewish leaders did not understand.

Luke 2:³³ And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.

Luke 2:³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against

Luke 2:³⁵ (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

Luke 2:³⁶ Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

• The meaning of the name Phanuel = “the face of God”
  
• THE SIX PROPHETESS’ MENTIONED IN SCRIPTURE:
  • Miriam Exodus 15:20
  • Deborah, judge of Israel, wife of Lapidoth Judges 4:4
  • Huldah, wife of Shallum II Kings 22:14, II Chronicles 34:22
  • Noadiah, Nehemiah 6:14
  • The unnamed wife of Isaiah, Isaiah 8:3 who bore a son and named him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (Lit. Speed the Spoil, Hasten the Booty)
  • Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. Luke 2:36. She identified the Messiah.
    
• The Tribe of Asher was best known for its olive oil production. Olive oil was used in foods and was a rich and flavorful oil, so trading it brought the tribe wealth. However, olive oil was also used in religious rituals, particularly in sacred anointments (priests, prophets, and kings), so the oil brought financial and religious prosperity.
  Tribe of Asher
  
• The literal meaning of the number seven is “oath/covenant/treaty”. The symbolic meaning of the number seven is “completion/perfection”.

Luke 2:³⁷ and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years (or: until she was eighty-four), who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Luke 2:³⁸ And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth

Luke 2:³⁹ So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

• The meaning of the name Nazareth = “the guarded one”

Luke 2:⁴⁰ And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars

Luke 2:⁴¹ His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

Luke 2:⁴² And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

• A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony for Jewish boys and girls when they reach the age of 12 or 13. This ceremony marks the time when a boy or girl becomes a Jewish adult. This means that they are now responsible for their own actions and can decide for themselves how they would like to practice Judaism.
  The Jewish Museum
  
• The symbolic meaning of the number 12:
  • TWELVE is the number for Government Perfection
    • The twelve disciples
    • The twelve tribes
    • Twelve palm trees
    • Jacob’s twelve sons
    • Ishmael, who was born to Abraham through Hagar, also had twelve sons.
    • Twelve months in a year
    • Solomon appointed twelve officers over Israel.

Luke 2:⁴³ When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And (His parents) Joseph and His mother did not know it;

Luke 2:⁴⁴ but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

Luke 2:⁴⁵ So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

Luke 2:⁴⁶ Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

• 
• Jesus spent three Roman days teaching in the temple prior to His crucifixion on the Jewish Passover Feast and three Roman days after Passover for a total of seven days. These would be considered Jesus’ seven days of affliction after His triumphal Entry and before His Resurrection. A good argument to explain why Daniel’s 70th “week” will last seven years, known as the Seven-Year tribulation.
  
  When the Hebrews refused to enter the promised land at Kadesh Barnea God gave them one year of wandering in the wilderness for each day of disobedience.
  
  • Deuteronomy 9:23
    Likewise, when the Lord sent you from Kadesh Barnea, saying, ‘Go up and possess the land which I have given you,’ then you rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God, and you did not believe Him nor obey His voice.
  • Numbers 14:34
    According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection.
    

Luke 2:⁴⁷ And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

• The future Passover Lamb, spoke to the scholars about the meaning of the Passover.
  • John 1:29
    The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Luke 2:⁴⁸ So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

Luke 2:⁴⁹ And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

• He already knew who He was…..The Passover Lamb.

Luke 2:⁵⁰ But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

Luke 2:⁵¹ Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject (obedient) to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

Luke 2:⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

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