BIBLE: Luke Chapter 2 – Headline “First, First Born, First Fruit”

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 the 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 1BC 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 2:²This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

6 AD? -12 AD

^{After the banishment of the ethnarch Herod Archelaus in 6 AD, Iudaea (the conglomeration of Samaria, Judea and Idumea) came under direct Roman administration, with Coponius appointed as prefect. At the same time, Quirinius was appointed Legate of Syria, with instructions to assess Iudea Province for taxation purposes. One of his first duties was to carry out a census as part of this order.}

^{Hayes, John Haralson; Mandell, Sara R. (1998). “Chapter 3: The Herodian Period.”. The Jewish people in classical antiquity: from Alexander to Bar Kochba. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press. pp. 153–154. ISBN 978-0-664-25727-9. Retrieved June 13, 2010. Thus in 6 or 7 AD, Augustus commissioned the newly appointed Legate of Syria, Quirinius, to carry out the census}.

^{Erich S. Gruen, “The Expansion of the Empire under Augustus” in The Cambridge Ancient History, Volume X: The Augustan Empire, 43 BC – AD 69, (Cambridge University Press, 1996) pages 157}

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

Luke 2:⁴Joseph 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 2:⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

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

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

Luke 2:⁷And 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, Firstfruits, Birthright

Glory in the Highest

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

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

Luke 2:¹⁰Then 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 2:¹¹For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

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

Luke 2:¹³And 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 2:¹⁵So 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.}

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

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

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

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

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

Circumcision of Jesus

Luke 2:²¹And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb

Jesus Presented in the Temple

Luke 2:²²Now 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

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 2:²⁴and 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 2:²⁵And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Luke 2:²⁶And 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 2:²⁷So 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 2:²⁸he 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 2:³⁰For my eyes have seen Your salvation

Salvation in Hebrew is Yeshua, in Greek it is Jesus.

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

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

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

Luke 2:³⁴Then 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 2:³⁶Now 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;

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

Luke 2:³⁸And 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 2:³⁹So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

Luke 2:⁴⁰And 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 2:⁴¹His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

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

The meaning of the number 12:
- TWELVE: 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 2:⁴³When 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 2:⁴⁴but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

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

Luke 2:⁴⁶Now 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.

^{The Passover Lamb of God will spend three days and three nights in (Paradise) Sheol. From the temple to Sheol (the grave).}

Luke 2:⁴⁷And 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.

Luke 2:⁴⁸So 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 2:⁴⁹And 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 2:⁵⁰But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor