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Luke Chapter
Two
I. Content of the Chapter
The Birth and Growing up of the Son of Man
the Savior
I. The time and circumstance of His birth (v.1-7).
II. The preaching of Glad tidings of the angel and
the praise of shepherds (v.8-20).
III. His being circumcised and being devoted to God
(v.21-24).
IV. The praise of Simeon and the saying of a
prophetess
Anna (v.25-38).
V. His growing up of the childhood and the event that
He was in the temple when He was twelve years old (v.39-52).
II. Verse by Verse commentary
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.”
YLT: “And it came to pass in those days
there went
forth a decree from Caesar Augustus
that all the world be enrolled”
Meaning of Words: “all the world”: the
whole habitable earth.
The Background:
“Caesar Augustus” was the first emperor of the
Roman Empire and he ruled the
Literal Meaning: “all the world
should be registered” “all the world” indicates the bound in the dominion of
the Roman Empire at that time”; “be registered” is equal to the present popular
census and the aim is for conscription and taxation at that time.
Caesar originally wanted to show his
supremacy through this behavior. Unexpectedly
this behavior fulfilled the plan
of God. In order to be registered
Joseph and Mary had to come to
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Everything that happens to us is of the
well-pleasing thoughts of God (See Matt. 11:26).
2) All the authorities on earth are the tools in
the hand of God (See Prov. 21:1) to show His marvelous works and fulfill His
will.
Luke. 2:2 “This census first took
place while Quirinius was governing
YLT: “this enrollment first came to pass when Cyrenius
was governor of
The Background:
according to the research of Joseph the
Jewish historian
people at that time had to be registered every fourteen
years. Quirinius had been the governor of
The year of the birth of the Lord Jesus
was reckoned wrong by men so that it had been reckoned four to six years later
at least concerning the beginning of an ear that is used universally. Therefore
the actual year of His birth was in agreement with the history of this verse.
Literal Meaning: “was governing
Luke. 2:3 “So all went to be
registered
everyone to his own city.”
YLT: “and all were going to be enrolled
each to his
proper city
”
Literal Meaning: “everyone to his own
city” indicates that everyone returns to his registered ancestral home town.
Luke. 2:4 “Joseph also went up from
Galilee
out of the city of
YLT: “and Joseph also went up from Galilee
out of the
city of
Literal Meaning: “Joseph also went up
from Galilee” Judea was in the south of
“The city of
“He was of the house and lineage of
David.” Joseph was the lineage of David the royalty (See Matt. 1:6-16).
Luke. 2:5 “to be registered with
Mary
his betrothed wife
who was with child.”
YLT: “to enroll himself with Mary his betrothed wife
being with child.”
Literal Meaning: “to be registered
with Mary
his betrothed wife” “betrothed wife” indicated the fiancée who had
been engaged; at that time
though they did not have the reality of husband and
wife
they had the role of husband and wife and they were obliged to keep their
virginities. If the fiancée committed adultery
she would be stoned to death by
her fiancé (See Deut. 22: 23-24).
“Who was with child” “with child”
indicates that it is close to the circumnatal
period (See v.6). In ancient times women who were with child probably worked
and traveled as usual.
Luke. 2:6 “So it was
that while
they were there
the days were completed for her to be delivered.”
YLT: “And it came to pass
in their being there
the
days were fulfilled for her bringing forth
”
Literal Meaning: “while they were
there” indicates the time that they stayed in
Luke. 2:7 “And she brought forth her
firstborn Son
and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths
and laid Him in a manger
because there was no room for them in the inn.”
YLT: “and she brought forth her son the first-born
and
wrapped him up
and laid him down in the manger
because there was not for them
a place in the guest-chamber.”
The Background:
at that time
there were many people seeking
temporary lodging in order to be registered and the inns were full and the overcrowdedness
even caused trouble. Therefore the boss of inns made the livestock sheds open
to the poor travelers for their lodging.
Literal Meaning: “laid Him in a
manger” “a manger” was the crib that was made up of boards with nails to
contain fodder of animals. It was a little bigger than a baby and it happened
to be a bed to for the baby.
Spiritual Meaning: this verse is a
picture of typification
showing how the world dealt with Christ------the
hearts of the world were chocked with cares of this life (See 8:14) and there
was no room for Him so that He was dealt with badly -----He was laid in a
manger.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The foxes have holes
and the birds of the air
have nests; but the Son of Man does not have where to lay His head (Matt.
8:20).
2) The only place in this world that accepts the
Lord Jesus is the cross; since the world deal with the Lord this way
we should
not hope to be dealt with better by the world.
Luke. 2:8 “Now there were in the
same country shepherds living out in the fields
keeping watch over their flock
by night.”
YLT: “And there were shepherds in the same region
lodging in the field
and keeping the night-watches over their flock
”
Literal Meaning: “keeping watch over
their flock by night.” “keeping watch” indicates in shifts; “over their flock”
is to guard the flock from thieves and wild beasts.
Controversial Clarification: the so-called “Christmas” was established
presumptuously by the Roman Catholic Church in the fourth century. At that
time
the Emperor Constantine was changed to believe in Christianity and he
commanded the whole people of the country to be converted to Christianity and this
caused many nominal Christians. Most Romans were heathens who worshiped the sun-god
before that time. They formerly regarded December 25th (from this
day the days becomes longer and the nights become shorter) as the birthday of
the sun-god and the whole nation celebrated the festivity joyously. Since the
whole people were converted to Christianity
they still followed the old
traditions and presumptuously appropriated December 25th as
Christmas in the excuse of Jesus Christ who is the sun of righteousness (Mal.
4:2). Actually
the birth of the Lord Jesus should not be in the time of bitter
winter------the end of the December and the reasons are as follows:
1) According to the latitude of
2) According to the circumstantial
evidence of history
“registration” (See v.1-3) is the historical fact that is
on record. The big event that the whole people were influenced to receive the population
census
every of which to his own country
should not take place in the time of
bitter winter (it should not be spring or summer that are the busy seasons for
farmers).
Then
should Christians celebrate
Christmas? Those approve this hold that:
1) Though December 25th is
not the birth of the Lord Jesus
establishing a day of common view to remember
the birth of the Savior is good both to glorify God and benefit men.
2) Believers could thank and worship
God
rejoice together and bear witness to the glad tidings through this
festivity and therefore Christmas has the positive meaning.
However
many Christians who love the Lord with pure hearts
such as Watchman Nee and
Wang Mingdao and other spiritual giants hold that the negative effects to
celebrate Christmas are much more than the above positive effects. Therefore it
is better not to celebrate Christmas and the reasons should never be neglected:
1) It was easy for the authors of Gospels
to search the birthday of the Lord Jesus
however
they all omitted the day. It
shows that through this God purposely made us not pay attention to the birthday
like what the world does.
2) The Bible did not ask believers to
remember the birth of the Lord Jesus
but His death (1Cor. 11: 23-26); we are
saved because we believe in His death of redemption on the cross instead of His
birth.
3) The so-called “Christmas Day” is not the
commandment of God but the establishment of men
just like the king Jeroboam
ordained a feast (1Kings. 12:32-33). It is a behavior to offer the sacrifice
presumptuously and it must be unacceptable to God (See 1Sam. 15:22).
4) Just like the Jews changed “the
feasts of Jehovah” into “the Jew’s Feasts” (John. 2:13; 5:1; 7:2) and “your
appointed feasts” (Is. 1:14). Today the “Christmas” is “the feast of
Christianity” instead of “the feast of God”. Therefore it is abominated by God.
5) In fact
many believers bring in many
customs of the world (such as dance
drinking to liven things up) in the excuse
of the celebration of Christmas
even some heathen fiesta ways (such as the
decoration of Christmas trees). This could not glorify God or benefit men at
all
on the contrary
this humiliates the name of the Lord.
6) Many upright Christians originally
want to preach the glad tidings and bear witness of the Lord through the celebration
of Christmas
however
unconsciously they mislead the world to stress on the
birth of the Lord more than His death and even neglect the death of redemption
on the cross. As a result of that
the purpose of glad tidings is blurred. The
greater part of those who receive this kind of gospel lack solid foundation of
faith and they are Christians who are neither cold nor hot.
Enlightenment in the Word: in the last days of darkness (“night”)
we should
remain aloof from the world (“in the fields”) and take care of the flock that
the Lord has entrusted us faithfully (“keep watch over their flock”).
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.”
YLT: “and lo
a messenger of the Lord stood over them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them
and they feared a great fear.”
Meaning of Words: “stood before”: come
be at hand (instant).
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.”
YLT: “And the messenger said to them
‘Fear not
for lo
I bring you good news of great joy
that shall be to all the people”
Literal Meaning: “I bring you good
tidings of great joy which will be to all people” “good tidings of great joy”
the birth of the Lord Jesus is good tidings of the greatest joy in the
universe; “to all people” shows that it concerns not only the Jews but also all
human beings.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Do not be afraid” This is the feature of the
time of grace; the first message from above is the word of comfort.
2) The birth of the Lord bring the hope of being
redeemed to all things (See Col. 1:20; Rom. 8:21).
Luke. 2:11 “For there is born to you
this day in the city of
YLT: “because there was born to you to-day a Saviour who
is Christ the Lord in the city of
Literal Meaning: “there is born a
Savior
who is Christ the Lord” Here it shows the three identities of the Lord
Jesus on the earth: 1) Savior------He is the redeemer of all the people; 2) the
Lord------He is dominator of all things and He is God; 3) Christ------He is the
Messiah
the king.
Luke. 2:12 “And this will be the sign
to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths
lying in a manger.’”
YLT: “and this [is] to you the sign: Ye shall find a
babe wrapped up
lying in the manger.’”
Meaning of Words: “sign”: miracle
indication.
Spiritual Meaning: this verse points
out the sign of the Son of Man the Savior as follows:
1) “A Babe” “babe” symbolizes that
though He is little
He is full of life.
2) “Lying in a manger” “manger” is the container
to hold fodder of livestock; this symbolizes that though He is humble and
despised by men
He is the bread which came down from heaven (See John. 6:41).
Luke. 2:13 “And suddenly there was
with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:”
YLT: “And suddenly there came with the messenger a
multitude of the heavenly host
praising God
and saying
”
Literal Meaning: “a multitude of the
heavenly host” indicate the angels (See v.15).
Luke. 2:14 “‘Glory
to God in the highest
And on earth peace
goodwill toward men!’”
YLT: “`Glory in the highest to God
and upon earth
peace
among men good will.’”
Literal Meaning: “glory to God in the
highest” “in the highest” indicates the place where God is
i.e. third heaven
(See 2Cor. 12:2). “Glory” is that God Himself is manifest; the moment God is
manifest
it is full of glory (See Exod. 40:35). God in heaven is spirit and He
is invisible to men’s eyes and incomprehensible to men’s minds; the Lord Jesus------the
world became flesh to declare God (John. 1:18) and made men know God. Therefore
the birth of the Lord Jesus was to manifest God
i.e. glory to God in the highest.
“And on earth peace
goodwill toward
men!” “Peace” does not indicate the peace and success of environment but the peace
and safety of minds. “Goodwill toward men” is a Hebrew idiom and it means the
targets of God’s goodwill.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The praise of the angles shows the two duties of
the Lord Jesus: on one hand He came to make God’s glory be manifest and on the
other He came to make men have everlasting rest.
2) God’s glory is manifested through His salvation;
only when men receive God’s salvation will God be glorified.
3) The salvation of God not only remits us from the
punishment of sins but also makes us enjoy the life of God; the more we enjoy the
life of God
the more God will be manifested and then God will be glorified.
4) The more one’s self disappears in God
the more
he would glorify God.
5) There is no place for men’s glory in God’s work;
any service should glorify God.
6) Peace is to those who are acceptable to God. Those
who seek to please God will enjoy peace. Only when we obey the will of God and
be acceptable to God will we have true peace.
7) First glory to God and then peace from God
toward men. When you fully seek the glory of God
your soul will be lifted up
to the heavenly and eternal realm. Peace shall be the king forever and peace
shall come certainly because we are no longer troubled by gains and loss and
the world.
8) “Peace” of Christians is neither related to the
objective environment nor affected by outside things.
9) We should not seek peace besides God; there is
only one fountain of peace in the whole world and that is God Himself.
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
YLT: “And it came to pass
when the messengers were gone
away from them to the heavens
that the men
the shepherds
said unto one
another
`We may go over indeed unto Bethlehem
and see this thing that hath
come to pass
that the Lord did make known to us.’”
Enlightenment in the Word: believers should search and confirm the word that
they have heard (See Acts. 17:11).
Luke. 2:16 “And they came with haste
and found Mary and Joseph
and the Babe lying in a manger.”
YLT: “And they came
having hasted
and found both Mary
and Joseph
and the babe lying in the manger
”
Luke. 2:17 “Now when they had seen
Him
they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this
Child.”
YLT: “and having seen
they made known abroad concerning
the saying spoken to them concerning the child.”
Enlightenment in the Word: believers also should preach what they have seen to
others (See 1John. 1:3).
Luke. 2:18 “And all those who heard
it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”
YLT: “And all who heard
did wonder concerning the
things spoken by the shepherds unto them;”
Enlightenment in the Word: God’s works and believers’ experience and witnesses
are uncommon; anyone that follows the Lord and obeys His words will experience “marvelous”
things continually in his life.
Luke. 2:19 “But Mary kept all these
things and pondered them in her heart.”
YLT: “and Mary was preserving all these things
pondering in her heart;”
Enlightenment in the Word: “kept all these things and pondered them in her
heart” Meditating the words and things of the Lord (See Gen. 24:63) is the secret
of success to be guided by the Lord.
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.”
YLT: “and the shepherds turned back
glorifying and praising
God
for all those things they heard and saw
as it was spoken unto them.”
Enlightenment in the Word: if one walks in believing and obeying the words of
the Lord
he shall verify the faithfulness of the words of the Lord in himself.
Luke. 2:21 “And 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.”
YLT: “And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise
the child
then was his name called Jesus
having been so called by the
messenger before his being conceived in the womb.”
Literal Meaning: “when eight days
were completed for the circumcision of the Child” Every Jewish male child
should be circumcised when he is eight days old (See Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3). The
so-called “circumcision” is to cut off a piece of the foreskin as the sign of covenant
with God from generation to generation.
Luke. 2:22 “Now when the days of her
purification according to the law of Moses were completed
they brought Him to
YLT: “And when the days of their purification were
fulfilled
according to the law of Moses
they brought him up to
Literal Meaning: “the days of her purification
according to the law of Moses” According to the law of Moses
if a woman born a
male child
then she shall be unclean seven days. She should not touch hallowed
thing or come into the sanctuary. She should stay home for thirty-three days (See
Lev. 12:2-4). Therefore “the days of her purification were completed” indicates
forty days after she born a child.
Enlightenment in the Word: parents of the Lord Jesus according to the flesh
obeyed the law of Moses to circumcise Him (v.21)
and presented Him to God
(v.24). These show that the Lord was born under the Law as a man in order to
fulfill all the requirements of the law and redeem them that were under the law
(Gal. 4:4-5).
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’)
”
YLT: “as it hath been written in the Law of the Lord
‘Every
male opening a womb shall be called holy to the Lord
’”
Literal Meaning: “every male who
opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD” “be called holy to the LORD”
indicates to be separated to God; this remembers that God had killed all that
opened the womb in Egypt and saved and delivered Israel from Egypt and
therefore all that open the womb shall be Jehovah’s (See Exod. 13:11-16).
Enlightenment in the Word: “every male who opens the womb shall be called holy
to the LORD” Actually
this regulation of the law is fulfilled in the Lord. It
shows that Christ is the reality of the law and He is also the explanation of
the Bible.
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.’”
YLT: “and to give a sacrifice
according to that said in
the Law of the Lord
‘A pair of turtle-doves
or two young pigeons.’”
Literal Meaning: “a pair of turtledoves
or two young pigeons” The sacrifice in this verse is not for the child (See
Lev. 12:6) but for the woman who bore a child (See Lev. 12:8); turtledoves and
pigeons are the offerings of the poor
showing that the house of Joseph and
Mary was very poor.
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
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
YLT: “And lo
there was a man in
Meaning of Words: “Simeon”: God hears.
Literal Meaning: “this man was just
and devout” “just” is towards men and “devout” towards God.
“Waiting for the Consolation of Israel”
At that time
Spiritual Meaning: Simeon represents
all those who live piously under the law. Though they try their best to obey
all the regulations of the law
they are not released and they do not have
rest. Therefore they hope earnestly the coming of the Consolation and the
salvation.
Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord Jesus Christ is the only hope for all
those who are born under the law.
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.”
YLT: “and it hath been divinely told him by the Holy
Spirit not to see death before he may see the Christ of the Lord.”
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
”
YLT: “And he came in the Spirit to the temple
and in
the parents bringing in the child Jesus
for their doing according to the
custom of the law regarding him
”
Literal Meaning: “he came by the
Spirit” indicates that He was led by the Spirit. Luke used three ways to describe
the Spirit’s work in Simeon: 1) the Holy Spirit was upon Him (v.25); 2) it had
been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit (v.26); 3) he came by the Spirit
(v.27).
Enlightenment in the Word: “the revelation that Simeon have received” was to “see
the Lord’s Christ” (v.26). “The inspiration that he had received” led him to
meet Jesus. This proves that all the work of the Holy Spirit is for the glory
of Christ and to bring men into the reality of Christ (See John. 16:13-15).
Luke. 2:28 “he took Him up in his
arms and blessed God and said:”
YLT: “then he took him in his arms
and blessed God
and
he said
”
The Background:
according to the Jewish traditions
parents
have to bring their child to the
Literal Meaning: “blessed God” It
seemed that he was praising God. Actually
it is the Holy Spirit that declares
the message of God through him.
Luke. 2:29 “‘Lord
now You are letting Your servant depart in peace
According to Your word;”
YLT: “`Now Thou dost send away Thy servant
Lord
according to Thy word
in peace
”
Enlightenment in the Word: the meaning of men’s life is to see and experience
Christ (See v.30); otherwise
it is meaningless and vain to spend one’s life.
Luke. 2:30 “For my eyes have seen
Your salvation”
YLT: “because mine eyes did see Thy salvation
”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Chinese sage said that “one has not lived in
vain if he dies after he is told of the way”; to Christians it is that
“if our
eyes have seen the salvation
we could depart in peace”.
2) If we have Christ
we have the salvation; if we
do not have Christ
we do not have the salvation. Christ Himself is our
salvation.
3) The salvation is that the Lord Himself comes to
be men’s everything and enjoyment.
4) When Christ------“the new man” in grace comes
the old Simeon------“the old man” under the law shall and must depart.
Luke. 2:31 “Which You have prepared
before the face of all peoples
”
YLT: “which Thou didst prepare before the face of all
the peoples
”
Luke. 2:32 “A light to bring
revelation to the Gentiles
And the glory of Your people
YLT: “a light to the uncovering of nations
and the
glory of Thy people
Luke. 2:33 “And Joseph and His mother
marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.”
YLT: “And Joseph and his mother were wondering at the
things spoken concerning him
”
Luke. 2:34-35 “Then Simeon blessed them
and said to Mary His mother
‘Behold
this Child is
destined for the fall and rising of many in
YLT: “and Simeon blessed them
and said unto Mary his
mother
‘Lo
this [one] is set for the falling and rising again of many in
Literal Meaning: “then Simeon blessed
them” Please note that Simeon blessed the parents of Jesus instead of Jesus
because without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better (See Heb.
7:7).
“For the fall and rising of many”
Whether one falls or rises depends on whether he believes in Him or not. To
those who do not believe in Him
Christ is the rock of offence that makes them
be offended because of Him (See Rom. 9:23); to those who believe in Him
Christ
is the cornerstone that makes men be built up because of Him.
“And for a sign which will be spoken
against” It means that the Lord Jesus will become the laughing stock of
unbelievers and He will be talked about
mocked
slandered and abused by men.
“A sword will pierce through your own
soul also” because Mary will see her own son be crucified on the cross (See John.
19:25).
Enlightenment in the Word: our Lord is a tried stone (See Is. 28:16) and is
also a stone to try others. If men are tried by this stone
they will be shown
as one of the three kinds of men among the “many” in the speech of Simeon:
1) Many will fall because of the words
of the Lord (for example
many disciples were offended because they did not
understand the words of the Lord and went away
See John. 6:60-61
66).
2) Many will rise because of the words
of the Lord (for example
Peter followed the Lord Jesus confirmedly
See John.
6:67-68).
3) The thoughts of many hearts may “be revealed”
(for example
Judas was revealed by the words of the Lord that he was the devil
that betrayed the Lord
See John. 6:70-71).
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;”
YLT: “And there was Anna
a prophetess
daughter of
Phanuel
of the tribe of Asher
she was much advanced in days
having lived
with an husband seven years from her virginity
”
Meaning of Words: “Anna”: grace
prayer; “Asher”: fortune; “Phanuel”: the countenance of God.
Spiritual Meaning: Simeon (v.25)
represents the law; Anna represents the prophets. They together represent the
whole age of the Old Testament. Their features are:
1) “Of a great age” symbolizes the lack
of life and vigor.
2) “A widow” symbolizes without
dependence or satisfaction.
Luke. 2:37 “and this woman was a
widow of about eighty-four years
who did not depart from the temple
but
served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”
YLT: “and she [is] a widow of about eighty-four years
who did depart not from the temple
with fasts and supplications serving
night
and day
”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Every believer is able to receive the power of
prayer
however
one never receive the power without any effort. The effect of
prayer lies in the steadfastness and perseverance of prayer. To those who pray
on and off
their prayers won’t be of great effect.
2) The more we pray
the more we will be good at
praying. We should learn to pray through prayer and continue praying through
prayer.
3) Intercessors are the greatest protectors of the
church and they are the channels for God to show His mercy before the
mercy-seat.
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
YLT: “and she
at that hour
having come in
was
confessing
likewise
to the Lord
and was speaking concerning him
to all
those looking for redemption in
Literal Meaning: “all those who looked
for the redemption in
Enlightenment in the Word: when men are under the requirements of the law
though they do not depart the temple
serve God with fastings and prayers day
and night (See v.37) and live the most pious life
it is still in vain. Only
when Christ comes will they be able to “give thanks” to the Lord and “speak of
Him” to men and fulfill their duties of prophets practically.
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
YLT: “And when they finished all things
according to
the Law of the Lord
they turned back to Galilee
to their city
Luke. 2:40 “And the Child grew and
became strong in spirit
filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.”
YLT: “and the child grew and was strengthened in spirit
being filled with wisdom
and the grace of God was upon him.”
Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord Jesus still needs God’s grace in the
humanity. Believers should look upon God’s grace more.
Luke. 2:41 “His parents went to
YLT: “And his parents were going yearly to
The Background:
according to the regulations of the law of
Moses
the Jews should go to Jerusalem three times every year
at the feast of the
Passover
at the feast of weeks
and at the feast of tabernacles (See Deut.
16:16). However
in the age of the birth of Jesus
the Jews who lived far away
only went to
“The feast of the Passover” This feast
is to remember that
Luke. 2:42 “And when He was twelve
years old
they went up to
YLT: “and when he became twelve years old
they having
gone up to
The Background:
according to the saying of the Jewish Bible
exegete Alford
the Jews call the boys who are twelve years old “sons of the
law” and they begin to be restrained by the law.
Some others said that when the Jewish
boys are thirteen years old
they officially become one member of the sacred
assembly of
Luke. 2:43 “When they had finished
the days
as they returned
the Boy Jesus lingered behind in
YLT: “and having finished the days
in their returning
the child Jesus remained behind in
The Background:
“Joseph and His mother did not know it.” When
the Jews went to
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.”
YLT: “and
having supposed him to be in the company
they went a day’s journey
and were seeking him among the kindred and among the
acquaintances
”
Luke. 2:45 “So when they did not find
Him
they returned to
YLT: “and not having found him
they turned back to
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.”
YLT: “And it came to pass
after three days
they found
him in the temple
sitting in the midst of the teachers
both hearing them and
questioning them
”
The Background:
on the occasion of the feast
rabbis of the
Jewish council would come to the
Literal Meaning: “after three days” They
had already “gone a day’s journey” (See v.44) before they departed from
“Sitting in the midst of the teachers” “Teachers”
are rabbis who were familiar with the law and ceremonies of the Bible.
Luke. 2:47 “And all who heard Him
were astonished at His understanding and answers.”
YLT: “and all those hearing him were astonished at his
understanding and answers.”
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.’”
YLT: “And
having seen him
they were amazed
and his
mother said unto him
`Child
why didst thou thus to us? lo
thy father and I
sorrowing
were seeking thee.’”
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?"”
YLT: “And he said unto them
`Why [is it] that ye were
seeking me? did ye not know that in the things of my Father it behoveth me to
be?’”
Literal Meaning: “be about My Father’s
business” “My Father” indicates God the Father in heaven.
Enlightenment in the Word: believers
as sons and daughters of God
should be
about Father’s business and should not set their minds on the things on earth
(See Col. 3:2).
Luke. 2:50 “But they did not understand
the statement which He spoke to them.”
YLT: “and they did not understand the saying that he
spake to them
”
Luke. 2:51 “Then He went down with
them and came to
YLT: “and he went down with them
and came to
Luke. 2:52 “And Jesus increased in
wisdom and stature
and in favor with God and men.”
YLT: “and Jesus was advancing in wisdom
and in stature
and in favour with God and men.”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The true growth of life is not unbalanced but
harmonious.
2) If we are possessed by Christ and manifest Him
by living
there will be the “balanced” condition and it should not be extreme
or unbalanced. Any extreme or unbalanced condition should not be of Christ.
III. Outlines of the Spiritual
Lessons
The Son of Man the Savior Is A Perfect Man
I. He was born when
His parents obeyed the law of men (v.1-7)------He had the official census
registration.
II. His mother gave birth to Him after the normal
period of gestation (v.6-7)------He was born according to the law of God’s
creation of men and He was a normal man.
III. He completely
obeyed the regulations of the law of God (v.21-24)------He was an orthodox
Jewish.
IV. He grew up
according to the law of life of men (v.40)------He grew up under the normal
conditions.
V. He was about the
Father’s business in His childhood
however
He was subject to His parents
according to the flesh (v.41-51)------He cared about and sought the things of
God and this did not make Him overlook His identity of the Son of Man.
VI. His body
soul
and spirit all grew up harmoniously (v.52)------He acted as a perfect man both before
God and men.
Knowledge of Heavenly Revelation
I. The requirements
to receive heavenly revelation (v.8):
A. in the fields------keep aloof from the
world.
B. the shepherds------they look after
the Lord’s lambs that the Lord has entrusted to them.
C. keep watch over…by night------they are
faithful and do not leave their positions in the darkness of the last
time.
II. The feature of
heavenly revelation (v.9)------it is uncommon and it unavoidably makes men be
afraid.
III. The aim of heavenly
revelation (v.10)------it is not for one’s own being spiritual but for the
profit of all.
IV. The content of
heavenly revelation (v.11)------it is not spiritual reasons but Christ Himself.
V. The sign of
heavenly revelation (v.12)------Christ humbled Himself (a Babe) not for men’s
research but to be men’ bread of life (lying in a manger).
VI. The effect of
heavenly revelation (v.13-14)------it gained a group of people whom God favors.
They themselves not only enjoy the peace of God but also make others glorify
God because of them.
The Spiritual Meanings of Three Ceremonies
II. The ceremony to
present the boy who opens the womb (v.22-23)------it typifies Christ’s
redemption (Exod. 12:13).
III. The ceremony to
cleans women who had given birth to a child (v.24)------it typifies that men
were shaped in iniquity (Ps. 51:5).
The Example of Anna the Prophetess (v.36-37)
I. She had lived with
a husband seven years from her virginity and was a widow ------her life was
full of misery but she had not fallen into the deep sorrow.
II. She was already
eighty-four years------though she was old
she never gave up her hope.
III. She did not
depart from the temple------she did not depart the habitation of God (which
typifies the church).
IV. She served God
with fastings and prayers night and day------she did not cease serving God with
prayers.
Four Important Aspects of the Balanced Growth of
Believers (v.52)
I. Wisdom------mental
growth.
II. Stature------physical
growth.
III. In favor with
God------growth in spirit.
IV. In favor with
God------growth in character.
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren