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Luke Chapter
Two
Luke 2
In the next chapter (2) the scene changes. Instead of the
relations of God with Israel according to grace
we see first the pagan emperor
of the world-the head of Daniel's last empire-exercising his power in
Emmanuel's land
and over the people of God
as though God did not know them.
Nevertheless we are still in presence of the birth of the Son of David
of
Emmanuel Himself; but He is outwardly under the power of the head of the beast
of a pagan empire. What a strange state of things is brought in by sin! Take
special notice however that we have grace here: it is the intervention of God
which makes all this manifest. Connected with it are some other circumstances
which it is well to observe. When the interests and the glory of Jesus are in
question
all this power-which governs without the fear of God
which reigns
seeking its own glory
in the place where Christ should reign-all the imperial
glory is but an instrument in the hands of God for the fulfilment of His
counsels. As to the public fact
we find the Roman emperor exercising despotic
and pagan authority in the place where the throne of God should have been
if
the sin of the people had not made it impossible.
The emperor will have all the world registered
and every one goes to
his own city. The power of the world is set in motion
and that by an act which
proves its supremacy over those who
as the people of God
should have been
free from all but the immediate government of their God
which was their
glory-an act which proves the complete degradation and servitude of the people.
They are slaves
in their bodies and in their possessions
to the heathen
because of their sins (see Nehemiah 9:36
37). But this act only accomplishes
the marvellous purpose of God
causing the Saviour-king to be born in the
village where
according to the testimony of God
that event was to take place.
And
more than that
the divine Person
who was to excite the joy and the
praises of heaven
is born among men
Himself a child in this world.
The state of things in Israel and in the world
is the
supremacy of the Gentiles and the absence of the throne of God. The Son of man
the Saviour
God manifested in the flesh
comes to take His place-a place which
grace alone could find or take in a world that knew Him not.
This registration is so much the more remarkable
in
that
as soon as the purpose of God was accomplished
it was carried no
farther; that is to say
not till afterwards
under the government of Cyrenius.
[1] The Son of God is born in this world
but He
finds no place there. The world is at home
or at least by its resources it
finds a place
in the inn; it becomes a kind of measure of man's place in
and
reception by
the world; the Son of God finds none
save in the manger. Is it
for nothing that the Holy Ghost records this circumstance? No. There is no room
for God
and that which is of God
in this world. So much the more perfect
therefore is the love that brought Him down to earth. But He began in a manger
and ended on the cross
and along the way had not where to lay His head. The
Son of God-a child
partaking in all the weakness and all the circumstances of
human life
thus manifested-appears in the world. [2] But if God comes into this world
and if a
manger receives Him
in the nature He had taken in grace
the angels are
occupied with the event on which depends the fate of the whole universe
and
the accomplishment of all the counsels of God; for He has chosen weak things to
confound things that are mighty. This poor infant is the object of all the
counsels of God
the upholder and heir of the whole creation
the Saviour of
all who shall inherit glory and eternal life.
Some poor men who were faithfully performing their
toilsome labours
afar from the restless activity of an ambitious and sinful
world
receive the first tidings of the Lord's presence on earth. The God of
Israel did not seek for the great among His people
but had respect to the poor
of the flock. Two things here present themselves. The angel who comes to the
shepherds of Judea announces to them the fulfilment of the promises of God to
Israel. The choir of angels celebrate in their heavenly chorus of praise all
the real import of this wondrous event.
"Unto you
" says the heavenly messenger who visits the poor
shepherds
"is born this day in the city of David a Saviour
which is
Christ the Lord." This was proclaiming good tidings to them and to all the
people. [3] But in the birth of the Son of man
God
manifest in the flesh
the accomplishment of the incarnation had far deeper
importance than this. The fact that this poor infant was there
disallowed and
left (humanly speaking) to its fate by the world
was (as understood by the
heavenly intelligences
the multitude of the heavenly host
whose praises
resounded at the angel's message to the shepherds) "Glory to God in the
highest
peace on earth
good pleasure [of God] in men." These few words
embrace such widely extended thoughts
that it is difficult to speak suitably
of them in a work like this; but some remarks are necessary. First
it is
deeply blessed to see that the thought of Jesus excludes all that could oppress
the heart in the scene which surrounded His presence on earth. Sin
alas! was
there. It was manifested by the position in which this wondrous infant was found.
But if sin had placed Him there
grace had placed Him there. Grace
superabounds; and in thinking of Him
blessing
grace
the mind of God
respecting sin
that which God is
as manifested by the presence of Christ
absorb the mind and possess the heart
and are the heart's true relief in a
world like this. We see grace alone; and sin does but magnify the fulness
the
sovereignty
the perfection of that grace. God
in His glorious dealings
blots
out the sin with respect to which He acts
and which He thus exhibits in all
its deformity; but there is that which "much more aboundeth." Jesus
come in grace
fills the heart. It is the same thing in all the details of
christian life. It is the true source of moral power
of sanctification
and of
joy.
We see next
that there are three things brought out by
the presence of Jesus born as a child on the earth. First
glory to God in the
highest. The love of God-His wisdom-His power (not in creating a universe out
of nothing
but in rising above the evil
and turning the effect of all the
enemy's power into an occasion of shewing that this power was only impotence
and folly in presence of that which may be called "the weakness of
God")-the fulfilment of His eternal counsels-the perfection of His ways
where evil had come in-the manifestation of Himself amidst the evil in such a
manner as to glorify Himself before the angels: in a word
God had so
manifested Himself by the birth of Jesus
that the hosts of heaven
long
familiar with His power
could raise their chorus
"Glory to God in the
highest!" and every voice unites in sounding forth these praises. What
love like this love? and God is love. What a purely divine thought
that God
has become man! What supremacy of good over evil! What wisdom in drawing nigh
to the heart of man and the heart of man back to Him! What fitness in
addressing man! What maintenance of the holiness of God! What nearness to the
heart of man
what participation in his wants
what experience of his
condition! But beyond all
God above the evil in grace
and in that grace
visiting this defiled world to make Himself known as He had never yet been
known!
The second effect of the presence of Him who manifested
God on the earth is
that peace should be there. Rejected-His name should be an
occasion of strife; but the heavenly choir are occupied with the fact of His
presence
and with the result
when fully produced of the consequences
wrapped
up in the Person of Him who was there (looked at in their proper fruits)
and
they celebrate these consequences. Manifested evil should disappear; His holy
rule should banish all enmity and violence. Jesus
mighty in love
should
reign
and impart the character in which He had come to the whole scene that
should surround Him in the world He came into
that it might be according to
His heart who took delight therein (Prov. 8:31). [4] See
as regards a smaller scale
Psalm 85:10
11. The means of this-redemption
the
destruction of Satan's power
the reconciliation of man by faith
and of all
things in heaven and earth with God-are not here pointed out. Everything
depended on the Person and presence of Him who was born. All was wrapped up in
Him. The state of blessing was born in the birth of that child.
Presented to the responsibility of man
man is unable to
profit by it
and all fails. His position thereby becomes only so much the
worse.
But
grace and blessing being attached to the Person of
Him just born
all their consequences necessarily flow forth After all it was
the intervention of God accomplishing the counsel of His love
the settled
purpose of His good pleasure. And
Jesus once there
the consequences could not
fail: whatever interruption there might be to their fulfilment
Jesus was their
surety. He was come into the world. He contained in His Person
He was the
expression of
all these consequences The presence of the Son of God in the
midst of sinners said to all spiritual intelligence
"Peace on the
earth."
The third thing was the good pleasure [5] --the
affection of God-in men. Nothing more simple
since Jesus was a man He had not
taken hold of angels. It was a glorious testimony that the affection
the good
pleasure
of God was centred in this poor race
now far from Him
but in which
He was pleased to accomplish all His glorious counsels. So in John 1 the life
was the light of men.
In a word
it was the power of God present in grace in
the Person of the Son of God taking part in the nature
and interesting Himself
in the lot
of a being who had departed from Him
and making him the sphere of
the accomplishment of all His counsels
and of the manifestation of His grace
and His nature to all His creatures. What a position for man! for it is indeed
in man that all this is accomplished. The whole universe was to learn in man
and in what God therein was for man
that which God was in Himself
and the
fruit of all His glorious counsels
as well as its complete rest in His
presence
according to His nature of love. All this was implied in the birth of
that child of whom the world took no notice. Natural and marvellous subject of
praise to the holy inhabitants of heaven
unto whom God had made it known! It
was glory to God in the highest.
Faith was in exercise in those simple Israelites to whom
the angel of the Lord was sent; and they rejoiced in the blessing fulfilled
before their eyes
and which verified the grace that God had shewn in
announcing it to them. The word
"as it was told unto them
" adds its
testimony of grace to all that we enjoy by the lovingkindness of God.
The child receives the name of Jesus on the day of His
circumcision
according to Jewish custom (see chap. 1:59)
but according to the
counsels and revelations of God
communicated by the angels of His power.
Moreover everything was performed according to the law; for historically we
find ourselves still in connection with Israel. He who was born of a woman was
born under the law.
The condition of poverty in which Jesus was born is also
shewn by the sacrifice offered for the purification of His mother.
But another point is here made prominent by the Holy
Ghost
insignificant as He may apparently be who gave occasion to it.
Jesus is recognised by the godly remnant of Israel
so
far as the Holy Ghost acts in them. He becomes a touchstone for every soul in
Israel. The condition of the remnant taught by the Holy Ghost (that is
of
those who had taken the position of the remnant) was this: They were sensible
of the misery and ruin of Israel
but waited upon the God of Israel
trusting
to His unchangeable faithfulness for the consolation of His people. They still
said: How long? And God was with this remnant. He had made known to those who thus
trusted in His mercy the coming of the promised One
who was to be the
fulfilment of this mercy to Israel.
Thus
in presence of the oppression of the Gentiles
and
of the iniquity of a people who were ripening or rather ripened in evil
the
remnant who trust in God do not lose that which
as we saw in the preceding
chapter
belonged to Israel. In the midst of Israel's misery they had for their
consolation that which promise and prophecy had declared for Israel's glory.
The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he should not
die until he had seen the Lord's Christ. That was the consolation
and it was
great. It was contained in the Person of Jesus the Saviour
without going
farther into the details of the manner or the time of the accomplishment of Israel's
deliverance.
Simeon loved Israel; he could depart in peace
since God
had blessed Him according to the desires of faith. The joy of faith ever dwells
on the Lord and on His people
but sees
in the relationship that exists
between them
all the extent of that which gives rise to this joy. Salvation
the deliverance of God
was come in Christ. It was for the revelation of the
Gentiles
till then hidden in the darkness of ignorance without a revelation;
and for the glory of Israel
the people of God. This indeed is the fruit of the
government of God in Christ
that is to say
the millennium. But if the Spirit
revealed to this pious and faithful servant of the God of Israel the future
which depended on the presence of the Son of God
He revealed to him that he
held the Saviour Himself in his arms; thus giving him present peace
and such a
sense of the favour of God that death lost its terrors. It was not a knowledge
of the work of Jesus acting on an enlightened and convicted conscience; but it
was the fulfilment of the promises to Israel
the possession of the Saviour
and the proof of the favour of God
so that the peace which flowed from thence
filled his soul. There were the three things: the prophecy that announced the
coming of Christ
the possession of Christ
and the effect of His presence in
the whole world. We are here in connection with the remnant of Israel
and
consequently find nothing of the church and of purely heavenly things. The
rejection comes afterwards. Here it is all that belongs to the remnant
in the
way of blessing
through the presence of Jesus. His work is not the present
subject.
What a beautiful picture
and what a testimony rendered
to this child
by the manner in which through the power of the Holy Ghost He
filled the heart of this holy man at the close of his earthly life! Observe
also what communications are made to this feeble remnant
unknown amid the
darkness that covered the people. But the testimony of this holy man of God
(and how sweet it is to think how many of these souls
full of grace and of
communion with the Lord
have flourished in the shade
unknown to men
but well
known to and beloved of God; souls who
when they appear
coming out of their
retreat according to His will in testimony to Christ
bear so blessed a witness
to a work of God which is carried on in spite of all that man is doing
and
behind the painful and embittered scene that is unfolding on the earth!)
Simeon's testimony here
was more than the expression of the deeply interesting
thoughts which had filled his heart in communion between himself and God. This
knowledge of Christ and of the thoughts of God respecting Him
which is
developed in secret between God and the soul
gives understanding of the effect
produced by the manifestation to the world of Him who is its object. The Spirit
speaks of it by the mouth of Simeon. In his previous words we received the
declaration of the sure fulfilment of God's counsels in the Messiah
the joy of
his own heart. Now it is the effect of the presentation of Jesus
as the
Messiah to Israel on the earth
which is described. Whatever may have been the
power of God in Christ for blessing
He put the heart of man to the test. He
should thus be
by revealing the thoughts of many hearts (for He was light)
and so much the more that He was humbled in a world of pride
an occasion of
falling to many
and the means of rising to many from their low and degraded
condition. Mary herself
although the mother of the Messiah
should have her
own soul pierced through by a sword; for her child should be rejected
the
natural relationship of the Messiah to the people broken and disallowed. This
contradiction of sinners against the Lord laid all hearts bare as to their
desires
their hopes
and their ambition
whatever forms of piety might be
assumed.
Such was the testimony rendered in Israel to the Messiah
according to the action of the Spirit of God upon the remnant
amid the bondage
and misery of that people: the full accomplishment of the counsels of God
towards Israel
and towards the world through Israel
for joy of heart to the
faithful who had trusted in these promises
but for a test at that moment to
every heart by means of a Messiah who was a sign spoken against. The counsels
of God and the heart of man were revealed in Him.
Malachi had said that those who feared the Lord in the
evil days
when the proud were called happy
should often speak together. This
time had arrived in Israel. From Malachi to the birth of Jesus
there was but
the passage of Israel from misery to pride-a pride moreover that was dawning
even in the days of the prophet. That which he said of the remnant was also
being accomplished; they "spake together." We see that they knew each
other
in this lovely picture of God's hidden people: "She spake of him to
all them that looked for redemption in Israel." Anna
a holy widow
who
departed not from the temple
and who deeply felt the misery of Israel
had
besieged the throne of God with a widowed heart
for a people to whom God was
no longer a husband
who were really widowed like herself
and she now makes
known to all who pondered on these things together
that the Lord had visited
His temple. They had looked for redemption in Jerusalem; and now the
Redeemer-unknown of men-was there. What a subject of joy to this poor remnant!
What an answer to their faith!
But Jerusalem was not after all the place in which God
visited the remnant of His people
but the seat of pride of those who said
"the temple of the Lord." And Joseph and Mary
having performed all
that which the law required
return with the child Jesus to take their place
together with Him in the despised spot which should give Him its name
and in
those regions where the despised remnant
the poor of the flock
had more their
place
and where the testimony of God had announced that the light should
appear.
There His early days were spent in the physical and
mental growth of the true humanity which He had assumed. Simple and precious
testimony! But He was not less conscious
when the time was come for speaking to
men
of His real relationship to His Father. The two things are united in that
which is said at the end of the chapter. In the development of His humanity is
manifested the Son of God on earth. Joseph and Mary
who (while marvelling at
all that happened to Him) did not thoroughly know by faith His glory
blame the
child according to the position in which He formally stood towards them. But
this gives occasion to the manifestation of another character of perfection in
Jesus. If He was the Son of God and had the full consciousness of it
He was
also the obedient man
essentially and ever perfect and sinless-an obedient
child
whatever sense He also had of another relationship unconnected in itself
with subjection to human parents. Consciousness of the one did not injure His
perfection in the other. His being the Son of God secured His perfection as a
man and a child on the earth.
But there is another important thing to remark here; it
is
that this position had nothing to do with His being anointed with the Holy
Ghost. He fulfilled
no doubt
the public ministry which He afterwards entered
on according to the power and the perfection of that anointing; but His
relationship to His Father belonged to His Person itself. The bond existed
between Him and His Father. He was fully conscious of it
whatever might be the
means or the form of its public manifestation
and of the power of His
ministry. He was all that a child ought to be; but it was the Son of God who
was so. His relationship to His Father was as well known to Him
as His
obedience to Joseph and to His mother was beautiful
becoming
and perfect.
Here we close this touching and divine history of the
birth and early days of the divine Saviour
the Son of man. It is impossible to
have anything more profoundly interesting. Henceforward it is in His ministry
in His public life
that we shall find Him
rejected of men
but accomplishing
the counsels and the work of God; separate from all
in order to do this in the
power of the Holy Ghost
given to Him without measure
to fulfil that course
with which nothing can be compared
with respect to which it would be lowering
the truth to call it interesting. It is the centre and the means
including His
death
His offering Himself without spot to God-and the only possible means-of
all relationship between our souls and God; the perfection of the manifestation
of His grace
and the foundation of all relationship between any creature and
Himself.
[1] I
have no doubt that the only right translation of this passage is
"The
census itself was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria." The
Holy Ghost notes this circumstance to shew that
when once the purpose of God
was accomplished
the decree was not historically carried out till afterwards.
A great deal of learning has been spent on what I believe to be simple and
clear in the text.
[2] That
is to say
as an infant. He did not appear
like the first Adam
coming out
in
His perfection
from the hand of God. He is born of a woman
the Son of man
which Adam was not.
[3]
"All the people" (not
as in the Authorised Version
"all
people").
[4] This
quotation leads to a glorious apprehension
both of what was then doing
and of
our blessing. The special interest of God is in the sons of men; wisdom (Christ
is the wisdom of God) daily Jehovah's delight
rejoicing in the habitable part
of His earth
before creation
so that it was counsel
and His delight in the
sons of men. His incarnation is the full proof of this. In Matthew we have our
Lord
when He takes His place with the remnant as this is
fully revealed
and
it is in the Son's taking this place as man and being anointed of the Holy
Ghost
that the whole Trinity is fully revealed. This is a wonderful unfolding
of God's ways.
[5] This
is the same word as when it is said of Christ
"In whom I am well
pleased." It is beautiful to see the unjealous celebration
by these holy
beings
of the advancement of another race to this exalted place by the
incarnation of the Word. It was God's glory
and that sufficed them. This is
very beautiful.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Luke》
Luke 2
Chapter Contents
The birth of Christ. (1-7) It is made known to the
shepherds. (8-20) Christ presented in the temple. (21-24) Simeon prophesies
concerning Jesus. (25-35) Anna prophesies concerning him. (36-40) Christ with
the learned men in the temple. (41-52)
Commentary on Luke 2:1-7
(Read Luke 2:1-7)
The fulness of time was now come
when God would send
forth his Son
made of a woman
and made under the law. The circumstances of
his birth were very mean. Christ was born at an inn; he came into the world to
sojourn here for awhile
as at an inn
and to teach us to do likewise. We are
become by sin like an outcast infant
helpless and forlorn; and such a one was
Christ. He well knew how unwilling we are to be meanly lodged
clothed
or fed;
how we desire to have our children decorated and indulged; how apt the poor are
to envy the rich
and how prone the rich to disdain the poor. But when we by faith
view the Son of God being made man and lying in a manger
our vanity
ambition
and envy are checked. We cannot
with this object rightly before us
seek great
things for ourselves or our children.
Commentary on Luke 2:8-20
(Read Luke 2:8-20)
Angels were heralds of the new-born Saviour
but they
were only sent to some poor
humble
pious
industrious shepherds
who were in
the business of their calling
keeping watch over their flock. We are not out
of the way of Divine visits
when we are employed in an honest calling
and
abide with God in it. Let God have the honour of this work; Glory to God in the
highest. God's good-will to men
manifested in sending the Messiah
redounds to
his praise. Other works of God are for his glory
but the redemption of the
world is for his glory in the highest. God's goodwill in sending the Messiah
brought peace into this lower world. Peace is here put for all that good which
flows to us from Christ's taking our nature upon him. This is a faithful
saying
attested by an innumerable company of angels
and well worthy of all
acceptation
That the good-will of God toward men
is glory to God in the
highest
and peace on the earth. The shepherds lost no time
but came with
haste to the place. They were satisfied
and made known abroad concerning this
child
that he was the Saviour
even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed
and thought upon all these things
which were so suited to enliven her holy
affections. We should be more delivered from errors in judgment and practice
did we more fully ponder these things in our hearts. It is still proclaimed in
our ears that to us is born a Saviour
Christ the Lord. These should be glad
tidings to all.
Commentary on Luke 2:21-24
(Read Luke 2:21-24)
Our Lord Jesus was not born in sin
and did not need that
mortification of a corrupt nature
or that renewal unto holiness
which were
signified by circumcision. This ordinance was
in his case
a pledge of his
future perfect obedience to the whole law
in the midst of sufferings and
temptations
even unto death for us. At the end of forty days
Mary went up to
the temple to offer the appointed sacrifices for her purification. Joseph also
presented the holy child Jesus
because
as a first-born son
he was to be
presented to the Lord
and redeemed according to the law. Let us present our
children to the Lord who gave them to us
beseeching him to redeem them from
sin and death
and make them holy to himself.
Commentary on Luke 2:25-35
(Read Luke 2:25-35)
The same Spirit that provided for the support of Simeon's
hope
provided for his joy. Those who would see Christ must go to his temple.
Here is a confession of his faith
that this Child in his arms was the Saviour
the salvation itself
the salvation of God's appointing. He bids farewell to
this world. How poor does this world look to one that has Christ in his arms
and salvation in his view! See here
how comfortable is the death of a good
man; he departs in peace with God
peace with his own conscience
in peace with
death. Those that have welcomed Christ
may welcome death. Joseph and Mary
marvelled at the things which were spoken of this Child. Simeon shows them
likewise
what reason they had to rejoice with trembling. And Jesus
his
doctrine
and people
are still spoken against; his truth and holiness are
still denied and blasphemed; his preached word is still the touchstone of men's
characters. The secret good affections in the minds of some
will be revealed
by their embracing Christ; the secret corruptions of others will be revealed by
their enmity to Christ. Men will be judged by the thoughts of their hearts
concerning Christ. He shall be a suffering Jesus; his mother shall suffer with
him
because of the nearness of her relation and affection.
Commentary on Luke 2:36-40
(Read Luke 2:36-40)
There was much evil then in the church
yet God left not
himself without witness. Anna always dwelt in
or at least attended at
the
temple. She was always in a praying spirit; gave herself to prayer
and in all
things she served God. Those to whom Christ is made known
have great reason to
thank the Lord. She taught others concerning him. Let the example of the
venerable saints
Simeon and Anna
give courage to those whose hoary heads are
like theirs
a crown of glory
being found in the way of righteousness. The
lips soon to be silent in the grave
should be showing forth the praises of the
Redeemer. In all things it became Christ to be made like unto his brethren
therefore he passed through infancy and childhood as other children
yet
without sin
and with manifest proofs of the Divine nature in him. By the
Spirit of God all his faculties performed their offices in a manner not seen in
any one else. Other children have foolishness bound in their hearts
which
appears in what they say or do
but he was filled with wisdom
by the influence
of the Holy Ghost; every thing he said and did
was wisely said and wisely
done
above his years. Other children show the corruption of their nature;
nothing but the grace of God was upon him.
Commentary on Luke 2:41-52
(Read Luke 2:41-52)
It is for the honour of Christ that children should
attend on public worship. His parents did not return till they had stayed all
the seven days of the feast. It is well to stay to the end of an ordinance
as
becomes those who say
It is good to be here. Those that have lost their
comforts in Christ
and the evidences of their having a part in him
must
bethink themselves where
and when
and how they lost them
and must turn back
again. Those that would recover their lost acquaintance with Christ
must go to
the place in which he has put his name; there they may hope to meet him. They
found him in some part of the temple
where the doctors of the law kept their
schools; he was sitting there
hearkening to their instructions
proposing
questions
and answering inquiries
with such wisdom
that those who heard were
delighted with him. Young persons should seek the knowledge of Divine truth
attend the ministry of the gospel
and ask such questions of their elders and
teachers as may tend to increase their knowledge. Those who seek Christ in
sorrow
shall find him with the greater joy. Know ye not that I ought to be in
my Father's house; at my Father's work; I must be about my Father's business.
Herein is an example; for it becomes the children of God
in conformity to
Christ
to attend their heavenly Father's business
and make all other concerns
give way to it. Though he was the Son of God
yet he was subject to his earthly
parents; how then will the foolish and weak sons of men answer it
who are
disobedient to their parents? However we may neglect men's sayings
because
they are obscure
yet we must not think so of God's sayings. That which at
first is dark
may afterwards become plain and easy. The greatest and wisest
those most eminent
may learn of this admirable and Divine Child
that it is
the truest greatness of soul to know our own place and office; to deny
ourselves amusements and pleasures not consistent with our state and calling.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Luke》
Luke 2
Verse 2
[2] (And
this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
When Cyrenius was governor of Syria — When Publius Sulpicius Quirinus governed the province of Syria
in which
Judea was then included.
Verse 6
[6] And so it was
that
while they were there
the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered.
And while they were there
the days were
fulfilled that she should be delivered —
Mary seems not to have known that the child must have been born in Bethlehem
agreeably to the prophecy. But the providence of God took care for it.
Verse 7
[7] And
she brought forth her firstborn son
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes
and
laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
She laid him in the manger — Perhaps it might rather be translated in the stall. They were lodged in
the ox stall
fitted up on occasion of the great concourse
for poor guests.
There was no room for them in the inn — Now also
there is seldom room for Christ in an inn. Matthew 1:25
Verse 11
[11] For
unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour
which is Christ the
Lord.
To you —
Shepherds; Israel; mankind.
Verse 14
[14] Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace
good will toward men.
Glory be to God in the highest; on earth
peace; good will toward men — The shouts of the multitude are generally
broken into short sentences. This rejoicing acclamation strongly represents the
piety and benevolence of these heavenly spirits: as if they had said
Glory be
to God in the highest heavens: let all the angelic legions resound his praises.
For with the Redeemer's birth
peace
and all kind of happiness
come down to
dwell on earth: yea
the overflowings of Divine good will and favour are now
exercised toward men.
Verse 20
[20] And
the shepherds returned
glorifying and praising God for all the things that
they had heard and seen
as it was told unto them.
For all the things that they had heard — From Mary; as it was told them - By the angels.
Verse 21
[21] And
when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child
his name
was called JESUS
which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in
the womb.
To circumcise the child — That he might visibly be made under the law by a sacred rite
which
obliged him to keep the whole law; as also that he might be owned to be the
seed of Abraham
and might put an honour on the solemn dedication of children
to God.
Verse 22
[22] And
when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were
accomplished
they brought him to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord;
The days —
The forty days prescribed
Leviticus 12:2
4.
Verse 23
[23] (As
it is written in the law of the Lord
Every male that openeth the womb shall be
called holy to the Lord;)
Verse 24
[24] And
to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord
A
pair of turtledoves
or two young pigeons.
A pair of turtle doves
or two young pigeons — This offering sufficed for the poor. Leviticus 12:8.
Verse 25
[25] And
behold
there was a man in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon; and the same man
was just and devout
waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost
was upon him.
The consolation of Israel — A common phrase for the Messiah
who was to be the everlasting
consolation of the Israel of God.
The Holy Ghost was upon him — That is
he was a prophet.
Verse 27
[27] And
he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the
child Jesus
to do for him after the custom of the law
By the Spirit — By
a particular revelation or impulse from him.
Verse 30
[30] For
mine eyes have seen thy salvation
Thy salvation —
Thy Christ
thy Saviour.
Verse 32
[32] A
light to lighten the Gentiles
and the glory of thy people Israel.
And the glory of thy people Israel — For after the Gentiles are enlightened
all Israel shall be saved.
Verse 33
[33] And
Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Joseph and his mother marvelled at those
things which were spoken — For they did not thoroughly understand
them.
Verse 34
[34] And
Simeon blessed them
and said unto Mary his mother
Behold
this child is set
for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be
spoken against;
Simeon blessed them —
Joseph and Mary.
This child is set for the fall and rising
again of many — That is
he will be a savour of death to
some
to unbelievers: a savour of life to others
to believers: and for a sign
which shall be spoken against - A sign from God
yet rejected of men: but the
time for declaring this at large was not yet come: that the thoughts of many
hearts may be revealed - The event will be
that by means of that
contradiction
the inmost thoughts of many
whether good or bad
will be made
manifest.
Verse 35
[35]
(Yea
a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also
) that the thoughts of
many hearts may be revealed.
A sword shall pierce through thy own soul — So it did
when he suffered: particularly at his crucifixion.
Verse 37
[37] And
she was a widow of about fourscore and four years
which departed not from the
temple
but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Fourscore and four years — These were the years of her life
not her widowhood only.
Who departed not from the temple — Who attended there at all the stated hours of prayer.
But served God with fastings and prayers — Even at that age.
Night and day —
That is
spending therein a considerable part of the night
as well as of the
day.
Verse 38
[38] And
she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord
and spake of him
to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
To all that were waiting for redemption — The sceptre flow appeared to he departing from Judah
though it was not
actually gone: Daniel's weeks were plainly near their period. And the revival
of the spirit of prophecy
together with the memorable occurrences relating to
the birth of John the Baptist
and of Jesus
could not but encourage and
quicken the expectation of pious persons at this time. Let the example of these
aged saints animate those
whose hoary heads
like theirs
are a crown of
glory
being found in the way of righteousness. Let those venerable lips
so
soon to be silent in the grave
be now employed in the praises of their
Redeemer. Let them labour to leave those behind
to whom Christ will be as
precious as he has been to them; and who will be waiting for God's salvation
when they are gone to enjoy it.
Verse 40
[40] And
the child grew
and waxed strong in spirit
filled with wisdom: and the grace
of God was upon him.
And the child grew — In
bodily strength and stature; and waxed strong in spirit - The powers of his
human mind daily improved; filled with wisdom - By the light of the indwelling
Spirit
which gradually opened itself in his soul; and the grace of God was
upon him - That is
the peculiar favour of God rested upon him
even as man.
Verse 43
[43] And
when they had fulfilled the days
as they returned
the child Jesus tarried
behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
The child Jesus —
St. Luke describes in order Jesus the fruit of the womb
Luke 1:42; an infant
Luke 2:12; a little child
Luke 2:40; a child here
and afterward a man. So
our Lord passed through and sanctified every stage of human life. Old age only
did not become him.
Verse 44
[44] But
they
supposing him to have been in the company
went a day's journey; and they
sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
Supposing him to have been in the company — As the men and women usually travelled in distinct companies.
Verse 46
[46] And
it came to pass
that after three days they found him in the temple
sitting in
the midst of the doctors
both hearing them
and asking them questions.
After three days —
The first day was spent in their journey
the second
in their return to
Jerusalem: and the third
in searching for him there: they found him in the
temple - In an apartment of it: sitting in the midst of the doctors - Not one
word is said of his disputing with them
but only of his asking and answering
questions
which was a very usual thing in these assemblies
and indeed the
very end of them. And if he was
with others
at the feet of these teachers
(where learners generally sat) he might be said to be in the midst of them
as
they sat on benches of a semicircular form
raised above their hearers and
disciples.
Verse 49
[49] And
he said unto them
How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be
about my Father's business?
Why sought ye me? — He
does not blame them for losing
but for thinking it needful to seek him: and
intimates
that he could not be lost
nor found any where
but doing the will
of a higher parent.
Verse 50
[50] And
they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
It is observable that Joseph is not mentioned
after this time; whence it is probable
he did not live long after.
Verse 52
[52] And
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature
and in favour with God and man.
Jesus increased in wisdom — As to his human nature
and in favour with God - In proportion to that
increase. It plainly follows
that though a man were pure
even as Christ was
pure
still he would have room to increase in holiness
and in consequence
thereof to increase in the favour
as well as in the love of God.
── John ‘Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Luke》
Chapter 2. Birth and Growth
Good News of
Great Joy
For All the People
I. The Birth of
Jesus the Savior
II. Jesus
Presented to God
III. Something
about Boy Jesus
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
ANNA.
“ Some times
the sun seems to hang for half an hour in the horizon
only just to show how
glorious it can be. The day is gone
the fervour of the shining is over
and
the sun hangs golden—nay
redder than gold—in the west
making everything look
unspeakably beautiful with the rich effulgence which it sheds on every side. So
God seems to let some people
when their duty in this world is done
hang in
the west
that may look on them
and see how beautiful they are.” Such was the
aged Anna.
Ⅰ. Anna was a prophetess ( Luke 2:36). As a prophet was one who received messages from God
through being in immediate communication with Him
so a prophetess was the
same. Dr. Bullinger says
“ The usage of the word is clear
it signifies one on
whom the Spirit of God rested ( Nun. 11:17
25
26
29); one to whom
God makes known His mysteries ( Amos 3:7
8). Hence it means one to
whom God reveals His truth
and through whom He speaks” ( Gen.20:7
17
18).
Ⅱ. Anna was a servant of God ( verse 37). It It said of
her that she “ served God.” What better epitaph could one have
than a
testimony of having served the Lord?
“Ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col.3:24)was
the apostle’s word to the Christian slaves at Colosse as he urged them to do
their menial tasks as unto the Lord Himself. A carpenter was once asked why he
troubled to finish off a magistrate’s bench so carefully. His reply was
“ I
can’t do otherwise; besides
I may have to sit on it one of these days.” A
better reply was given by the little servant girl when she was asked why she
took such pains in washing the doorstep
“ I am doing it for the Lord Jesus.”
Ah! Of anything be done for
and as to Him it will be done well.
Ⅲ. Anna was self-denying. It is said she fasted
(verse 37). Anna did not fast
as some do
to obtain favour with God. But
knowing the grace of the Lord
she was willing to deny herself food that she
might serve the Lord better.
Ⅳ. Anna was prayerful (verse 37). Her prayers
ascended to God “ night and day.” She was incessant in her pleading
and
attentive in her attendance at the means of grace. An old writer says. “Pray
each morhing before we go out on life’s pathway
we shall unlock the mercies
God has for us; and if we look to Him at the close of the day
we shall know
that we are locked in with God from all harm and evil
as Noah was when the
Lord shut him in the ark.
Ⅴ. Anna was thankful. Simeon was not alone in
his thanks giving
for Anna “gave thanks likewise unto the Lord” ( verse 38). Praise is comely to the Lord. Those who bless God
with their praises are sure to be blessed by God with His mercies. A thankful
man is full of blessing. To be thankless is to be graceless
but to be thankful
is to be graceful.
Ⅵ. Anna was a true witness. “ She spake of Him” (verse
38). Her testimony of Christ as the Redeemer
is implied in that she “ spake of
Him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” A true witness always
tells out what Christ is
what He has done
and what He is able to do
as known
from personal experience.
──
F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》