1Augustus taxeth all the Roman empire: Joseph goeth with Mary to be taxed at Bethlehem. 6The birth of Christ: 8an angel bringeth news thereof to the shepherds: the heavenly host praise God. 15The shepherds, finding it to be as the angel had said, glorify God. 21The circumcision of Christ. 22The purifying of Mary. 25Simeon's prophecy, 36and Anna's, concerning Christ. 39Jesus groweth, and increaseth in wisdom. 41At twelve years of age he goeth with his parents to Jerusalem, and questioneth with the doctors in the temple: 51he is obedient to his parents.
1AND it came to pass 1in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar 2Augustus, that 3all the world 4should be taxed.
1 Namely, while Mary went with child.
2 This was the second Roman Emperor, succeeding Julius Cæsar, the first; and under his government the Roman Empire was in its greatest power and quietness. He reigned about 56 years, and this came to pass about the forty-second year of his empire.
3 Gr. all the inhabited, namely, world, which must be understood as far as the Roman Empire extended itself at that time.
4 Namely, thereby to know the multitude of the subjects of the Roman Empire and their wealth, in order that everyone might be taxed according to the same.
2(And this taxinga was 5first made when 6Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
a registration, census
5 This enrollment is called the first, in respect of another which happened afterwards, whereof mention is made, Acts 5:37 and by Josephus, Antiq. lib. 18, cap. 1.
6 This man, in the Roman history, is called Quirinus, who was governor over whole Syria, whereof Judea at that time was a part.
3And all went to be taxed, every one into 7his own city.
7 Namely, from where he descended and where his family lived.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa ,untob the city of David, which is called 8Bethlehem;c (because he was of the housed and lineage of David:)
b John 7:42.
8 Of this city see Micah 5:1; Mat. 2:1, and is called the city of David, because there David was born and brought up, 1 Sam. 17:12; John 7:42.
c 1 Sam. 16:4, etc.
d Mat. 1:1.
5To be taxed with Mary his 9espoused wife, being great with child.
9 It is very credible that Joseph had now taken her to him, according to the command of the angel, Mat. 1:20, but is notwithstanding here still called espoused, because she so lived with him, as if she had been but espoused.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she broughte forth her 10firstborn son, and wrapped him in 11swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
e Mat. 1:25.
10 See hereof Mat. 1:25.
11 Gr. swathing bands.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord 12came upon them, and the 13glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were soref afraid.
12 Namely, unexpected and suddenly, as the Greek word implies.
13 That is, a Divine luster and brightness.
f very great or severe; extremely*
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I 14bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to 15all people.
14 Gr. evangelize, that is, declare glad tidings.
15 Namely, God’s people. See Mat. 1:21.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is 16Christ the Lord.
16 Or, the Anointed.
12And this shall be 17a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
17 Namely, whereby you shall recognize the Child, and find it to be true what I proclaim unto you.
13And suddenly there was with the angel ag multitude of the heavenly 18host praising God, and saying,
g Dan. 7:10; Rev. 5:11.
18 That is, of the angels, which are as an host of the Lord, by which He defends the godly ones and punishes the wicked. Psalm 34:7 and 103:21.
1419Glory to God in the highest, andh on earth 20peace, 21good will toward men.
19 Or, honor.
h Isa. 57:19; Eph. 2:17.
20 Namely, with God, Rom. 5:1.
21 That is, the good pleasure of God be fulfilled by Him towards people; 2 Thes. 1:11. Other, of the good pleasure, that is, in persons whom God has chosen according to His good pleasure, Eph. 1:5.
15And it came to pass, as the angels 22were gone away from them into heaven, 23the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see 24this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
22 Or, were departed.
23 Gr. the men, the shepherds.
24 That is, the whole matter. Hebraism.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and 25pondered them in her heart.
25 Or, comparing them with the other, namely, which before was revealed to her and came to pass hereabout, Luke 1.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21And when eighti days were 26accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his namej was called 27JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
i Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3; John 7:22.
26 That is, when the eighth day was come. See Acts 2:1.
j Mat. 1:21; Luke 1:31.
27 See hereof and of the interpretation of this Name, Mat. 1 on verse 21.
22And when the days 28of her purificationk according 29to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
28 Namely, of Mary.
k Lev. 12:6.
29 See concerning this law, Lev. 12:2, 4.
23(As it is written inl the law of the Lord, Every 30male that openeth the womb shall be called 31holy to the Lord;)
l Exod. 13:2; Num. 3:13; 8:16, 17.
30 Namely, of men as well as of beasts. Exod. 13:2; Num. 18:15, 16, 17.
31 Namely, either to be offered up, if they were clean beasts, or to be redeemed for five shekels, if they were not allowed be offered up according to the law.
24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the 32law of the Lord, Am pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
32 See Lev. 12:6, 8, where such is ordained for poor persons; for, the rich must offer up a lamb of a year old with a turtledove or a young pigeon, the lamb for a burnt offering and the dove for a sin offering.
m Lev. 12:8.
25And, 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 33the Holy Ghost was upon him.
33 Namely, the Spirit of prophesy.
26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should 34not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
34 That is, not die.
27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him 35after the custom of the law,
35 Gr. according to the usual (manner); whereof previously is spoken.
28Then took he him up in his arms, and 36blessed God, and said,
36 Or, praised.
29Lord, nown37lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
n Gen. 46:30.
37 Gr. loosest, lettest loose, namely, from this miserable life, according to Thy promise. See the same, Philip. 1:23.
30For mine eyes have seen 38thy salvation,o
38 Or, Thy saving, that is, Savior, and that whereby salvation is brought about. See Isa. 52:10; Luke 3:6.
o Psalm 98:2; Isa. 52:10.
31Whichp thou hast prepared before the face of 39all people;
p Acts 28:28.
39 Namely, Gentiles as well as Jews, as follows.
32 Aq light 40to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
q Isa. 42:6; 49:6; Acts 13:47.
40 Gr. reveal.
33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, thisrchild is 41set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for 42a sign whichs shall be spoken against;
r Isa. 8:14; Rom. 9:32; 1 Peter 2:8.
41 That is, ordained, namely, by God. These words are taken out of Isa. 8:14, and are expounded by Paul, Rom. 9:32, 33; 1 Cor. 1:23, 24; 2 Cor. 2:16; 1 Peter 2:6, 7. See the annotations there.
42 Namely, as a mark at which everyone aims and shoots.
s Acts 28:22.
35(Yea, 43a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the 44thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
43 That is, bitter pains, especially for the suffering and death of this thy Son.
44 That is, their belief, or unbelief shall be brought to light. See 1 Cor. 11:19.
36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was 45of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
45 Gr. unto many days.
37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed 46not from the temple, but servedtGod with fastings and prayers night and day.
46 That is, was continually or daily in the temple.
t 1 Sam. 1:22.
38And she coming in that instant gave 47thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for 48redemption in Jerusalem.
47 That is, acknowledged and witnessed that He was the expected Messiah.
48 Namely, which was promised to come to pass by the Messiah.
39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40And the child grew,u and 49waxed strong 50in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
u Luke 1:80.
49 The same is also said in Luke 1:80 of John, but Christ received these gifts not by measure, John 3:34.
50 Or, by the Spirit.
41Now his parents 51went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.v
51 Namely, according to the command of God, Deut. 16:16.
v Exod. 23:15, 17; Lev. 23:5; Deut. 16:1.
42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43And 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.
44But they, supposing him to have been 52in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
52 Namely, of those who returned with them to Nazareth; as the Jews went up to the great feasts and returned in great companies together, Psalm 42:4.
45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors,w both hearing them, and asking them questions.
w teachers.
47Andx all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
x Mat. 7:28; Mark 1:22; Luke 4:22, 32; John 7:15.
48And when 53they saw him, they were 54amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, 55thy father and I have sought thee 56sorrowing.
53 Namely, Joseph and Mary.
54 Namely, because they saw that He, being yet a Child, had undertaken to speak and to deal with such great doctors.
55 Namely, Joseph. Mary speaks thus according to the opinion of the Jews, Luke 3:23, or because a foster father is usually called by the name of father.
56 Gr. being grieved, or distressed.
49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wisty ye not that I must be about 57my Father's business?
y knew*
57 Namely, which God, My heavenly Father, hath commanded Me, and for which I am sent by Him into the world.
50Andz they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
z Luke 9:45; 18:34.
51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was 58subject unto them: but his mother kept all these 59sayings in her heart.
58 Namely, as the children are bound to be obedient to their parents according to the law, to which He had subjected Himself.
59 Gr. words.
52And Jesus increasedaa in wisdom and 60stature, and in favour with God and man.
aa 1 Sam. 2:26; Luke 1:80.
60 Or, in age, for the Greek word signifies both, Luke 19:3; John 9:21, 23.