The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Luke 02
1 Now in those days, a decree went out
from Caesar Augustus that all the world
should be enrolled.
2 This was the first enrollment made
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 All wentto enroll them selves, everyone
to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of
the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s
city, which is called Bethlehem, because he
was of the house and family of David,
5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was
pledged to be married tohim as wife, being
pregnant.
6 While they were there, the day had
come for her to give birth.
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She
wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid
him in a feeding trough, because there was
no room for them in the inn.
8 There were shepherds in the same
country staying in the field, and keeping
watch by night over their flock.
9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by
them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were terrified.
10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be
afraid, for behold, I bring you good news
of great joy which will be to all the people.
11 For there is born to you today, in
David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ† the
Lord.
12 This is the sign to you: you will find a
baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a
feeding trough.”
13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly army praising
God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
on earth peace, good will toward
men.”
15 When the angels went away from
them into the sky, the shepherds said
to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem,
now, and see this thing that has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They came with haste and found both
Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying
in the feeding trough.
17 When they saw it, they publicized
widely the saying which was spoken to
them about this child.
18 All who heard it wondered at the
things which were spoken to them by the
shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these sayings,
pondering them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all the things that
they had heard and seen, just as it
was told them.
21 When eight days were fulfilled for the
circumcision of the child, his name was
called Jesus, which was given by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
22 When the days of their purification
according to the law of Moses were fulfilled,
they brought him up to Jerusalem to
present him to the Lord
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord,
“Every male who opens the womb shall be
called holy to the Lord”),*
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.”*
25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon. This man was
righteous and devout, looking for the
consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was
on him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the
Holy Spirit that he should not see death
before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.‡
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple.
When the parents brought in the child,
Jesus, that they might do concerning him
according to the custom of the law,
28 then he received him in to his arms and
blessed God, and said,
29 “Now you are releasing your servant,
Master, according to your word, in peace;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared before the
face of all peoples;
32 a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 Joseph and his mother were marveling
at the things which were spoken
concerning him.
34 Simeon blessed them, and said to
Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is
appointed for the falling and the rising of
many in Israel, and for a sign which is
spoken against.
35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your
own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts
may be revealed.”
36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher
(she was of a great age, having lived with a
husband seven years from her virginity,
37 and she had been a widow for about
eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from
the temple, worshiping with fastings and
petitions night and day.
38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave
thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all
those who were looking for redemption in
Jerusalem.
39 When they had accomplished all
things that were according to the law ofthe
Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their
own city, Nazareth.
40 The child was growing, and was becoming
strong in spirit, being filled with
wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 His parents went every year to
Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42 When he was twelve years old, they
went up to Jerusalem according to the
custom of the feast;
43 and when they had fulfilled the days,
as they were returning, the boy Jesus
stayed behind in Jerusalem. Josephandh is
mother didn’t know it,
44 but supposing him to be in the company,
they went a day’s journey; and they
looked for him among their relatives and
acquaintances.
45 When they didn’t find him, they
returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
46 After three days they found him in
the temple, sitting in the middle of
the teachers, both listening to
them and asking them questions.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his
understanding and his answers.
48 When they saw him, they were astonished;
and his mother said to him, “Son,
why have you treated us this way? Behold,
your father and I were anxiously looking
for you.”
49 He said to them, “Why were you looking
for me? Didn’t you know that I must be
in my Father’s house?”
50 They didn’t understand the saying
which he spoke to them.
51 And he went down with them and
came to Nazareth. He was subject to them,
andhismother kept allthese sayings inher
heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and
stature, and in favor with God and men.