Luke 2 (ESV)
The Birth of Jesus Christ
2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when1 Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,2 who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.3
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “ Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”4
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “ Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Presented at the Temple
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 ( as it is written in the5 Law of the Lord, “ Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord” ) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the6 Law of the Lord, “ a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 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. 27 And he came in 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “ Lord, now you are letting your servant7 depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “ Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 ( and a sword will pierce through your own soul also ), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.8 She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents9 saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “ Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “ Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”10 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature11 and in favor with God and man.
Footnotes
Luke 2 Commentary
Luke 2 narrates the birth of Jesus, beginning with a decree from Caesar Augustus for a census (Luke 2:1-3), prompting Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-5), where Jesus is born and laid in a manger due to a lack of accommodation (Luke 2:6-7). Shepherds in the fields receive the news of Jesus’ birth from an angel, who reassures them and provides a sign to find the baby (Luke 2:8-12). The shepherds visit and share their experience, causing amazement among those who hear their story (Luke 2:15-18).
Eight days later, Jesus is circumcised and named, as instructed by the angel (Luke 2:21). Joseph and Mary present him at the temple, fulfilling the law of Moses (Luke 2:22-24). Simeon, a righteous man, recognizes Jesus as the Messiah and praises God, foretelling the child’s significance (Luke 2:25-35). Anna, a prophetess, also acknowledges Jesus and speaks of him to those awaiting Jerusalem’s redemption (Luke 2:36-38).
After completing their religious duties, the family returns to Nazareth, where Jesus grows strong and wise (Luke 2:39-40). At twelve, during a Passover festival, Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem, engaging with temple teachers (Luke 2:41-46). His parents, unaware, search for him and find him after three days. Jesus questions their concern, indicating his purpose to be in his Father’s house (Luke 2:48-49). The narrative concludes with Jesus returning to Nazareth, obedient to his parents, and growing in wisdom and favor with God and people (Luke 2:51-52). ⓘ
Context
Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth highlights God’s quiet but purposeful entrance into human history. Rather than arriving in royal splendor or power, Jesus is born in humble obscurity. Why? Because God identifies with ordinary people. His birth in Bethlehem fulfills the promises tied to David’s lineage (Mic 5:2), underscoring that God’s plan is unfolding through what seems ordinary (and even inconvenient). Consider the context: an inconvenient census, a rugged journey, and a lowly manger.
Luke’s description is simple and factual, without embellishment, yet filled with profound theological depth. The Messiah’s first throne is a feeding trough, and His first witnesses are lowly shepherds, revealing that God’s kingdom is built on humility and grace, not power or control like the world might expect.
The contrast between human and divine perspectives is striking. From a worldly view, Jesus’ birth looks insignificant—a poor couple forced to travel under Roman rule, finding no proper lodging. Yet from heaven’s view, this is the moment of divine intervention, when the eternal Word takes on flesh.
God uses even the decree of Caesar Augustus to fulfill His promises, reminding us that His sovereignty extends over all human affairs. The shepherds’ joy and Mary’s quiet reflection embody the proper human response to this miracle: worship, wonder, and meditation. The birth of Jesus, then, is a clear signal that God’s Salvation has entered the world through humility and love.
Heavenly Announcement
Luke goes on to highlight the divine joy of Jesus’ birth. The angelic announcement to the shepherds reveals heaven’s perspective: this child is Savior, Lord, and Christ. These are titles that declare Him as Deliverer, Ruler, and Anointed King. Again, God’s message first comes to ordinary laborers, showing that His Salvation reaches beyond social, national, and cultural boundaries.
The shepherds’ experience models the right human response to God’s revelation. Their curiosity leads to action, and their wonder leads to worship. Finally, after their encounter, their testimony spreads the Good News. Their joy and praise reflect the proper reaction to the reality that God’s promises are being fulfilled in Jesus. The community’s amazement together forms a pattern of faith: hearing, believing, pondering, and proclaiming. Joseph and Mary’s obedience in circumcising and naming Jesus according to God’s command demonstrates faithful submission to God’s Word.
Simeon & Anna
Luke portrays the faithful witness of Simeon and Anna as representatives of Israel’s hope and as models of faith who recognize God’s Salvation in Jesus. Both are elderly and devout, embodying lifelong devotion and expectation for God’s redemption. Simeon’s Spirit-led encounter reveals that to see Jesus is to see God’s Salvation itself, extending not only to Israel but also to the Gentiles. His declaration that Jesus is both the “light for revelation to the Gentiles” and the “glory of Israel” signals the universal scope of God’s redemptive plan.
Yet Simeon’s prophecy also introduces a sobering truth: Jesus will be a point of division, revealing the hearts of all who encounter Him. His coming brings both Salvation and opposition, and even Mary will experience deep personal pain as her son is rejected. This teaches that following Christ involves both joy and suffering. Anna’s witness complements Simeon’s, showing that both men and women share equally in proclaiming God’s redemption. Her continual worship and public testimony display a life rooted in gratitude and anticipation.
My Father’s House
At the end of Luke 2, we get a rare glimpse into Jesus’ life between His birth and public ministry. What is revealed is His deep spiritual awareness, even as a child. His parents, Mary and Joseph, were devout Jews who faithfully traveled each year to Jerusalem for Passover, demonstrating their obedience and reverence for God.
When Jesus was twelve (a formative age for Jewish boys who were beginning to take personal responsibility for observing God’s law), He stayed behind in the temple, engaging the rabbis in serious discussion. This was not a one-sided conversation; Jesus listened, asked questions, and gave thoughtful answers that amazed even the learned teachers.
When His worried parents finally found Him, Mary asked why He had caused them such distress. Jesus gently reminded them that they should have known where to find Him. He was in His Father’s house, doing His Father’s work. This moment shows that Jesus already understood His divine identity and mission, even though His parents didn’t fully grasp it yet.
Mary and Joseph’s inability to fully grasp Jesus’ words reflects a recurring theme in Luke: understanding who Jesus truly is takes time, reflection, and faith. Mary’s decision to “treasure these things in her heart” models how believers should respond (with humility and contemplation). The passage ends with a summary that mirrors its opening: Jesus continues to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with both God and people.
This transition prepares the reader for His later ministry, showing that the same divine favor and wisdom that marked His childhood will define His public mission. Luke uses this story to bridge Jesus’ divine identity with His human experience, showing that from the very beginning, His life was guided by the will of God and destined to fulfill God’s redemptive purpose.
Scripture gives us only these few details about His early life because the Gospels focus on what we truly need to know (His divine mission to bring Salvation). While curiosity about His “silent years” has led to many false stories and legends, the truth remains simple: Jesus lived faithfully as a Jewish son, and prepared quietly for the ministry that would change the world.
