Luke 2

King James Version

Full text for Luke Chapter 2

1¶ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And 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.

8¶ And 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 came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

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 pondered [them] in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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.

22And 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;

23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24And 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¶ 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.

26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27And 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,

28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

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, this [child] is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37And 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.

38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

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, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

41¶ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

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 in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance.

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, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49And he said unto them, ‹How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?›

50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Luke chapter two recounts the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecy, as Joseph and Mary travel for a Roman census. Angels announce the Saviour's birth to shepherds, who then visit the infant and spread the tidings. Later, Jesus is circumcised and presented in the Temple, where Simeon and Anna prophesy concerning his divine purpose. The chapter concludes with Jesus's childhood growth and his profound discussion with religious teachers in the Temple at age twelve.

Medium Summary

Luke chapter two begins with a decree from Caesar Augustus, compelling Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem for a census, where Jesus is born and laid in a manger due to lack of room. Angels then appear to shepherds, announcing the birth of Christ the Lord and proclaiming "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." The shepherds hasten to see the babe and then spread the news, while Mary ponders these events. Eight days later, the child is circumcised and named Jesus, and subsequently presented in the Temple according to the Law of Moses. There, Simeon, guided by the Holy Ghost, blesses God for seeing His salvation and prophesies Jesus's role as a light to Gentiles and glory to Israel, also foretelling Mary's sorrow. The prophetess Anna also gives thanks and speaks of Jesus to those awaiting redemption. The chapter concludes with Jesus, at age twelve, astounding the Temple doctors with his wisdom, declaring he must be about "my Father's business," and growing in wisdom, stature, and favour with God and man.

Long Summary

Luke chapter two commences with a decree from Caesar Augustus for a worldwide taxation, which necessitates Joseph and Mary's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, as Joseph was of that lineage. While in Bethlehem, Mary, being great with child, gives birth to her firstborn son, Jesus, wrapping him in swaddling clothes and laying him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. In the surrounding fields, angels appear to shepherds, announcing "good tidings of great joy" concerning the birth of a Saviour, Christ the Lord, in Bethlehem, identifiable by his humble resting place. A multitude of the heavenly host joins in praising God, declaring "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." The shepherds, upon hearing this, hasten to Bethlehem, find Mary, Joseph, and the babe as described, and then make known abroad the angelic message, causing many to wonder. Mary, however, keeps and ponders all these things in her heart, while the shepherds return, glorifying God. Eight days later, the child is circumcised and named Jesus, as the angel had foretold before his conception. Following the days of Mary's purification according to the Law of Moses, they bring Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and offer the prescribed sacrifice of turtledoves or pigeons. In the Temple, a just and devout man named Simeon, upon whom the Holy Ghost rested, recognizes Jesus as the Lord's Christ, having been promised he would not die before seeing Him. Simeon takes Jesus in his arms, blesses God, and prophesies that this child is God's salvation, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel, also forewarning Mary of a "sword" piercing her soul. Anna, an aged prophetess who served God continually in the Temple, also gives thanks to the Lord and speaks of Jesus to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. After fulfilling all things according to the Law, the family returns to Nazareth, where Jesus grows in wisdom, spirit, and grace. Years later, when Jesus is twelve, he accompanies his parents to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Upon their return journey, Jesus tarries behind in the Temple, unknown to his parents for three days. They find him sitting among the doctors, both hearing and asking them questions, astonishing all who heard his understanding and answers. When questioned by his mother, Jesus responds, "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Though they did not understand his saying, Jesus returns with them to Nazareth, where he remains subject to them, continuing to increase in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man, while his mother cherishes these sayings in her heart.

Core Concepts

  • The Roman CensusA decree from Caesar Augustus required a worldwide taxation, compelling Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem, which providentially led to Jesus's birth there, fulfilling ancient prophecy.
  • The Birth of JesusMary gives birth to her firstborn son, Jesus, in Bethlehem, laying him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn, signifying his humble beginnings.
  • Angelic Proclamation to ShepherdsAngels announce the birth of the Saviour, Christ the Lord, to shepherds in the field, accompanied by a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and proclaiming peace on earth.
  • Presentation in the TempleFollowing Jewish law, Jesus is circumcised and named, then presented in the Temple, where Simeon and Anna recognize him as the Messiah, offering prophecies about his future.
  • Simeon's ProphecyGuided by the Holy Ghost, Simeon blesses Jesus as God's salvation, a light for the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel, also foretelling Mary's future sorrow regarding her son.
  • Jesus at Twelve in the TempleAt age twelve, Jesus demonstrates extraordinary wisdom by engaging with the Temple doctors, declaring his need to be "about my Father's business," revealing his divine consciousness.
  • Jesus's Growth and DevelopmentThe chapter repeatedly notes Jesus's growth in wisdom, stature, and favour with both God and man, highlighting his development both physically and spiritually.